Intel Core i5-540M

Details and Benchmarks for Intel Intel Core i5-540M

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Benchmark Results

Combined benchmark scores based on multiple data points, giving a quick overview of this processor's performance.

Overall Score

Overall score for Intel Core i5-540M based on all benchmark results gathered. Look at this like a meta score, you will find more specific workload ratings below.

4,403 Rank: 1397
Rank Name Score Visual
1393 Core i5-760 4,405
+0%
1394 Phenom II X4 B60 4,404
+0%
1395 Phenom II X4 840 4,404
+0%
1396 Celeron G1820T 4,404
+0%
1397 Intel Core i5-540M 4,403
1398 Core i3-3120M 4,402
+-0%
1399 Core i3 540 4,400
-0.1%
1400 Xeon X5450 4,400
-0.1%
1401 Phenom II X6 1035T 4,400
-0.1%
1402 Core i7-940 4,400
-0.1%

View full ranking →

Multicore Score

Multicore performance score for Intel Core i5-540M based on multi-threaded benchmark results.

4,429 Rank: 1386
Rank Name Score Visual
1382 Core M-5Y10c 4,431
+0%
1383 FX-8800P 4,431
+0%
1384 Phenom II X4 B60 4,430
+0%
1385 A8-6500 4,430
+0%
1386 Intel Core i5-540M 4,429
1387 Core i5 M 450 4,429
+0%
1388 Pentium Silver J5040 4,429
+0%
1389 Celeron B830 4,428
+-0%
1390 Athlon II X3 455 4,428
+-0%
1391 Core i7-3689Y 4,428
+-0%

View full ranking →

Singlecore Score

Single-core performance score for Intel Core i5-540M based on single-threaded benchmark results.

4,385 Rank: 1406
Rank Name Score Visual
1402 Core M-5Y10 4,389
+0.1%
1403 FX-6350 4,388
+0.1%
1404 A12-9700P 4,388
+0.1%
1405 Phenom II X4 B60 4,386
+0%
1406 Intel Core i5-540M 4,385
1407 Core i3-6006U 4,385
+0%
1408 Phenom II X2 560 4,384
+-0%
1409 Pentium 2020M 4,383
+-0%
1410 Core 2 Duo E8600 4,382
-0.1%
1411 Pentium G620 4,381
-0.1%

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Workload Scores

Performance scores grouped by workload type, normalized and aggregated from multiple raw benchmark results.

Number Crunching

Aggregated score for Intel Core i5-540M based on integer math, floating point math, and prime number computation benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Number Crunching score not yet available.

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Data Processing

Aggregated score for Intel Core i5-540M based on data encryption, data compression, and string sorting benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Data Processing score not yet available.

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Physics & Compute

Aggregated score for Intel Core i5-540M based on physics simulation and extended instruction set (SSE/AVX) benchmarks.

-- Rank: --

Physics & Compute score not yet available.

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Intel Core i5-540M Details

The Intel Core i5-540M, released in 2010 as part of the Arrandale architecture, sits at the lower end of modern performance benchmarks despite its historical significance in the mobile processor landscape. As of March 2026, it is a nearly 16-year-old processor, making it obsolete by today’s standards. Its 32 nm process and 2.53 GHz base clock, boosted to 3.07 GHz via Turbo Boost, reflect the technology of its era, where power efficiency and integration were just beginning to gain prominence. With a 35 W TDP and a 2-core/4-thread design, the i5-540M was designed for mainstream mobile use, offering a balance between performance and battery life in laptops of the time.

In today’s benchmark rankings, the Core i5-540M scores 4403 overall, placing it at #1397 out of 2060 processors. Its single-core score of 4385 ranks at #1406, while its multicore score of 4429 lands at #1386. This indicates that the processor performs comparably to some mid-tier mobile and desktop CPUs from the early 2010s, such as the Phenom II X4 B60 and Celeron G1820T. However, it trails significantly behind modern offerings—such as the Core Ultra 9 285K, which scores over double in all categories. The processor's performance is now largely confined to legacy systems or low-intensity tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and basic multimedia playback.

The i5-540M integrates Intel’s HD Graphics (Ironlake) GPU, featuring 12 execution units and a base frequency of 500 MHz, capable of reaching 766 MHz under load. It supports up to two displays and is suitable for basic graphical tasks but cannot handle modern games or video editing. Its memory support includes DDR3-1066 with a maximum capacity of 8 GB and a dual-channel configuration, yielding a peak bandwidth of 15.88 GB/s. While this was adequate for its time, it falls far short of today’s standards, which now include DDR5 and quad-channel support.

Key features include Intel’s Hyper-Threading, Turbo Boost 1.0, and a locked clock multiplier—typical of mainstream mobile CPUs from the period. It supports a range of x86-64 instructions, including AES-NI, SSE4.1/4.2, and VT-x, enabling basic virtualization and encryption tasks. The processor also supports ECC memory, though this is rare in mobile SKUs. Despite its age, the i5-540M remains a notable example of Intel’s transition into integrated graphics and power-efficient designs, laying the groundwork for future mobile processors.

In summary, the Core i5-540M is best suited for legacy systems or users needing minimal computing power. While it holds historical relevance, it is no longer competitive with current processors, even in entry-level segments. For modern applications, even budget CPUs like the Core i3-5015U offer significantly better performance. As of 2026, it serves more as a nostalgic relic than a practical choice for new builds.
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Intel Intel Core i5-540M

Main Specifications

Designer: Intel
Name: Intel Core i5-540M
Family: Core
Series: i5-500
Model Number: i5-540M
Cores: 2
Threads: 4
Base Frequency: 2533.33 MHz
Turbo Frequency (1 core): 3066.66 MHz
Turbo Frequency (2 cores): 2799.99 MHz
Clock Multiplier: 19x (locked)
Microarchitecture: Westmere
Core Name: Arrandale
Core Family: 6
Core Model: 37
Package: rPGA-988A and BGA-1288
Chipset: Ibex
Target Segment: Mobile
Max CPUs: 1
TDP: 35 W
Release Price: $257.00

Cache Specifications

L1 Cache: 128 KiB
L1 Instruction Cache: 64 KiB (4-way set associative)
L1 Data Cache: 64 KiB (8-way set associative)
L2 Cache: 0.5 MiB (8-way set associative)
L3 Cache: 3 MiB (12-way set associative)

Memory Specifications

Supported Memory Type: DDR3-1066
Memory Channels: 2
Maximum Memory: 8 GB
Maximum Bandwidth: 15.88 GB/s
ECC Support: No

Integrated Graphics

GPU: HD
GPU Designer: Intel
GPU Max Frequency: 766 MHz
Execution Units: 12

Physical Specifications

Process: 32 nm
Die Area: 81 mm²
Transistor Count: 0.38 billion
Manufacturer: Intel
Technology: CMOS
Word Size: 64-bit
ISA: x86-64 (x86)

CPU Features

MMX EMMX SSE SSE2 SSE3 SSSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2 AES x86-16 x86-32 x86-64 Real Protected SMM FPU NX HT EIST TXT vPro VT-x VT-d EPT Flex Memory TBT 1.0 FMA BPT
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