Intel Core i5-2540M vs Intel Core i5-2550k. Specifications, performance, tests

Comprehensive background on the processors being compared, detailing their series, generation, and targeted market segment.

• Segment
  Mobile Desktop / Server
• Family
  Intel Core i5 Intel Core i5
• Generation
  2 2
• CPU group
  Intel Core i 2000M Intel Core i 2000

Essential parameters including the number of cores, threads, base and turbo frequencies, and cache size. These metrics provide insight into the processor’s speed—higher values generally indicate better performance.

• Frequency
  2.60 GHz 3.40 GHz
• CPU Cores
  2 4
• Turbo (1 Core)
  3.30 GHz 3.80 GHz
• CPU Threads
  4 4
• Hyperthreading
  Yes No
• Overclocking
  No Yes
• Core architecture
  normal normal

The integrated graphics (iGPU) do not influence the CPU performance significantly; they serve as a substitute for a dedicated graphics card in the absence of one or are utilized in mobile devices.

• GPU name
  Intel HD Graphics 3000 no iGPU
• GPU frequency
  0.65 GHz
• GPU (Turbo)
  1.30 GHz No turbo
• Execution units
  12
• Shader
  96
• Max. displays
  2
• Generation
  6
• DirectX Version
  10.1
• Technology
  32 nm
• Release date
  Q1/2011

This section details the built-in codecs used for encoding and decoding media content, which significantly enhance processing speed and efficiency.

• h265 / HEVC (8 bit)
  No No
• h265 / HEVC (10 bit)
  No No
• h264
  Decode / Encode No
• VP9
  No No
• VP8
  No No
• AV1
  No No
• AVC
  Decode / Encode No
• VC-1
  Decode No
• JPEG
  No No

Overview of the types and quantities of RAM supported by Intel Core i5-2550k and Intel Core i5-2540M. The supported memory frequencies may vary depending on the motherboard configuration.

• Memory type
  DDR3-1066DDR3-1333 DDR3-1333
• Max. Memory
  16 GB 32 GB
• ECC
  No No
• Memory channels
  2 2
• PCIe version
  2.0 2.0
• PCIe lanes
  16 16

• AES-NI
  Yes Yes

Analyze the TDP (Thermal Design Power) requirements of Intel Core i5-2540M and Intel Core i5-2550k to make an informed decision on the appropriate cooling system. Remember that TDP refers to thermal watts, not electrical watts.

• TDP (PL1)
  35 W 95 W
• Tjunction max.
  100 °C --

Information on architecture, interfaces, and additional instructions supported by Intel Core i5-2540M and Intel Core i5-2550k, including virtual machine technologies and fabrication processes.

• Instruction set (ISA)
  x86-64 (64 bit) x86-64 (64 bit)
• Virtualization
  VT-x, VT-x EPT VT-x, VT-x EPT
• ISA extensions
  SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
• L3-Cache
  3.00 MB 6.00 MB
• Architecture
  Sandy Bridge H Sandy Bridge S
• Technology
  32 nm 32 nm
• Socket
  BGA 1023 LGA 1155
• Release date
  Q1/2011 Q1/2012