CPU Comparison
Core i5-2520M vs Core i5-2450M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-2520M (Socket G2) is the socketed variant of the popular Sandy Bridge business dual-core processor, allowing for CPU upgrades in compatible laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Adequate for lightweight office work and web browsing.
Struggles with modern web applications and heavy office suites.
Gaming
Not suitable for modern 3D games.
Unable to play modern AAA games at acceptable frame rates.
Efficiency
Standard 35W mobile power draw for 2011.
32nm process is highly inefficient by today's standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- Insufficient compute for local AI
Content Creation
Gaming
- Outdated architecture
- Weak iGPU
- Outdated architecture
- Weak integrated graphics
- Insufficient for modern titles
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Socketed for easy upgrades
- Enterprise VT-d and TXT support
- Very cheap on the used market
- Reliable
Cons
- Obsolete performance
- 35W TDP limits battery life in older laptops
- No modern OS support
- Limited to DDR3
Pros
- Hyper-Threading support
- Integrated graphics
- Low cost on used market
Cons
- Obsolete architecture
- High power consumption for performance
- No modern instruction sets
- Very slow by current standards
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i5-2520M
- Intel Core i5-2520M (BGA)Rival
Mobile
- AMD A8-3510MXRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2620MRival
Mobile
- AMD Phenom II N970Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2540MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2640MAlt
Drop-in upgrade with higher clocks and 4MB cache.
- Intel Core i7-2720QMAlt
Quad-core upgrade (if BIOS allows).
Ivy Bridge upgrade requiring a new motherboard.
Compare head-to-headQuad-core option for heavy multitasking.
Compare head-to-head- AMD A10-4600MAlt
Alternative platform with better graphics.
Core i5-2450M
- AMD A8-3520MRival
Mobile
- AMD A6-3420MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-2410MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i3-2330MRival
Mobile
- AMD A8-3500MRival
Mobile
Ivy Bridge upgrade with better efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-3110MAlt
Cheaper dual-core option.
- AMD A10-4600MAlt
Better integrated graphics.
- Intel Core i7-2620MAlt
Higher clock speed and cache.
- AMD A8-3550MXAlt
Stronger multi-threaded performance.
Our Verdict on Each
Identical in performance to the BGA variant, but highly prized today by tinkerers because its rPGA988B socket allows for easy swapping and upgrades to i7 processors.
Best for: Upgrading an existing Socket G2 laptop to an i7
Read the full reviewAn obsolete mobile processor that can still handle extremely basic tasks, but is completely outclassed by modern low-end chips.
Best for: Keeping an old laptop running
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i5-2520M or Core i5-2450M?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i5-2520M comes out ahead with a score of 4.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Core i5-2520M or Core i5-2450M?
For gaming, the Core i5-2520M leads with a gaming performance score of 12/100 among Core i5-2520M and Core i5-2450M.
Do Core i5-2520M and Core i5-2450M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i5-2520M: Intel Socket G2 (988B), Core i5-2450M: Intel BGA 1023), so each needs a compatible motherboard.