CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-560M vs Intel Core i5-580M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-560M in BGA 1288 packaging is a soldered dual-core Arrandale mobile processor with 2.67 GHz base and 3.2 GHz Turbo Boost, selected by OEMs for slim laptop designs where socketed CPUs were unnecessary.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Same 5% improvement over the i5-540M, noticeable only in benchmarks.
The highest single-threaded performance of any Arrandale i5 translates to slightly better responsiveness in office applications.
Gaming
Identical gaming capability to the Socket G1 variant. First-gen Intel HD Graphics remains the primary limitation.
The extra 133 MHz turbo provides a negligible improvement in gaming, as the first-gen Intel HD GPU remains the binding constraint.
Virtualization
VT-x and VT-d present but 2 cores severely constrain any meaningful virtualization.
Still fundamentally limited by 2 cores and 3MB cache, but the higher clock helps slightly in CPU-bound VM tasks.
Efficiency
35W TDP is identical across all Arrandale i5 SKUs. No efficiency advantage over lower-clocked variants.
Same 35W TDP as all Arrandale i5s. Higher clocks at the same power budget show good 32nm process maturity.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration capabilities whatsoever
- No AI acceleration of any kind
- Completely unsuitable for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Identical to socketed i5-560M in gaming performance
- Integrated GPU is the bottleneck, not the CPU
- Unplayable in any post-2012 game
- 3.333 GHz turbo does not overcome integrated graphics limitations
- Slightly better CPU-bound game performance than i5-560M
- Still unplayable in any modern 3D title
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Slightly higher clocks than i5-540M at same TDP
- AES-NI hardware acceleration
- VT-x and VT-d virtualization
- Mature 32nm process meant good binning quality
Cons
- BGA package requires professional rework to replace
- No upgrade path whatsoever
- Only 3MB L3 cache
- No AVX support
- 8GB RAM maximum
- Launched just months before Sandy Bridge made it obsolete
Pros
- Highest Turbo Boost in the Arrandale i5 lineup
- Socket G1 allows direct upgrade installation
- Best-binned silicon from mature 32nm process
- AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d all included
- Higher clocks at same 35W TDP as lower SKUs
Cons
- Completely obsolete for modern computing
- Only 3MB L3 cache (same as cheaper i5s)
- No AVX instruction support
- 8GB RAM limitation
- First-gen Intel HD Graphics severely limits any graphical task
- Sandy Bridge made it redundant within 4 months
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-560M
- AMD Turion II N540Rival
Budget Mobile
- AMD Athlon II P360Rival
Budget Mobile
- Intel Core i5-580M BGAAlt
Higher 3.333 GHz turbo if compatible with the specific laptop motherboard.
- Intel Core i5-540M BGAAlt
Functionally similar and potentially cheaper for repair purposes.
- Intel Core i7-640LMAlt
Lower 25W TDP variant if thermal constraints are a concern, though with lower clocks.
Intel Core i5-580M
- AMD Phenom II N660Rival
Mainstream Mobile
- AMD Turion II N570Rival
Performance Mobile
- Intel Core i7-620MAlt
Same socket, same turbo clock, but with 4MB L3 cache for a more meaningful upgrade.
133 MHz less turbo for potentially significantly less money on the used market.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i7-640MAlt
Even higher 3.467 GHz turbo and 4MB cache if budget allows.
Our Verdict on Each
The BGA variant of the i5-560M offers identical performance to its socketed counterpart but cannot be upgraded, making it relevant only for repair scenarios on existing hardware.
Best for: Board-level repair of a specific Arrandale laptop that originally shipped with this exact BGA part
Read the full reviewThe i5-580M is the best Arrandale Core i5 you can buy for a Socket G1 laptop, offering the highest turbo frequency in the lineup, though it remains obsolete for modern use.
Best for: As a final upgrade for a Socket G1 laptop where maximum Arrandale performance is desired
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-560M or Intel Core i5-580M?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-580M 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, Intel Core i5-560M or Intel Core i5-580M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-580M leads with a gaming performance score of 19/100 among Intel Core i5-560M and Intel Core i5-580M.
Do Intel Core i5-560M and Intel Core i5-580M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-560M: Intel BGA 1288, Intel Core i5-580M: Intel Socket G1 (rPGA988A)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-580M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-560M (1,960), Intel Core i5-580M (2,070). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.