CPU Comparison
Core i7-940XM vs Core i5-2520M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-940XM is a mobile Extreme Edition processor launched in June 2010 as a minor refresh to the 920XM. Built on the 45nm Clarksfield architecture, it offered a slight frequency bump, operating at a 2.133 GHz base and boosting up to 3.333 GHz. Like its predecessor, it features 4 cores, 8 threads, and an 8 MB L3 cache. The processor retains the fully unlocked multiplier, catering to mobile enthusiasts and high-end DTR (Desktop Replacement) laptops. With a 55W TDP and 120W maximum power draw, it demanded robust thermal solutions. The 940XM was the fastest mobile processor available for a brief period before the transition to the Sandy Bridge architecture. It utilized the Socket G1 interface and supported dual-channel DDR3-1333 memory. Today, it is an End-of-Life artifact, representing the peak of Intel's early mobile quad-core efforts before efficiency became the primary design goal.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Slightly faster than the 920XM but still heavily outclassed by modern CPUs.
Handles legacy office and enterprise software reasonably well.
Gaming
Handles legacy games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs and games.
Only suitable for very old or lightweight games.
Virtualization
Adequate for legacy mobile VMs but lacks modern I/O.
Efficiency
Power hungry and inefficient by modern standards.
Inefficient by modern standards, requiring robust laptop cooling.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware support
- Pure legacy x86 performance
Content Creation
Gaming
- Highest clocks for Socket G1
- No integrated graphics
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Low core count
- Outdated graphics
- Bottlenecked by memory speed
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Fastest Socket G1 CPU
- Unlocked multiplier
- High turbo clock
- 8MB L3 cache
Cons
- Extremely power hungry
- No integrated graphics
- Obsolete platform
- Produces excessive heat
Pros
- Enterprise security (TXT)
- I/O virtualization (VT-d)
- Reliable architecture
- Widely available on used market
Cons
- Obsolete for modern work
- High power draw relative to performance
- Soldered BGA package limits repairs
- No modern OS support
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i7-940XM
- Intel Core i7-920XMRival
Mobile Extreme
- Intel Core i7-840QMRival
Mobile High-End
- AMD Phenom II X4 MobileRival
Mobile High-End
- Intel Core i7-740QMRival
Mobile Mid-Range
- Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300Rival
Legacy Mobile Extreme
- Intel Core i7-2820QMAlt
Massive leap in efficiency and performance (Sandy Bridge).
- AMD A8-3550MXAlt
More efficient, though weaker, alternative.
- Intel Core i5-2520MAlt
Dual-core but vastly superior efficiency and single-thread speed.
Core i5-2520M
- AMD A8-3500MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2540MRival
Mobile
- AMD A6-3410MXRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2620MRival
Mobile
- AMD Phenom II N970Rival
Mobile
Ivy Bridge upgrade with better integrated graphics.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-3110MAlt
Budget-friendly option for basic business tasks.
- AMD A10-4600MAlt
Better graphics performance.
- Intel Core i7-2640MAlt
Drop-in upgrade for more threads and speed.
Our Verdict on Each
The fastest Clarksfield chip, offering a minor clock speed bump over the 920XM, but equally obsolete today.
Best for: Upgrading an existing high-end 2010 DTR laptop.
Read the full reviewA highly capable business laptop CPU for its era, offering security and virtualization features that set it apart from consumer mobile chips of the same generation.
Best for: Maintaining legacy business hardware
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-940XM or Core i5-2520M?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-940XM comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. 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 i7-940XM or Core i5-2520M?
For gaming, the Core i7-940XM leads with a gaming performance score of 42/100 among Core i7-940XM and Core i5-2520M.
Which uses less power?
The Core i5-2520M has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core i7-940XM (55 W), Core i5-2520M (35 W).
Do Core i7-940XM and Core i5-2520M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i7-940XM: Intel Socket G1, Core i5-2520M: Intel BGA 1023), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Core i7-940XM has the most cores. Core counts: Core i7-940XM (4 cores), Core i5-2520M (2 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i5-2520M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i5-2520M (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.