CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-1235U vs Intel Core i5-2540M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-1235U is a low-power mobile processor from the 12th Generation Alder Lake-U family, launched in February 2022.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles office tasks and heavy browser tabs effortlessly.
Handles basic office tasks but struggles with large spreadsheets, heavy documents, or multitasking with many browser tabs.
Gaming
Only suitable for very light or older 2D games.
Cannot run modern AAA titles. Only suitable for very old or lightweight games at low resolutions.
Virtualization
Can run a light VM, but core count is low for heavy dev work.
Can run a single lightweight VM but lacks the cores and memory bandwidth for serious virtualization.
Efficiency
Top-tier efficiency, allowing for all-day battery life in ultrabooks.
35 W TDP is high by modern mobile standards; current chips deliver far more performance per watt.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Handles background blur and basic audio enhancement.
- Not suited for AI development or inference.
- No AI acceleration instructions
- No NPU or matrix multiplication support
- Cannot run modern AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Xe 80EU is sufficient for hardware video decoding.
- Not recommended for 3D gaming.
- Can handle Minecraft or CS:GO at low settings.
- Intel HD 3000 lacks modern API support
- No DirectX 12 or Vulkan support
- Only playable with pre-2012 titles at low settings
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Excellent power efficiency (15W base TDP)
- 10 cores provide great multitasking
- Supports fast LPDDR5 memory
- Good single-core burst performance
- Hardware AV1 decoding
Cons
- Only 2 P-cores limit heavy workloads
- Basic integrated graphics
- Locked multiplier
- Soldered to the motherboard
Pros
- AES-NI hardware encryption support
- Reliable and well-tested platform
- Widely available as spare parts
- Intel HD 3000 was a meaningful graphics improvement for its era
- VT-x and VT-d virtualization support
Cons
- Only 2 cores and 4 threads
- No DirectX 12 or modern graphics API support
- 35 W TDP is high for the performance delivered
- Maximum 16 GB DDR3 memory support
- Completely obsolete for any modern demanding workload
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-1235U
- AMD Ryzen 5 5625URival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5825URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-1255URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headApple M2Rival
Mobile
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3Rival
Mobile
Even lower power (9W) for longer battery life in thinner designs.
Compare head-to-headBetter sustained performance if you need more multi-core power.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 6600UAlt
Better integrated graphics for light gaming.
- Alt
Superior efficiency and battery life in the Apple ecosystem.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-2540M
- AMD Phenom II N970Rival
Mobile Mainstream
- AMD A6-3410MXRival
Mobile APU
- AMD A8-3510MXRival
Mobile APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-560MRival
Previous Generation Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2620MRival
Mobile Performance
Ivy Bridge successor with 22nm process, better integrated graphics, and slightly improved performance.
Compare head-to-headHigher-clocked Ivy Bridge option, still compatible with Socket G2 motherboards.
Compare head-to-head- Any modern AMD Ryzen 5 laptopAlt
Massive performance improvement in every metric for a new laptop purchase.
Modern equivalent tier with 10 cores, vastly superior efficiency and graphics.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A highly efficient 15W processor that brings 10-core hybrid architecture to mainstream laptops, offering excellent battery life and solid daily performance.
Best for: Buying a thin-and-light laptop for school, office work, or general everyday use.
Read the full reviewThe i5-2540M was a solid mid-range mobile chip in 2011, but it is now thoroughly outclassed by modern processors in every metric including efficiency, single-thread speed, and integrated graphics capability.
Best for: Upgrading an existing Socket G2 laptop at minimal cost
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-1235U or Intel Core i5-2540M?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-1235U comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. 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 i5-1235U or Intel Core i5-2540M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-1235U leads with a gaming performance score of 45/100 among Intel Core i5-1235U and Intel Core i5-2540M.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-1235U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-1235U (15 W), Intel Core i5-2540M (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-1235U and Intel Core i5-2540M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-1235U: Intel BGA 1744, Intel Core i5-2540M: Intel Socket G2 (988B)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-1235U has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-1235U (10 cores), Intel Core i5-2540M (2 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-2540M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-2540M (3,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.