CPU Comparison
Core i5-2520M vs Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA)
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-2520M is a versatile dual-core mobile processor featuring enterprise-grade virtualization support, Hyper-Threading, and Intel HD 3000 graphics.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles legacy office and enterprise software reasonably well.
Good for basic office work but slow for heavy web apps.
Gaming
Only suitable for very old or lightweight games.
Handles old games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Virtualization
VT-d support makes it decent for legacy VMs.
Efficiency
Inefficient by modern standards, requiring robust laptop cooling.
45W TDP is high, leading to poor battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Too slow for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Low core count
- Outdated graphics
- Bottlenecked by memory speed
- Good for 2011 games
- Lacks AVX2 for modern titles
- HD 3000 is obsolete
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Good multi-threaded performance for 2011
- Supports VT-d for virtualization
- High turbo boost clock
- Socketed design allows replacement
Cons
- 45W TDP limits battery life
- Integrated graphics are obsolete
- Lacks AVX2 support
- End-of-life and unsupported
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA)
- AMD A8-3530MXRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2630QMRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-2710QERival
Mobile
- AMD Phenom II N930Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-2820QMRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3610QMAlt
Ivy Bridge successor with better efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
Modern budget mobile alternative.
- Intel Core i5-2520MAlt
Dual-core alternative for lighter laptops.
- Intel Pentium Silver N5000Alt
Modern low-power alternative.
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewA premium mobile CPU that offered excellent clocks and VT-d support, now obsolete.
Best for: The Core i7-2720QM is an obsolete processor that should not be sought out for new purchases. However, if you already own a laptop with this chip, it remains viable for basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media playback. Its VT-d support makes it interesting for legacy virtualization projects, provided the laptop has enough RAM. If your laptop still functions, adding an SSD and maxing out the RAM can breathe new life into it. For any new computing needs, modern laptops offer vastly superior performance, battery life, and features. The i7-2720QM is best left as a component in functioning legacy devices rather than a target for upgrades.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i5-2520M or Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA)?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA) comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. 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 Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA)?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA) leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Core i5-2520M and Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA).
Which uses less power?
The Core i5-2520M has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core i5-2520M (35 W), Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA) (45 W).
Do Core i5-2520M and Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA) use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i5-2520M: Intel BGA 1023, Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA): Socket G2 (988B)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA) has the most cores. Core counts: Core i5-2520M (2 cores), Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA) (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA) posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i5-2520M (0), Intel Core i7-2720QM (rPGA) (4,100). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.