CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-540M vs Intel Core i5-560M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-540M is a dual-core mobile processor built on the 32nm Arrandale architecture, featuring Hyper-Threading, Turbo Boost, and an integrated GPU die, designed for mainstream laptops in early 2010.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Basic office tasks remain functional, but anything beyond simple documents will feel slow.
Marginally better than the i5-540M in office tasks, but the difference is barely perceptible in daily use.
Gaming
Cannot handle any modern 3D games. Only suitable for very old or browser-based titles.
The slight clock increase over the i5-540M does not meaningfully change gaming capability. Still unsuitable for any modern title.
Virtualization
Two cores with 3MB L3 cache are insufficient for any practical VM workloads.
VT-x and VT-d are present, but 2 cores and 3MB cache severely limit practical VM workloads.
Efficiency
35W TDP was reasonable for 2010 but is far less efficient than modern mobile chips.
Same 35W TDP as other Arrandale chips. Efficiency is poor by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration instructions
- No AVX support
- Completely unsuitable for any AI workload
- No AI-specific instruction sets
- Cannot run any modern AI inference workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Integrated Intel HD Graphics (first gen) is extremely limited
- No dedicated VRAM, shares system memory
- Unplayable in any modern game title
- May run pre-2010 games at low settings
- First-gen Intel HD Graphics remains the bottleneck
- Slightly higher CPU clock has minimal gaming impact
- Playable only in pre-2010 games at low resolutions
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Historically important 32nm mobile transition chip
- Turbo Boost added dynamic performance
- Hyper-Threading improved multitasking over Core 2 Duo
- Low cost on the used parts market
Cons
- Completely obsolete for modern workloads
- BGA package requires professional rework to replace
- Only 3MB L3 cache
- No AVX instruction support
- Maximum 8GB RAM limitation
- First-gen integrated graphics very weak
Pros
- Socketed package allows CPU upgrades
- Higher clocks than i5-540M at same 35W TDP
- AES-NI hardware encryption support
- VT-x and VT-d virtualization support
- Inexpensive on the used market
Cons
- Obsolete for any modern workload
- Only 3MB shared L3 cache
- No AVX instruction support
- 8GB RAM ceiling
- First-gen Intel HD Graphics very weak
- Sandy Bridge launched just 4 months later
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-540M
- AMD Turion II N530Rival
Budget Mobile
- AMD Athlon II P360Rival
Budget Mobile
- Intel Core i5-520MAlt
Slightly lower clock speed but same architecture, often cheaper on used market.
Higher clock speed for better performance if the same BGA package is available.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-330MAlt
Budget alternative without Turbo Boost but same socket compatibility.
Intel Core i5-560M
- AMD Turion II N540Rival
Budget Mobile
- AMD Phenom II N660Rival
Mainstream Mobile
- Intel Core i7-620MAlt
Same socket, higher 3.33 GHz turbo and 4MB L3 cache for a meaningful upgrade.
Slightly higher turbo boost if available at similar price.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-520MAlt
Lower cost option if the marginal clock difference does not justify the price premium.
Our Verdict on Each
A historically significant 32nm mobile chip that introduced Turbo Boost to mainstream laptops, now strictly relevant for maintaining older notebook hardware.
Best for: Replacing a failed CPU in an existing Arrandale laptop with BGA soldering equipment
Read the full reviewThe socketed variant of the i5-560M holds slight historical interest as one of the last easily swappable mobile Intel CPUs, but offers no practical value for modern computing.
Best for: Upgrading a Socket G1 laptop that currently has a Core i3 or lower-clocked i5
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-540M or Intel Core i5-560M?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-560M comes out ahead with a score of 4/10. 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 i5-540M or Intel Core i5-560M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-560M leads with a gaming performance score of 17/100 among Intel Core i5-540M and Intel Core i5-560M.
Do Intel Core i5-540M and Intel Core i5-560M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-540M: Intel BGA 1288, Intel Core i5-560M: Intel Socket G1 (rPGA988A)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-560M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-540M (1,830), Intel Core i5-560M (1,960). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.