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 is a socketed dual-core Arrandale mobile processor featuring a 2.67 GHz base clock with 3.2 GHz Turbo Boost, Hyper-Threading for 4 threads, and an integrated GPU die, designed for upgradeable mainstream laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Marginally better than the i5-540M in office tasks, but the difference is barely perceptible in daily use.
The highest single-threaded performance of any Arrandale i5 translates to slightly better responsiveness in office applications.
Gaming
The slight clock increase over the i5-540M does not meaningfully change gaming capability. Still unsuitable for any modern title.
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 are present, but 2 cores and 3MB cache severely limit practical VM workloads.
Still fundamentally limited by 2 cores and 3MB cache, but the higher clock helps slightly in CPU-bound VM tasks.
Efficiency
Same 35W TDP as other Arrandale chips. Efficiency is poor by modern standards.
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-specific instruction sets
- Cannot run any modern AI inference workloads
- No AI acceleration of any kind
- Completely unsuitable for AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- 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
- 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
- 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
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 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.
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 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 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?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel Socket G1 (rPGA988A) socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
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.