CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-580M vs Core i7-620M
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-580M in BGA 1288 packaging is the highest-clocked soldered Arrandale dual-core mobile processor, combining 3.333 GHz Turbo Boost with a surface-mount package designed for thin 2010-era laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Highest single-threaded Arrandale i5 performance helps slightly in office tasks, but the difference from lower SKUs is minimal in practice.
Struggles with modern web and office software.
Gaming
Identical to the socketed i5-580M. First-gen Intel HD Graphics prevents any meaningful gaming experience with modern titles.
Can run very old games, but lacks modern instructions.
Virtualization
VT-x and VT-d present, but 2 cores and 3MB cache make any serious virtualization impractical.
Can run basic VMs but lacks RAM support.
Efficiency
Same 35W TDP as all Arrandale i5s. Higher turbo at same power shows good process binning.
35W for 2 cores is inefficient by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration capabilities
- No AI capabilities.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Performance identical to socketed i5-580M
- 3.333 GHz turbo irrelevant when GPU is the bottleneck
- Only viable for very old or lightweight games
- Ironlake graphics are too weak; relies on discrete GPUs. Lacks AVX2.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Highest Turbo Boost in any Arrandale i5 BGA variant
- Best-binned 32nm silicon in a compact package
- AES-NI, VT-x, VT-d included
- Same 35W TDP as lower-clocked variants
Cons
- BGA package requires professional rework for replacement
- Zero upgrade path
- Only 3MB L3 cache
- No AVX support
- 8GB RAM ceiling
- Launched mere months before Sandy Bridge obsolescence
- Used market pricing may not reflect actual value
Pros
- Very high clock speeds for 2010
- Good single-threaded performance
- Socketed design allows replacement
- Included AES-NI
Cons
- Only 2 cores
- Obsolete integrated graphics
- High 35W TDP for a dual-core
- Lacks modern instruction sets
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-580M
- AMD Turion II N570Rival
Performance Mobile
- AMD Phenom II N660Rival
Mainstream Mobile
- Intel Core i5-560M BGAAlt
133 MHz less turbo but potentially much cheaper and functionally similar for repair purposes.
- Intel Core i7-620M BGAAlt
Same turbo clock but with 4MB L3 cache if available for the specific motherboard.
- Intel Core i5-540M BGAAlt
Significantly cheaper on the used market with only modest performance reduction.
Core i7-620M
- Intel Core 2 Duo P9700Rival
Mobile
- AMD Phenom II P920Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-430MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-640MRival
Mobile
- AMD Turion II Ultra M640Rival
Mobile
Modern mobile alternative with massive multi-core gains.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5625UAlt
Modern efficient mobile chip.
- Intel Core i7-2620MAlt
Sandy Bridge successor.
- Intel N100Alt
Modern budget alternative.
- Alt
Modern ARM comparison.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
The BGA i5-580M delivers the same impressive 3.333 GHz turbo as the socketed variant but in a non-upgradeable package, making it solely relevant for repair and preservation of specific laptop models.
Best for: Exact replacement for a failed BGA i5-580M (SLC29) in a specific laptop model during board-level repair
Read the full reviewA high-performance standard-voltage mobile CPU for 2010, but completely obsolete by modern standards.
Best for: Legacy laptop repair
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-580M or Core i7-620M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-580M leads with a gaming performance score of 19/100 among Intel Core i5-580M and Core i7-620M.
Do Intel Core i5-580M and Core i7-620M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-580M: Intel BGA 1288, Core i7-620M: Socket G1 (rPGA988A)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-620M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-580M (2,070), Core i7-620M (2,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.