Quick Verdict
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.
Overview
Launch
2010
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
1st Gen Core i5 (Arrandale)
Market
Mobile
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.
Released in September 2010 as a refresh of the Arrandale lineup, the Core i5-560M in its Socket G1 (rPGA988A) form raised the base clock to 2.667 GHz and Turbo Boost to 3.2 GHz.
The socketed package meant end-users could theoretically upgrade their laptop CPUs, a feature that would become increasingly rare in subsequent Intel mobile generations.
Specifications
Performance
Marginally better than the i5-540M in office tasks, but the difference is barely perceptible in daily use.
VT-x and VT-d are present, but 2 cores and 3MB cache severely limit practical VM workloads.
The slight clock increase over the i5-540M does not meaningfully change gaming capability. Still unsuitable for any modern title.
Same 35W TDP as other Arrandale chips. Efficiency is poor by modern standards.
- •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
- •No AI-specific instruction sets
- •Cannot run any modern AI inference workloads
Architecture
32nm
Process Node
Arrandale
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
3 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i5-560M uses the same Arrandale dual-die package as other first-gen Core i5 mobile processors: a 32nm Westmere CPU die and a 45nm Ironlake GPU die. The 20x base multiplier delivers 2.667 GHz, and Turbo Boost can push a single active core to 3.2 GHz. This Socket G1 variant uses the rPGA988A package with 988 contact pins, allowing physical removal and replacement.
CPU Design
Two Westmere cores with Hyper-Threading, 64KB L1 and 256KB L2 per core, and a shared 3MB L3 Smart Cache. The 20.0x multiplier is locked but BCLK adjustment was theoretically possible.
Memory Subsystem
Integrated dual-channel DDR3 controller supporting 800 and 1066 MHz DIMMs, with 8GB maximum addressable memory.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 2.0 lanes from the CPU, typically used for a discrete GPU or Wi-Fi card in laptop designs.
Overclocking
Multiplier locked. BCLK overclocking was possible on some HM55-based laptops but rarely stable or worthwhile.
- 134 MHz higher base clock (2.667 vs 2.533 GHz)
- 127 MHz higher turbo boost (3.2 vs 3.073 GHz)
- Same TDP despite higher clocks
- Identical feature set otherwise
Key Highlights
- 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
- 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
History
The Core i5-560M arrived in September 2010 as part of a quiet mid-cycle refresh for the Arrandale platform, which had launched in January of the same year. With Sandy Bridge already announced and just four months from its own January 2011 debut, the i5-560M filled an awkward transitional gap. Intel raised the base clock from 2.
53 to 2.667 GHz and turbo from 3.07 to 3.
2 GHz, modest improvements that likely came from improved 32nm yields rather than any architectural change.</br></br>The Socket G1 variant was particularly significant because it represented one of the final moments when laptop CPU upgrades were a realistic consideration for consumers. OEMs like Lenovo with the ThinkPad T410 and T510, Dell with the Latitude E6410, and HP with the ProBook 6540b all offered Socket G1 configurations, and enthusiasts could later swap in a Core i7-620M for a meaningful performance boost.
This upgrade path would essentially vanish within a year as Intel and AMD both shifted almost entirely to BGA soldered packages for mobile.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 134 MHz higher base clock (2.667 vs 2.533 GHz)
- 127 MHz higher turbo boost (3.2 vs 3.073 GHz)
- Same TDP despite higher clocks
- Identical feature set otherwise
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Upgrading a Socket G1 laptop that currently has a Core i3 or lower-clocked i5
Avoid if…
- Purchasing any new laptop
- Running modern applications
- Gaming or content creation
- The existing CPU already performs adequately for your needs
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-560M Socket G1 variant was one of the last Intel mobile CPUs where consumers could realistically perform a DIY upgrade.
With Sandy Bridge launching in January 2011, the September 2010 release of the i5-560M made it one of the shortest-lived mobile CPU refreshes.
Part numbers SLBTS and Q4CD denote the same silicon with different distribution channels—SLBTS for boxed/tray and Q4CD for OEM qualification.
The rPGA988A socket name refers to the 988-pin grid array, which was shared across all Arrandale mobile processors regardless of core count.
Despite having a higher clock than the i5-540M, the i5-560M's Turbo Boost of exactly 3.2 GHz suggests Intel was binning for cleaner frequency targets in the refresh.
People Also Ask
Is the Core i5-560M upgradeable?
Yes, the Socket G1 (rPGA988A) variant can be physically replaced with other Arrandale processors like the Core i7-620M, assuming BIOS support and thermal capacity allow it.
What is the difference between i5-560M and i5-580M?
Both share the same 2.667 GHz base clock, but the i5-580M has a higher Turbo Boost of 3.333 GHz compared to the i5-560M's 3.2 GHz.
Can the i5-560M run Windows 10?
Yes, Windows 10 runs on the i5-560M, though performance will be limited. Windows 11 is not officially supported.
What is the TDP of the Core i5-560M?
35 watts, standard for Arrandale mainstream mobile processors.
Does the i5-560M have AES-NI?
Yes, Intel included AES-NI hardware acceleration on the i5-560M, which was notable for a mid-range mobile chip in 2010.
What is the max Turbo Boost of the i5-560M?
Up to 3.2 GHz when thermal and electrical headroom permit, activating when only one or two cores are under heavy load.
What laptops used the Core i5-560M?
Various 2010-2011 business and consumer laptops from Dell (Latitude E-series), HP (ProBook), Lenovo (ThinkPad T410/T510), and others with Socket G1 motherboards.
Is the i5-560M better than i5-540M?
Marginally. The 134 MHz higher base clock and 127 MHz higher turbo provide a roughly 5% performance improvement, which is barely noticeable in most tasks.
What graphics does the i5-560M have?
First-generation Intel HD Graphics integrated on the 45nm GPU die within the Arrandale package, with base frequency of 500 MHz and turbo of 766 MHz.
Can I put an i7 in a laptop with i5-560M?
Possibly, if the laptop uses Socket G1 and the BIOS supports the Core i7-620M. However, thermal limitations may prevent stable operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What socket does the i5-560M use?
Intel Socket G1, also known as rPGA988A, a 988-pin pin grid array socket for mobile processors.
What is the multiplier of the i5-560M?
20.0x, resulting in 2.667 GHz with the 133 MHz base clock.
Does the i5-560M support Hyper-Threading?
Yes, 2 cores with Hyper-Threading present 4 logical threads to the OS.
What is the cache configuration of the i5-560M?
64KB L1 per core, 256KB L2 per core, and 3MB shared L3 Smart Cache.
What are the part numbers for the i5-560M Socket G1?
SLBTS and Q4CD.
Does the i5-560M support DDR3-1333?
Officially only DDR3-800 and DDR3-1066. DDR3-1333 may work on some systems but is not guaranteed.
What is the die size of the i5-560M?
81 mm² for the 32nm CPU die, identical to all Arrandale dual-core processors.
How many PCIe lanes does the i5-560M provide?
16 PCIe 2.0 lanes directly from the CPU.
When was the Core i5-560M released?
September 26, 2010.
Is the i5-560M multiplier unlocked?
No, the multiplier is locked at 20.0x. Only Intel Extreme Edition mobile CPUs of that era had unlocked multipliers.