i5-2520M vs Apple M2

VS

Aggregate performance score

Apple M2
2022
8 cores / 8 threads, 20 Watt
9.40
+567%
Core i5-2520M
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.41

Apple M2 outperforms Core i5-2520M by a whopping 567% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Apple M2 and Core i5-2520M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking8142221
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesApple Apple M-SeriesIntel Core i5
Power efficiency44.483.81
Architecture codenameno dataSandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date10 June 2022 (2 years ago)1 February 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)no data$225

Detailed specifications

Apple M2 and Core i5-2520M basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores8 (Octa-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads84
Base clock speed2.424 GHz2.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.48 GHz3.2 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 2.0
Bus rateno data4 × 5 GT/s
Multiplierno data25
L1 cache2 MB64K (per core)
L2 cache20 MB256K (per core)
L3 cacheno data3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography5 nm32 nm
Die sizeno data149 mm2
Maximum core temperatureno data100 °C
Number of transistors20000 Million624 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibilityno data-

Compatibility

Information on Apple M2 and Core i5-2520M compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configurationno data1 (Uniprocessor)
Socketno dataPPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)20 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Apple M2 and Core i5-2520M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsno dataIntel® AVX
AES-NI-+
FMA-+
AVX-+
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)no data+
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technologyno data2.0
Hyper-Threading Technologyno data+
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Apple M2 and Core i5-2520M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDBno data+
Identity Protection-+
Anti-Theftno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Apple M2 and Core i5-2520M are enumerated here.

AMD-V-+
VT-dno data+
VT-xno data+
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Apple M2 and Core i5-2520M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesno dataDDR3
Maximum memory sizeno data16 GB
Max memory channelsno data2
Maximum memory bandwidthno data21.335 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardApple M2 10-Core GPU ( - 1398 MHz)Intel HD Graphics 3000
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.3 GHz
InTru 3Dno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Apple M2 and Core i5-2520M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2
eDPno data+
DisplayPort-+
HDMI-+
SDVOno data+
CRTno data+

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Apple M2 and Core i5-2520M.

PCIe versionno data2.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Apple M2 9.40
+567%
i5-2520M 1.41

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

Apple M2 14933
+568%
i5-2520M 2237

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.40 1.41
Recency 10 June 2022 1 February 2011
Physical cores 8 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 5 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 20 Watt 35 Watt

Apple M2 has a 566.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 300% more physical cores and 100% more threads, a 540% more advanced lithography process, and 75% lower power consumption.

The Apple M2 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-2520M in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Apple M2 and Core i5-2520M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Apple M2
M2
Intel Core i5-2520M
Core i5-2520M

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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