Core 2 Quad Q9500 vs Core i5-2520M

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Quad Q9500 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	2075	2080
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	no data	4.75
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i5	no data
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	no data
Release date	1 February 2011 (13 years ago)	no data
Launch price (MSRP)	$225	no data
Current price	$75 (0.3x MSRP)	$46

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Quad Q9500 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 cores	2 (Dual-core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	4	4
Base clock speed	2.5 GHz	2.83 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.2 GHz	no data
L1 cache	64K (per core)	no data
L2 cache	256K (per core)	no data
L3 cache	3 MB (shared)	6 MB L2 Cache
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Die size	149 mm2	no data
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	71 °C
Number of transistors	624 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
VID voltage range	no data	0.85V-1.3625V

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Quad Q9500 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 configuration	1	no data
Socket	PPGA988	LGA775
Power consumption (TDP)	35 Watt	95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Quad Q9500. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® AVX	no data
AES-NI	+	no data
FMA	+	no data
AVX	+	no data
vPro	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
My WiFi	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	-
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	-
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	-
FDI	+	no data
Fast Memory Access	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Quad Q9500 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	-
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	+	no data
Anti-Theft	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Quad Q9500 are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	no data
VT-d	+	no data
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Quad Q9500. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	no data
Maximum memory size	16 GB	no data
Max memory channels	2	no data
Maximum memory bandwidth	21.3 GB/s	no data
ECC memory support	-	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel HD Graphics 3000	no data
Quick Sync Video	+	no data
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.3 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Quad Q9500 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	2	no data
eDP	+	no data
DisplayPort	+	no data
HDMI	+	no data
SDVO	+	no data
CRT	+	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Quad Q9500.

PCIe version	2.0	no data
PCI Express lanes	16	no data

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.

Pros & cons summary

---

Physical cores	2	4
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	35 Watt	95 Watt

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2520M and Core 2 Quad Q9500, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

---