Pentium D 945 vs Core i5-2520M

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2520M and Pentium D 945 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	2101	not rated
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i5	no data
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Presler (2006−2007)
Release date	1 February 2011 (13 years ago)	23 July 2006 (17 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$225	no data
Current price	$75 (0.3x MSRP)	$70

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2520M and Pentium D 945 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)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	4	2
Base clock speed	2.5 GHz	3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz
Bus support	4 × 5 GT/s	no data
L1 cache	128 KB	16 KB (per core)
L2 cache	512 KB	2 MB (per die)
L3 cache	3 MB (shared)	0 KB
Chip lithography	32 nm	65 nm
Die size	149 mm2	2x 81 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	63 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	no data	63 °C
Number of transistors	624 million	376 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	No
VID voltage range	no data	1.2V-1.3375V

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2520M and Pentium D 945 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	1
Socket	PPGA988	LGA775,PLGA775
Power consumption (TDP)	35 Watt	95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2520M and Pentium D 945. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® AVX	no data
AES-NI	+	-
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	-	-
PAE	no data	32 Bit
FDI	+	no data
Fast Memory Access	+	no data
FSB parity	no data	-
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i5-2520M and Pentium D 945 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 Pentium D 945 are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2520M and Pentium D 945. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR1, DDR2, DDR3
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	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel HD Graphics 3000	On certain motherboards (Chipset feature)
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 Pentium D 945 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 Pentium D 945.

PCIe version	2.0	no data
PCI Express lanes	16	no data

Pros & cons summary

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Recency	1 February 2011	23 July 2006
Threads	4	2
Chip lithography	32 nm	65 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	35 Watt	95 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2520M and Pentium D 945, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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