Atom x5-Z8550 vs Core i5-2540M

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	2024	2537
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Market segment	Laptop	Laptop
Series	Intel Core i5	5x Intel Atom
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Cherry Trail (2016)
Release date	1 February 2011 (13 years ago)	8 February 2016 (8 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$266	no data
Current price	$111 (0.4x MSRP)	$442

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550 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	2.6 GHz	1.44 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.3 GHz	2.4 GHz
L1 cache	64K (per core)	no data
L2 cache	256K (per core)	2 MB
L3 cache	3 MB (shared)	0 KB
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm
Die size	149 mm2	no data
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	90 °C
Number of transistors	624 million	no data
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550 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 (Uniprocessor)
Socket	FCBGA1023,PPGA988	UTFCBGA1380
Power consumption (TDP)	35 Watt	no data

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550. 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	no data
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	no data
Idle States	+	no data
Thermal Monitoring	+	no data
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
SIPP	no data	-
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0	no data	-
FDI	+	no data
Fast Memory Access	+	no data
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550 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 i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	16 GB	8 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	21.3 GB/s	25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card Compare	Intel HD Graphics 3000	Intel HD Graphics 400 (Braswell)
Max video memory	no data	8 GB
Quick Sync Video	+	no data
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.3 GHz	600 MHz
Execution Units	no data	12
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	2	3
eDP	+	no data
DisplayPort	+	no data
HDMI	+	no data
SDVO	+	no data
CRT	+	no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	no data	3840x2160
Max resolution over eDP	no data	2560x1600

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	16	2
USB revision	no data	3.0
Number of USB ports	no data	3

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

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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.

Core i5-2540M outperforms Atom x5-Z8550 by 103% based on our aggregated benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	1.52	0.75
Integrated graphics card	0.66
Recency	1 February 2011	8 February 2016
Physical cores	2	4
Chip lithography	32 nm	14 nm

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2540M and Atom x5-Z8550, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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