Atom Z2520 vs Core i5-3230M

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-3230M and Atom Z2520 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1985	not rated
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Market segment	Laptop	Laptop
Series	Intel Core i5	no data
Architecture codename	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Clovertrail (2013)
Release date	1 January 2013 (11 years ago)	27 February 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$225	no data
Current price	$93 (0.4x MSRP)	$90

Detailed specifications

Core i5-3230M and Atom Z2520 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	4
Base clock speed	2.6 GHz	1.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.2 GHz	1.2 GHz
L1 cache	64K (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256K (per core)	512 KB (per core)
L3 cache	3 MB (shared)	0 KB
Chip lithography	22 nm	32 nm
Die size	118 mm2	65 mm2
Maximum core temperature	105 °C	90 °C
Number of transistors	no data	140 million
64 bit support	+	-
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	No

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-3230M and Atom Z2520 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	FCPGA988	FC-MB4760
Power consumption (TDP)	35 Watt	3 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-3230M and Atom Z2520. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE2, Intel® SSE3, Intel® SSSE3
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
My WiFi	+	no data
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	no data
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	no data
PAE	no data	32 Bit
FDI	+	no data
Fast Memory Access	+	no data
Smart Idle	no data	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i5-3230M and Atom Z2520 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

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

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-3230M and Atom Z2520 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 i5-3230M and Atom Z2520. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR2
Maximum memory size	32 GB	2 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	8.5 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel HD Graphics 4000	SGX 544MP2
Quick Sync Video	+	no data
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.1 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-3230M and Atom Z2520 integrated GPUs.

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

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-3230M and Atom Z2520.

PCIe version	3.0	no data
PCI Express lanes	16	no data
USB revision	no data	2.0 OTG, USB-SPH 2.0
Number of USB ports	no data	2
UART	no data	3

Pros & cons summary

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Recency	1 January 2013	27 February 2013
Chip lithography	22 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	35 Watt	3 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-3230M and Atom Z2520, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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