i5-1240U vs i5-540M

#ad 
Buy on Amazon
VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-540M
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.17
Core i5-1240U
2022
10 cores / 12 threads, 9 Watt
8.26
+606%

i5-1240U outperforms i5-540M by a whopping 606% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking2343906
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Alder Lake-M
Architecture codenameArrandale (2010−2011)Alder Lake-U (2022)
Release date7 January 2010 (14 years ago)4 January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$257no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U 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 cores2 (Dual-core)10 (Deca-Core)
Threads412
Base clock speed2.53 GHz1.1 GHz
Boost clock speed3.07 GHz4.4 GHz
Bus typeDMI 1.0no data
Bus rate1 × 2.5 GT/sno data
Multiplier19no data
L1 cache128 KB928 KB
L2 cache512 KB9.5 MB
L3 cache3 MB12 MB
Chip lithography32 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size81+114 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature105 °C100 °C
Number of transistors382+177 Millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketBGA1288,PGA988FCBGA1781
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt9 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
FMA++
AVX-+
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology+no data
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+-
SIPP-+
PAE36 Bitno data
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data
StatusDiscontinuedLaunched
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size8 GB64 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth17.051 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® ProcessorsIntel® Iris® Xe Graphics eligible
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency766 MHz900 MHz
Execution Unitsno data80

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported24

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2304 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data4096 x 2304 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.1
OpenGLno data4.6

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U.

PCIe version2.04.0
PCI Express lanes1614

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.

i5-540M 1.17
i5-1240U 8.26
+606%

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.

i5-540M 1803
i5-1240U 12778
+609%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.17 8.26
Recency 7 January 2010 4 January 2022
Physical cores 2 10
Threads 4 12
Power consumption (TDP) 35 Watt 9 Watt

i5-1240U has a 606% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 11 years, 400% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and 288.9% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-1240U is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-540M in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-540M and Core i5-1240U, 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.


Intel Core i5-540M
Core i5-540M
Intel Core i5-1240U
Core i5-1240U

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.7 161 vote

Rate Core i5-540M on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.3 8 votes

Rate Core i5-1240U on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-540M or Core i5-1240U, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.