i7-1255U vs i5-540M

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-540M
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.13
Core i7-1255U
2022
10 cores / 12 threads, 15 Watt
8.53
+655%

Core i7-1255U outperforms Core i5-540M by a whopping 655% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-540M and Core i7-1255U processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2394896
Place by popularitynot in top-10074
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Alder Lake-M
Power efficiency3.0553.78
Architecture codenameArrandale (2010−2011)Alder Lake-U (2022)
Release date7 January 2010 (14 years ago)23 February 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$257no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-540M and Core i7-1255U 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 GHz1.7 GHz
Boost clock speed3.07 GHz4.7 GHz
Bus typeDMI 1.0no data
Bus rate1 × 2.5 GT/sno data
Multiplier19no data
L1 cache64K (per core)80K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm10 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 i7-1255U 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,PGA988Intel BGA 1744
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt15 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-540M and Core i7-1255U. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

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

Security technologies

Core i5-540M and Core i7-1255U technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-540M and Core i7-1255U are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-540M and Core i7-1255U. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4, DDR5
Maximum memory size8 GBno data
Max memory channels2no data
Maximum memory bandwidth17.051 GB/sno data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel ProcessorsIntel Iris Xe Graphics G7 96EUs ( - 1250 MHz)
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency766 MHzno data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-540M and Core i7-1255U integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-540M and Core i7-1255U.

PCIe version2.04.0
PCI Express lanes1620

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 1.13
i7-1255U 8.53
+655%

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 1802
i7-1255U 13544
+652%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.13 8.53
Integrated graphics card 0.77 9.47
Recency 7 January 2010 23 February 2022
Physical cores 2 10
Threads 4 12
Chip lithography 32 nm 10 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 35 Watt 15 Watt

i7-1255U has a 654.9% higher aggregate performance score, 1129.9% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 12 years, 400% more physical cores and 200% more threads, a 220% more advanced lithography process, and 133.3% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-1255U 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 i7-1255U, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-540M
Core i5-540M
Intel Core i7-1255U
Core i7-1255U

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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