i9-9900X vs i5-540M

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Aggregate performance score

Core i5-540M
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.18
Core i9-9900X
2018
10 cores / 20 threads, 165 Watt
14.31
+1113%

Core i9-9900X outperforms Core i5-540M by a whopping 1113% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-540M and Core i9-9900X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2351523
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data5.36
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i9
Power efficiency3.077.89
Architecture codenameArrandale (2010−2011)Skylake (server) (2017−2019)
Release date7 January 2010 (14 years ago)19 October 2018 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$257$989

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-540M and Core i9-9900X 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)
Threads420
Base clock speed2.53 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.07 GHz4.5 GHz
Bus typeDMI 1.0DMI 3.0
Bus rate1 × 2.5 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplier1935
L1 cache128 KB64 KB (per core)
L2 cache512 KB1 MB (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)19.25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm14 nm
Die size81+114 mm2no data
Maximum core temperature105 °C92 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors382+177 Millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-540M and Core i9-9900X 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 (Uniprocessor)
SocketBGA1288,PGA988FCLGA2066
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt165 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-540M and Core i9-9900X. 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, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
FMA+-
AVX-+
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology+2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Thermal Monitoring+-
Flex Memory Access+no data
PAE36 Bitno data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i5-540M and Core i9-9900X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-540M and Core i9-9900X 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 i9-9900X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size8 GB128 GB
Max memory channels24
Maximum memory bandwidth17.051 GB/s85.33 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® ProcessorsN/A
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 i9-9900X integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported2no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-540M and Core i9-9900X.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes1644

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 1.18
i9-9900X 14.31
+1113%

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 1805
i9-9900X 21847
+1110%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i5-540M 373
i9-9900X 1461
+292%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i5-540M 720
i9-9900X 9370
+1201%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.18 14.31
Recency 7 January 2010 19 October 2018
Physical cores 2 10
Threads 4 20
Chip lithography 32 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 35 Watt 165 Watt

i5-540M has 371.4% lower power consumption.

i9-9900X, on the other hand, has a 1112.7% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 8 years, 400% more physical cores and 400% more threads, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i9-9900X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-540M in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i5-540M is a notebook processor while Core i9-9900X is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-540M and Core i9-9900X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-540M
Core i5-540M
Intel Core i9-9900X
Core i9-9900X

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Community ratings

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


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Questions & comments

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