i3-3130M vs i5-2520M

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-2520M
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.41
+17.5%
Core i3-3130M
2013
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.20

Core i5-2520M outperforms Core i3-3130M by a moderate 18% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2520M and Core i3-3130M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking22022340
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Market segmentLaptopLaptop
SeriesIntel Core i5Intel Core i3
Power efficiency3.813.24
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date1 February 2011 (13 years ago)1 January 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$225$225

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2520M and Core i3-3130M 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)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed2.5 GHz2.6 GHz
Boost clock speed3.2 GHz2.6 GHz
Bus typeDMI 2.0no data
Bus rate4 × 5 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier25no data
L1 cache64K (per core)64K (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256K (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm22 nm
Die size149 mm2118 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C90C (PGA); 105C (BGA)
Number of transistors624 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2520M and Core i3-3130M 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
SocketPPGA988FCBGA1023,FCPGA988
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2520M and Core i3-3130M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® AVXIntel® AVX
AES-NI+-
FMA+-
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access++
Demand Based Switching--
FDI++
Fast Memory Access++

Security technologies

Core i5-2520M and Core i3-3130M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Identity Protection++
Anti-Theft++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2520M and Core i3-3130M are enumerated here.

AMD-V++
VT-d+-
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-2520M and Core i3-3130M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size16 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21.335 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 3000Intel HD Graphics 4000
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.3 GHz1.1 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2520M and Core i3-3130M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported23
eDP++
DisplayPort++
HDMI++
SDVO++
CRT++

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2520M and Core i3-3130M.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanes1616

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.

i5-2520M 1.41
+17.5%
i3-3130M 1.20

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.

i5-2520M 2239
+17.8%
i3-3130M 1900

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.

i5-2520M 468
i3-3130M 478
+2.1%

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.

i5-2520M 932
i3-3130M 1112
+19.3%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.41 1.20
Integrated graphics card 0.66 1.18
Recency 1 February 2011 1 January 2013
Chip lithography 32 nm 22 nm

i5-2520M has a 17.5% higher aggregate performance score.

i3-3130M, on the other hand, has 78.8% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 1 year, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i5-2520M is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3130M in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2520M and Core i3-3130M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-2520M
Core i5-2520M
Intel Core i3-3130M
Core i3-3130M

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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