i9-11900K vs i5-2520M

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-2520M
2011
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.41
Core i9-11900K
2021
8 cores / 16 threads, 125 Watt
15.87
+1026%

Core i9-11900K outperforms Core i5-2520M by a whopping 1026% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking2200419
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluationno data18.12
Market segmentLaptopDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5no data
Power efficiency3.8112.02
Architecture codenameSandy Bridge (2011−2013)Rocket Lake (2021)
Release date1 February 2011 (13 years ago)16 March 2021 (3 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$225$539

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K 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)8 (Octa-Core)
Threads416
Base clock speed2.5 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.2 GHz5.2 GHz
Bus typeDMI 2.0no data
Bus rate4 × 5 GT/s8 GT/s
Multiplier25no data
L1 cache64K (per core)80 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)512 KB (per core)
L3 cache3 MB (shared)16 MB (shared)
Chip lithography32 nm14 nm
Die size149 mm2276 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °C100 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)no data72 °C
Number of transistors624 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K 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
SocketPPGA988FCLGA1200
Power consumption (TDP)35 Watt125 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
FMA+-
AVX++
vPro++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFi+no data
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Access+no data
SIPP-+
Demand Based Switching-no data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
FDI+no data
Fast Memory Access+no data
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
Identity Protection++
SGXno data-
OS Guardno data+
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K 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 i9-11900K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4
Maximum memory size16 GB128 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth21.335 GB/s50 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 3000Intel UHD Graphics 750
Max video memoryno data64 GB
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.3 GHz1.3 GHz
Execution Unitsno data32
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported23
eDP+no data
DisplayPort+-
HDMI+-
SDVO+no data
CRT+no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution supportno data+
Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096x2160@60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @60Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data5120 x 3200 @60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12.1
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K.

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.

i5-2520M 1.41
i9-11900K 15.87
+1026%

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
i9-11900K 25210
+1026%

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
i9-11900K 2398
+412%

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
i9-11900K 11028
+1083%

Cinebench 10 32-bit single-core

Cinebench R10 is an ancient ray tracing benchmark for processors by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. Its single core version uses just one CPU thread to render a futuristic looking motorcycle.

i5-2520M 4041
i9-11900K 10545
+161%

Cinebench 10 32-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 10 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R10 using all the processor threads. Possible number of threads is limited by 16 in this version.

i5-2520M 8815
i9-11900K 62024
+604%

wPrime 32

wPrime 32M is a math multi-thread processor test, which calculates square roots of first 32 million integer numbers. Its result is measured in seconds, so that the less is benchmark result, the faster the processor.

i5-2520M 18
i9-11900K 3.98
+352%

Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 11.5 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R11.5 which uses all the processor threads. A maximum of 64 threads is supported in this version.

i5-2520M 3
i9-11900K 27
+836%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 1.41 15.87
Integrated graphics card 0.66 4.49
Recency 1 February 2011 16 March 2021
Physical cores 2 8
Threads 4 16
Chip lithography 32 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 35 Watt 125 Watt

i5-2520M has 257.1% lower power consumption.

i9-11900K, on the other hand, has a 1025.5% higher aggregate performance score, 580.3% faster integrated GPU, an age advantage of 10 years, 300% more physical cores and 300% more threads, and a 128.6% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i9-11900K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-2520M in performance tests.

Be aware that Core i5-2520M is a notebook processor while Core i9-11900K is a desktop one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-2520M and Core i9-11900K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-2520M
Core i5-2520M
Intel Core i9-11900K
Core i9-11900K

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Community ratings

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