i5-540M vs i7-5930K

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-5930K
2014
6 cores / 12 threads, 140 Watt
6.50
+475%
Core i5-540M
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 35 Watt
1.13

Core i7-5930K outperforms Core i5-540M by a whopping 475% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-5930K and Core i5-540M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking10562394
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.88no data
Market segmentDesktop processorLaptop
Seriesno dataIntel Core i5
Power efficiency4.393.06
Architecture codenameHaswell-E (2014)Arrandale (2010−2011)
Release date1 September 2014 (10 years ago)7 January 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$613$257

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i7-5930K and Core i5-540M 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 cores6 (Hexa-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads124
Base clock speed3.5 GHz2.53 GHz
Boost clock speed3.7 GHz3.07 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 1.0
Bus rate0 GT/s1 × 2.5 GT/s
Multiplierno data19
L1 cache64 KB (per core)128 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)512 KB
L3 cache15 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm32 nm
Die size356 mm281+114 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °C105 °C
Number of transistors2,600 million382+177 Million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-5930K and Core i5-540M 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 configuration11 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA2011BGA1288,PGA988
Power consumption (TDP)140 Watt35 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-5930K and Core i5-540M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI++
FMA-+
AVX+-
vProno data+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.0+
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
Flex Memory Accessno data+
Smart Response+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAEno data36 Bit
FDIno data+
Fast Memory Accessno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-5930K and Core i5-540M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Identity Protection+-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-5930K and Core i5-540M are enumerated here.

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

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-5930K and Core i5-540M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size64 GB8 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth68 GB/s17.051 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardno dataIntel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processors
Clear Videono data+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data766 MHz

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-5930K and Core i5-540M integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-5930K and Core i5-540M.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes4016

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.

i7-5930K 6.50
+475%
i5-540M 1.13

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.

i7-5930K 10324
+473%
i5-540M 1802

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.

i7-5930K 1222
+224%
i5-540M 377

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.

i7-5930K 5712
+689%
i5-540M 724

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 6.50 1.13
Recency 1 September 2014 7 January 2010
Physical cores 6 2
Threads 12 4
Chip lithography 22 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 140 Watt 35 Watt

i7-5930K has a 475.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 4 years, 200% more physical cores and 200% more threads, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.

i5-540M, on the other hand, has 300% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-5930K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-540M in performance tests.

Note that Core i7-5930K is a desktop processor while Core i5-540M is a notebook one.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-5930K and Core i5-540M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i7-5930K
Core i7-5930K
Intel Core i5-540M
Core i5-540M

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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