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Core i5-M 540 vs Core 2 Quad Q8400


Description
The i5-M 540 is based on Westmere architecture while the Q8400 is based on Core.

Using the multithread performance as a reference, the i5-M 540 gets a score of 29.5 k points while the Q8400 gets 51.9 k points.

Summarizing, the Q8400 is 1.8 times faster than the i5-M 540. To get a proper comparison between both models, take a look to the data shown below.

Specs
CPUID
20652
1067a
Core
Arrandale
Yorkfield
Architecture
Base frecuency
1.2 GHz
2.666 GHz
Boost frecuency
2.8 GHz
2.666 GHz
Socket
FC-PGA10
LGA 775
Cores/Threads
2/4
4/4
TDP
35 W
95 W
Cache L1 (d+i)
2x32+2x32 kB
128+128 kB
Cache L2
2x256 kB
4096 kB
Cache L3
3072 kB
0 kB
Date
January 2010
April 2009
Mean monothread perf.
15.05k points
14.04k points
Mean multithread perf.
29.54k points
51.92k points

SSE3 optimized benchmark
The benchmark in mode I (SSE) is optimized for the use of SIMD instructions with 128 bits register and the SSE set up to version 3. Nearly every modern CPU has support for this mode.
Monothread
i5-M 540
Q8400
Test#1 (Integers)
6.7k
3.08k (x0.46)
Test#2 (FP)
4.54k
6.8k (x1.5)
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
2.48k
2.73k (x1.1)
Test#1 (Memory)
1.32k
1.42k (x1.07)
TOTAL
15.05k
14.04k (x0.93)

Multithread

i5-M 540

Q8400
Test#1 (Integers)
12.27k
12.25k (x1)
Test#2 (FP)
9.7k
26.84k (x2.77)
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
5.97k
10.82k (x1.81)
Test#1 (Memory)
1.59k
2.02k (x1.27)
TOTAL
29.54k
51.92k (x1.76)

Performance/W
i5-M 540
Q8400
Test#1 (Integers)
351 points/W
129 points/W
Test#2 (FP)
277 points/W
283 points/W
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
171 points/W
114 points/W
Test#1 (Memory)
46 points/W
21 points/W
TOTAL
844 points/W
547 points/W

Performance/GHz
i5-M 540
Q8400
Test#1 (Integers)
2394 points/GHz
1157 points/GHz
Test#2 (FP)
1622 points/GHz
2551 points/GHz
Test#3 (Generic, ZIP)
885 points/GHz
1025 points/GHz
Test#1 (Memory)
473 points/GHz
532 points/GHz
TOTAL
5373 points/GHz
5265 points/GHz

Monothread performance graph
Monothread performance graphics gives the performance vs time. They are useful to measure the time it takes to the CPU to reach the maximum performance.

Usually, CPU's performance will be steady during these tests but if it has a slow frequency strategy, the first samples will show a lower score.


Test#1 (Integers) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#2 (FP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#3 (Generic, ZIP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#1 (Memory) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com

Multithread performance graph
Multithread graphs measure the performance against a heavy load during certain time.

If CPU's TDP doesn't limit the frequency and the machine is properly cooled, performance should remain steady vs time. Otherwise, the performance score will oscillate or decrease over time.


Test#1 (Integers) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#2 (FP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#3 (Generic, ZIP) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com


Test#1 (Memory) [points vs time]

grafica bm.hardlimit.com

Hardlimit Benchmark Central - Ver. 3.11.4