Intel Core i5-2450M

The Intel Core i5-2450M is a second generation dual core processor for laptops. The Intel Core i5-2450M is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and features HypertTreading technology to handle 4 threads at once that increases the processor performance by 20%.

The Intel Core i5-2450M offers a smaller level 3 cache of 3 MB, 512 kB level 2 cache and 128 kB level 1 cache. This Intel Core i5-2450M dual-core processor has a base clock speed of 2.5 GHz but because of TurboBoost technology it can speed up to 2.8 GHz when 2 cores are active and 3.1 GHz when only 1 core is active, TurboBoost can be achieved when the thermal and electrical aspects are met. The clock speed of Intel Core i5-2450M is just higher by 100MHz compared to Core i5-2430M.

The Sandy Bridge architecture is the successor of the Arrandale architecture and the most remarkable improvements of this architecture is the improved Turbo Boost 2.0 and the integration of the graphics and memory controller into the 32nm CPU core. This is the equivalent of the APU technology introduced by the AMD.

The i5-2450M offers an integrated graphics card (Intel HD Graphics 3000) which is clearly faster then the older Intel HD Graphics in the Arrandale CPUs. As the new GPU is included in the CPU, it is also manufactured in 32nm and shares the fast level 3 cache with the CPU cores (using a new ring bus).  The Intel Core i5-2450M’s integrated GPU is clocked at 650 to 1300MHz because of the GPU TurboBoost. The Intel Core i5-2450M dual core processor has 35 Watt TDP; this includes the integrated GPU and memory controller.

Due to the improved architecture and the new Turbo Boost 2.0, the average performance of the Core i5-2450M is higher than a similar clocked Arrandale Core i5. 

General Information
Type	CPU / Microprocessor
Market Segment	Mobile
Family	Intel Core i5 Mobile
Model number	i5-2450M
Frequency	2500 MHz
Turbo Frequency	3100 MHz
Bus Speed	5 GT/s DMI
Clock Multiplier	25
Socket	Socket G2
Size	1.48" x 1.48" / 3.75cm x 3.75cm
Introduction Date	January 2012
Architecture
Microarchitecture	Sandy Bridge
Core Stepping	J1 (SR0CH)
Manufacturing Process	0.032 micron High-K metal gate process
Data Width	64 bit
Number of Cores	2
Number of Threads	4
Floating Point Unit	Integrated
Level 1 Cache Size	2 x 32 KB instruction Caches 2 x 32 KB data Caches
Level 2 Cache Size	2 x 256 KB
Level 3 Cache Size	3 MB
Physical Memory	16 GB
Multiprocessing	Not supported
Features	MMX instruction set SSE SSE2 SSE3 Supplemental SSE3 SSE4.1 SSE4.2  AES instructions Advanced Vector Extensions Extended Memory 64 technology (EM64T)  Execute disable bit  HyperThreading technology  Turbo Boost technology 2.0 Virtualization technology (VT-x)
Low Power Features	Enhanced SpeedStep Technology
On-Chip Peripherals	Dual-channel DDR3 Memory Controller Direct Media Interface PCI Express 2.0 Interface HD 3000 Graphics Controller
Thermal Parameters
Maximum Operating Temperature	100°C
Thermal Design Power	35 Watt

Intel Core i5 2450M Vs i5 2430M

The Core i5-2450M has base clock 100 MHz higher than the Core i5-2430M. The turbo boost also get 100 MHz raise in i5-2450M. This has marginally improved the performance of the Core i5-2450M. Both  Come with the same HD 3000 Integrated Graphics.

Benchmarks	Core i5-2450M	Core i5-2430M
PassMark Score	3700	3344
Super Pi 2M	31 seconds	31.5 seconds
3D Mark CPU	3440	3195

Intel HD Graphics 3000

Intel’s HD Graphics 3000 is the integrated graphics in most of the Sandy Bridge notebook processors (HD Graphics 2000 is featured in some of the desktop Sandy Bridge processors).

The HD Graphics 3000, improves upon the earlier Intel HD Graphics (Intel HD Graphics Media Accelerator).  While it is still short of ability to play most of the modern fast moving games at full resolution, Intel is approaching gradually towards it.

The HD Graphics 3000 still lack the DirectX. It also trails in performance when compared to the integrated graphics in Llano APUs from Intel.

The HD Graphics 3000 has 12 Execution Units while the HD Graphics 2000 has 6 Execution unit. This results in substantially faster performance for HD 3000.

Intel HD Graphics 3000 is significantly better than the HD Graphics (the integrated graphics in the 1st generation core i processors) with a much improved architecture.

The Radeon HD 6520G from AMD, is better than the Intel HD 3000 graphics as it support DirectX11.

Feature	AMD Radeon HD 6520G	Intel HD Graphics 3000
Shader Frequency	400 MHz	350-1350  MHz
No of Pipeline	320	12
Direct X Support	DirectX 11, Shader 5.0	DirectX 10.1, Shader 4.1
Lithography	32 nm	32 nm