Core i5-2515E
VS
Core i5-560M

Core i5-2515E vs Core i5-560M

Intel

Core i5-2515E

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 2.5 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Core i5-560M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-560M

#1109
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
3485%
#1110
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
3433%
#1111
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
3152%
#1112
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
3138%
#1113
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
3109%
#1115
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
3002%
#1116
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
2879%
#1117
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
2874%
#1118
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
2797%
#1121
Core i5-560M
MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A
100%
#1122
Pentium U5600
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
99%
#1123
Core m5-6Y57
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
99%
#1125
Core i7-610E
MSRP: $250|Avg: $40
98%
#1126
Core i5-5350U
MSRP: $315|Avg: N/A
98%
#1127
Core i3-4100E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $30
98%
#1128
Core i7-3520M
MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A
98%
#1129
Pentium Dual Core T4300
MSRP: $150|Avg: $99
98%
#1130
Core i3-2310E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $20
97%
#1131
Core i5-2510E
MSRP: $230|Avg: $30
97%
#1132
Core m5-6Y54
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
97%
#1133
Core i3-2330E
MSRP: $225|Avg: $10
96%
#1135
Core i5-4288U
MSRP: $342|Avg: N/A
92%
#1136
Core m3-6Y30
MSRP: $281|Avg: $281
92%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-2515E leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-560M is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.6% greater multi-core processing power.
InsightCore i5-2515ECore i5-560M
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($225)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i5-2515ECore i5-560M
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($225)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-2515E and Core i5-560M

Intel

Core i5-2515E

The Core i5-2515E is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,882 points. Launch price was $266.

Intel

Core i5-560M

The Core i5-560M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,894 points. Launch price was $225.

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2515E and Core i5-560M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Core i5-2515E versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-560M — a 24.6% clock advantage for the Core i5-560M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.66 GHz). The Core i5-2515E uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-560M uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2515E scores 1,882 against the Core i5-560M's 1,894 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-560M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 530 vs 450, a 16.3% lead for the Core i5-2515E that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 3 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i5-2515ECore i5-560M
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.5 GHz
3.2 GHz+28%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
2.66 GHz+6%
L3 Cache
3 MB (total)
3 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
32 nm
32 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,882
1,894
Geekbench 6 Single
530+18%
450
Geekbench 6 Multi
950
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2515E uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-560M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2515E supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QM67 (Core i5-2515E) and HM55,HM57,PM55,QM57 (Core i5-560M).

FeatureCore i5-2515ECore i5-560M
Socket
BGA1023
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1333
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
16 GB+100%
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2515E) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-560M). Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 3000 (Core i5-2515E) and Intel HD Graphics (Westmere) (Core i5-560M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2515E targets Embedded, Core i5-560M targets Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2515E rivals Embedded R-Series; Core i5-560M rivals AMD Turion II Ultra M660.

FeatureCore i5-2515ECore i5-560M
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 3000
Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Embedded
Laptop
💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-2515E launched at $0 MSRP, while the Core i5-560M debuted at $225.

FeatureCore i5-2515ECore i5-560M
MSRP
$0-100%
$225
Avg Price (30d)
$0
Release Date
2011
2010