Core i5-2520M vs Celeron N6211
Core i5-2520M
Celeron N6211
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. The Core i5-2520M is positioned at rank #1083 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2520M
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-2520M | Celeron N6211 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Elkhart Lake (2022) / 10 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-2520M | Celeron N6211 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($225) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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 i5-2520M and Celeron N6211
Core i5-2520M
The Core i5-2520M 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 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: 2,241 points. Launch price was $225.
Celeron N6211
The Celeron N6211 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 July 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Elkhart Lake (2022) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L2 cache: 1.5 MB. Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1493. Thermal design power (TDP): 1.5 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,245 points. Launch price was $54.
Processing Power
The Core i5-2520M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron N6211's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-2520M versus 3 GHz on the Celeron N6211 — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-2520M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-2520M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron N6211 uses Elkhart Lake (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2520M scores 2,241 against the Celeron N6211's 2,245 — a 0.2% lead for the Celeron N6211.
| Feature | Core i5-2520M | Celeron N6211 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+7% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.5 GHz+108% | 1.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 1.5 MB+500% |
| Process | 32 nm | 10 nm-69% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Elkhart Lake (2022) |
| PassMark | 2,241 | 2,245 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-2520M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron N6211 uses BGA1493 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-2520M | Celeron N6211 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | BGA1493 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 4.0+100% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 16 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i5-2520M) / not specified (Celeron N6211). The Core i5-2520M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Celeron N6211 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2520M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.
| Feature | Core i5-2520M | Celeron N6211 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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