Core i5-2540M vs Core m7-6Y75

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.

Core i5-2540M vs Core m7-6Y75 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-2540M vs Core m7-6Y75: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-2540M

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $127 less on MSRP ($266 MSRP vs $393 MSRP).
✅Delivers 47.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 8.9 vs 6.0 PassMark/$ ($266 MSRP vs $393 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 512W, a 477W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Core m7-6Y75 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,356 vs 2,363).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).

Core m7-6Y75

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 6.0 vs 8.9 PassMark/$ ($393 MSRP vs $266 MSRP).
❌1362.9% higher power demand at 512W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2540M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2540M better than Core m7-6Y75?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2540M is ahead with a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core m7-6Y75 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core m7-6Y75 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core m7-6Y75 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-2540M is the better buy right now. Core i5-2540M comes in $127 cheaper on MSRP at $266 MSRP versus $393 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core m7-6Y75 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 47.3% better value on MSRP (8.9 vs 6.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core m7-6Y75 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-2540M vs Core m7-6Y75 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-2540M

The Core i5-2540M 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 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: 2,356 points. Launch price was $266.

Core m7-6Y75

The Core m7-6Y75 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-Y (2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,363 points. Launch price was $393.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2540M and Core m7-6Y75 share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2540M versus 3.1 GHz on the Core m7-6Y75 — a 6.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-2540M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i5-2540M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core m7-6Y75 uses Skylake-Y (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2540M scores 2,356 against the Core m7-6Y75's 2,363 — a 0.3% lead for the Core m7-6Y75. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2540M vs 4 MB (total) on the Core m7-6Y75.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Core m7-6Y75
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+6%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+117%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	4 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Skylake-Y (2015)
PassMark	2,356	2,363

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2540M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core m7-6Y75 uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Core m7-6Y75
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	16	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-2540M) / not specified (Core m7-6Y75). The Core i5-2540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core m7-6Y75 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2540M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Core m7-6Y75
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 3000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-2540M was priced at $266, while the Core m7-6Y75 came in at $393. On launch pricing ($266 vs $393), Core i5-2540M was $127 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2540M delivers 8.9 pts/$ vs 6.0 pts/$ for the Core m7-6Y75 — making the Core i5-2540M the 38.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Core m7-6Y75
MSRP	$266-32%	$393
Performance per Dollar	8.9+48%	6.0
Release Date	2011	2015

Search Core i5-2540M on Amazon

Search Core m7-6Y75 on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.