Core i5-2540M vs Pentium Gold 5405U

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 Pentium Gold 5405U 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 Pentium Gold 5405U: 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

✅+50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 3000, while Pentium Gold 5405U needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,356 vs 2,357).
❌Launch MSRP is still $266 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 5405U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌133.3% higher power demand at 35W vs 15W.

Pentium Gold 5405U

2019

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 35W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (2 MB vs 3 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2540M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold 5405U better than Core i5-2540M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2540M is ahead with a 1.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 5405U pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Core i5-2540M also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (3 MB vs 2 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold 5405U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Gold 5405U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold 5405U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $266 MSRP, and it still gives you 0% better PassMark. Core i5-2540M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (8.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA988.

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

Pentium Gold 5405U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011) 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 Pentium Gold 5405U 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.

Pentium Gold 5405U

The Pentium Gold 5405U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 January 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 2.3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,357 points. Launch price was $161.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2540M and Pentium Gold 5405U share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2540M versus 2.3 GHz on the Pentium Gold 5405U — a 35.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2540M (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i5-2540M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold 5405U uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2540M scores 2,356 against the Pentium Gold 5405U's 2,357 — a 0% lead for the Pentium Gold 5405U. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2540M vs 2 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold 5405U.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Pentium Gold 5405U
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+43%	2.3 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+13%	2.3 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)+50%	2 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	2,356	2,357

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2540M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold 5405U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2540M	Pentium Gold 5405U
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1528
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-2540M) / not specified (Pentium Gold 5405U). The Core i5-2540M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium Gold 5405U requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-2540M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.