Core i5-480M vs Pentium Dual-Core E2220

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 i5-480M vs Pentium Dual-Core E2220 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 i5-480M vs Pentium Dual-Core E2220: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-480M

2011

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Pentium Dual-Core E2220 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,327 vs 1,330).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.4 vs 41.6 PassMark/$ ($81 MSRP vs $32 MSRP).

Pentium Dual-Core E2220

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $49 less on MSRP ($32 MSRP vs $81 MSRP).
✅Delivers 153.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 41.6 vs 16.4 PassMark/$ ($32 MSRP vs $81 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-480M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-480M better than Pentium Dual-Core E2220?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-480M is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual-Core E2220 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Dual-Core E2220 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i5-480M is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-480M comes in 153.1% more expensive on MSRP at $81 MSRP versus $32 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium Dual-Core E2220 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2008 platform. Even with 153.7% better value on paper (41.6 vs 16.4 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Core i5-480M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2011 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-480M vs Pentium Dual-Core E2220 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-480M

The Core i5-480M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 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 2.93 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: 1,327 points. Launch price was $81.

Pentium Dual-Core E2220

The Pentium Dual-Core E2220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the NetBurst (2000−2006) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,330 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-480M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium Dual-Core E2220's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Core i5-480M versus 2.4 GHz on the Pentium Dual-Core E2220 — a 19.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-480M. The Core i5-480M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Dual-Core E2220 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-480M scores 1,327 against the Pentium Dual-Core E2220's 1,330 — a 0.2% lead for the Pentium Dual-Core E2220. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-480M vs 0 kB on the Pentium Dual-Core E2220.

Feature	Core i5-480M	Pentium Dual-Core E2220
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.93 GHz+22%	2.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.66 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (total)
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,327	1,330

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-480M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Dual-Core E2220 uses LGA775 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-480M	Pentium Dual-Core E2220
Socket	PGA988	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-480M) / not specified (Pentium Dual-Core E2220). The Core i5-480M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium Dual-Core E2220 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i5-480M rivals AMD Turion II M620.

Feature	Core i5-480M	Pentium Dual-Core E2220
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-480M was priced at $81, while the Pentium Dual-Core E2220 came in at $32. On launch pricing ($81 vs $32), Pentium Dual-Core E2220 was $49 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-480M delivers 16.4 pts/$ vs 41.6 pts/$ for the Pentium Dual-Core E2220 — making the Pentium Dual-Core E2220 the 86.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-480M	Pentium Dual-Core E2220
MSRP	$81	$32-60%
Performance per Dollar	16.4	41.6+154%
Release Date	2011	2008

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