Core i5-540UM vs Pentium Dual-Core E2200

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 i5-540UM vs Pentium Dual-Core E2200 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 i5-540UM vs Pentium Dual-Core E2200: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-540UM

2010

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W 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 E2200 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

2007

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (985 vs 1,002).
❌Launch MSRP is still $100 MSRP, while Core i5-540UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-540UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-540UM better than Pentium Dual-Core E2200?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Dual-Core E2200 is ahead with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-540UM pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-540UM is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-540UM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-540UM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better PassMark. Pentium Dual-Core E2200 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2007 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (9.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-540UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2007) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-540UM vs Pentium Dual-Core E2200 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-540UM

The Core i5-540UM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,002 points. Launch price was $250.

Pentium Dual-Core E2200

The Pentium Dual-Core E2200 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: 2.2 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: 985 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-540UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium Dual-Core E2200's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2 GHz on the Core i5-540UM versus 2.2 GHz on the Pentium Dual-Core E2200 — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Pentium Dual-Core E2200. The Core i5-540UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Dual-Core E2200 uses NetBurst (2000−2006) (65 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-540UM scores 1,002 against the Pentium Dual-Core E2200's 985 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-540UM. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-540UM vs 0 kB on the Pentium Dual-Core E2200.

Feature	Core i5-540UM	Pentium Dual-Core E2200
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2 GHz	2.2 GHz+10%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB	0 kB
L2 Cache	512 kB	1 MB (total)+100%
Process	32 nm-51%	65 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	NetBurst (2000−2006)
PassMark	1,002+2%	985

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-540UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Dual-Core E2200 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to 800 memory speed. The Core i5-540UM supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-540UM) vs 0 (Pentium Dual-Core E2200) — the Core i5-540UM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-540UM	Pentium Dual-Core E2200
Socket	BGA1288	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	800	DDR2-800
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB+100%	4 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i5-540UM) vs VT-x (Pentium Dual-Core E2200). The Core i5-540UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium Dual-Core E2200 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium Dual-Core E2200 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-540UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9400.