Intel Core i5-480M
Intel Core i5-480M: An Outdated Warrior or a Budget Option for Basic Tasks in 2025?
Analyzing the capabilities of Intel's first-generation Core processor in today's realities
Introduction
By 2025, technology has advanced significantly: processors with neuromorphic cores, chips on a 3nm process, and AI accelerators have become the norm. However, even in the era dominated by Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen 8000, devices with "retro hardware," such as those based on the Intel Core i5-480M, still exist. This dual-core processor from 2010 is still found in used laptops and refurbished models. But is it worth considering today? Let's break it down.
Architecture and Process Technology
Arrandale: The First Step Toward Integration
The Core i5-480M belongs to the first generation of Intel Core processors (codenamed Arrandale), released in 2010. This was a breakthrough as it was the first time the CPU and GPU (Intel HD Graphics) were integrated on a single die, although the graphics still depended on the chipset (HM55/QM57 series).
- Cores and Threads: 2 cores, 4 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.
- Clock Frequencies: Base frequency is 2.66 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 2.93 GHz.
- Cache: A modest 3 MB L3 cache (for comparison, modern Core i5s have 12-18 MB).
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics (based on the chipset) with a frequency of 500-766 MHz. Supports DirectX 10 but lacks hardware decoding for 4K video.
The Westmere architecture, based on a 32nm process, looks archaic by 2025 standards. Modern processors use 5–3nm processes, resulting in 5–7 times higher transistor density.
Power Consumption and TDP
35 Watts: A Compromise Between Power and Battery Life
A TDP of 35W was acceptable for thin work laptops in 2010. However, today similar performance can be achieved with a TDP of 10–15W (e.g., Intel Core i3-N305).
- Heat Generation: Without an effective cooling system, laptops quickly overheat under load.
- Energy Efficiency: Lacks modern technologies like Intel Thread Director or adaptive frequency management.
Performance in Real Tasks
Geekbench 6: 368 (Single-Core), 643 (Multi-Core)
These results are comparable to budget ARM processors of 2025 (e.g., Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 3) but fall short of modern x86 chips:
- Office Work: Google Docs, Excel, and a browser with 5-7 tabs are acceptable, but delays occur when launching large PDFs or online presentations.
- Multimedia: Viewing 1080p video is possible, but 4K is unsupported. Editing in DaVinci Resolve is excluded.
- Gaming: Only older games at low settings (e.g., Half-Life 2 at 30 fps). Fortnite or CS2 is a slideshow even at minimum settings.
- Turbo Boost: Boosting to 2.93 GHz yields a 10–15% increase in single-threaded tasks, but due to overheating, the Turbo mode rarely lasts longer than 1–2 minutes.
Use Cases
Who is the i5-480M still relevant for in 2025?
1. Ultra-Budget Devices: Laptops priced under $200–250 (e.g., refurbished Lenovo ThinkPad X201).
2. Office Tasks: Text editing, email, Zoom (without background filters).
3. Educational Projects: Devices for schools in developing countries.
Categorically Unsuitable For:
- Modern gaming, video editing, programming using Docker/virtualization.
Battery Life
2-3 Hours of Usage: The Price of Age
Even with a new battery, laptops with the i5-480M rarely last more than 3 hours of active use. Reasons include:
- High TDP and lack of energy-efficient cores.
- Outdated technologies: Intel SpeedStep reduces frequency at idle but cannot compare to modern solutions like AMD Zen 4c.
Comparison with Competitors
2010 vs 2025: Evolution is Obvious
- AMD at the Time: Athlon II P340 (2 cores, 2.2 GHz) – worse in multi-threading but cheaper.
- Modern Analogues:
- Intel Processor N100 (2023): 6W TDP, 4 cores, 3500 points in Geekbench 6 Multi-Core.
- AMD Ryzen 3 7320U: 15W, 4 cores/8 threads, built-in RDNA 2 graphics.
Conclusion: The i5-480M lags behind even budget newcomers in 2025 by 3-5 times in performance and 2-3 times in energy efficiency.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Support for Hyper-Threading for basic multitasking.
- Compatibility with Windows 10/11 (with limitations) and Linux.
- Low cost of devices on the secondary market.
Weaknesses:
- No support for USB 3.0, NVMe, Wi-Fi 6.
- Maximum of 16 GB DDR3-1066 (considered slow by modern standards).
- High power consumption.
Laptop Purchase Recommendations
If considering the i5-480M in 2025:
1. Purpose of Purchase: Only as a temporary solution for simple tasks.
2. Essential Requirements:
- SSD instead of HDD (SATA II limited to 300 MB/s).
- 8 GB RAM (for Windows 10).
- Battery diagnostics (originals are already worn out).
Alternatives under $400:
- New: Lenovo IdeaPad 1 with AMD 3020e ($329) — 2 cores, but 6W TDP and 8 hours of battery life.
- Refurbished: Dell Latitude 3190 (2022) with Intel Pentium Silver N5030 — supports modern standards.
Final Conclusion
In 2025, the Intel Core i5-480M is an option for those on an extremely tight budget or for specific tasks (like a terminal for old software). Its key advantages are price and compatibility with legacy systems. However, for most users, even budget newcomers in 2025 offer dramatically better performance, battery life, and support for modern technologies. Buying a laptop with such a processor is only advisable if there are no real alternatives.