Real world performace: i520M vs. i540M

All other thing being equal, rather obviously the i540M.

The differential would not be significant however. A 10% increase in clock speed only, would not translate to a 10% increase in overall performance.

However, when considering how products are packaged and marketed, the i540M machine, would likely have more RAM, a larger HDD, or other perks, to perhaps warrant stepping up to it.

However, I'm not sure I would opt better for the better CPU only, If I were buying a made to order Dell. I would probably step up some of the things I've mentioned previously, along with the CPU.

You would probably notice the difference, if you were to go up an entire series, to an i7.

The new line of Intel CPUs are difficult to pigeon hole. Because of their hyper threading, dual and quad core options, which are mix and match, they seen to defy a linear scale of performance placement. Different types of benchmark testing, results in data that each prospective buyer must analyze, with relation to how it applies to the way their computer will be used.
 
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