The 'C5x generation performs 20–50 million instructions per second (MIPS). The 3-V versions maintain 40 MIPS performance and reduce power consumption to 1.15 mA/MIPS. For more information on power consumption, TI provides the Calculation of TMS320C5x Power Dissipation Application Report (SPRA030).

The 'C5x generation offers devices with a variety of memory mixes and peripheral options.

The standard synchronous, double-buffered serial port operates at up to 12.5 Mbps with independent transmit and receive sections. The time-division multiplexed (TDM) serial port has all of the same features as the standard serial port, yet TDM features make the serial port well suited for interprocessor communication in multiprocessor DSP systems. The buffered serial port (BSP) operates at up to 40 Mbps with no CPU intervention. The host port interface (HPI) is an 8-bit parallel port used to interface a host processor to the 'C5x.

Multiple on-chip phase-locked loop (PLL) options are available depending upon which 'C5x is used. The on-chip PLL allows lower frequency clocks, reducing power and electromagnetic emissions.

For systems requiring significant off-chip resources, the 'C5x family addresses 64K 16-bit words externally in program, data, and I/O spaces; each space has its own select pin.