Atom 330 vs Core i7-640LM

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.

Atom 330 vs Core i7-640LM 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.

Atom 330 vs Core i7-640LM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Atom 330

2008

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 8W instead of 25W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $43 MSRP, while Core i7-640LM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-640LM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-640LM

2010

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Atom 330 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,529 vs 1,530).
❌212.5% higher power demand at 25W vs 8W.

Quick Answers

So, is Atom 330 better than Core i7-640LM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-640LM 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, Atom 330 pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Atom 330 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Atom 330 is the better buy right now. Atom 330 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $43 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-640LM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 1.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (35.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-640LM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2008). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Atom 330 vs Core i7-640LM Technical Specifications

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

Atom 330

The Atom 330 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Diamondville (2008−2009) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 0.1 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PBGA437. Thermal design power (TDP): 8 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,530 points. Launch price was $43.

Core i7-640LM

The Core i7-640LM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,529 points. Launch price was $332.

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Processing Power

Both the Atom 330 and Core i7-640LM share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 0.1 GHz on the Atom 330 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-640LM — a 186.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-640LM (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Atom 330 uses the Diamondville (2008−2009) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-640LM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Atom 330 scores 1,530 against the Core i7-640LM's 1,529 — a 0.1% lead for the Atom 330. L3 cache: 0 kB on the Atom 330 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640LM.

Feature	Atom 330	Core i7-640LM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	0.1 GHz	2.93 GHz+2830%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.13 GHz+33%
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Diamondville (2008−2009)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,530	1,529

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Memory & Platform

The Atom 330 uses the PBGA437 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-640LM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR2-533 on the Atom 330 versus 1066 on the Core i7-640LM — the Core i7-640LM supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-640LM supports up to 8 GB of RAM compared to 4 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 1 (Atom 330) vs 2 (Core i7-640LM). PCIe lanes: 0 (Atom 330) vs 16 (Core i7-640LM) — the Core i7-640LM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel BGA437 (Atom 330) and HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i7-640LM).

Feature	Atom 330	Core i7-640LM
Socket	PBGA437	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR2-533	1066+100%
Max RAM Capacity	4 GB	8 GB+100%
RAM Channels	1	2+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Atom 330) / true (Core i7-640LM). The Core i7-640LM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Atom 330 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-640LM rivals Core 2 Duo SL9400.