Celeron E3300 vs Core i7-640UM

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.

Celeron E3300 vs Core i7-640UM 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.

Celeron E3300 vs Core i7-640UM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Celeron E3300

2009

Why buy it

✅+53.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $50 MSRP, while Core i7-640UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-640UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-640UM

2010

Why buy it

✅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 Celeron E3300 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (226 vs 347).
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (590 vs 624).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron E3300 better than Core i7-640UM?

Yes. Celeron E3300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 5.8% better Geekbench multi-core, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Celeron E3300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.5% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron E3300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 5.8% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron E3300 is the better buy right now. Celeron E3300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $50 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-640UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron E3300 vs Core i7-640UM Technical Specifications

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

Celeron E3300

The Celeron E3300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 30 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.5 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 1 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,155 points. Launch price was $70.

Core i7-640UM

The Core i7-640UM 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 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.27 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,168 points. Launch price was $305.

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Processing Power

The Celeron E3300 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-640UM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.5 GHz on the Celeron E3300 versus 2.27 GHz on the Core i7-640UM — a 9.6% clock advantage for the Celeron E3300 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Celeron E3300 uses the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-640UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron E3300 scores 1,155 against the Core i7-640UM's 1,168 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i7-640UM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 347 vs 226, a 42.2% lead for the Celeron E3300 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 624 vs 590 (5.6% advantage for the Celeron E3300). L3 cache: 0 kB on the Celeron E3300 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640UM.

Feature	Celeron E3300	Core i7-640UM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.5 GHz+10%	2.27 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+108%	1.2 GHz
L3 Cache	0 kB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB (total)+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	45 nm	32 nm-29%
Architecture	Wolfdale (2008−2010)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,155	1,168+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	347+54%	226
Geekbench 6 Multi	624+6%	590

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron E3300 uses the LGA775 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Core i7-640UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1066 memory speed. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Celeron E3300) vs 16 (Core i7-640UM) — the Core i7-640UM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: G31,G41,P45 (Celeron E3300) and HM55,QM57 (Core i7-640UM).

Feature	Celeron E3300	Core i7-640UM
Socket	LGA775	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	8 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	0	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron E3300) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-640UM). The Core i7-640UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Celeron E3300 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron E3300 targets Budget, Core i7-640UM targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Celeron E3300 rivals Pentium E5200; Core i7-640UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.