Celeron N4020 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.

Celeron N4020 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.

Celeron N4020 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.

Celeron N4020

2019

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 4W instead of 25W, a 21W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌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 Celeron N4020 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,529 vs 1,535).
❌525% higher power demand at 25W vs 4W.

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron N4020 better than Core i7-640LM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-640LM is ahead with a 0.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N4020 pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron N4020 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Celeron N4020 still makes the most sense overall. Celeron N4020 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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

Celeron N4020 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Celeron N4020 vs Core i7-640LM Technical Specifications

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

Celeron N4020

The Celeron N4020 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 1,535 points. Launch price was $69.

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

The Celeron N4020 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i7-640LM's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Celeron N4020 versus 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-640LM — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-640LM (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Celeron N4020 uses the Gemini Lake Refresh (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-640LM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron N4020 scores 1,535 against the Core i7-640LM's 1,529 — a 0.4% lead for the Celeron N4020. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Celeron N4020 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640LM.

Feature	Celeron N4020	Core i7-640LM
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.8 GHz	2.93 GHz+5%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.13 GHz+94%
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	4 MB+1500%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Gemini Lake Refresh (2019)	Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,535	1,529

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Memory & Platform

The Celeron N4020 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-640LM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Celeron N4020	Core i7-640LM
Socket	FCBGA1090	BGA1288
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	8
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Celeron N4020) / true (Core i7-640LM). The Core i7-640LM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Celeron N4020 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-640LM rivals Core 2 Duo SL9400.