Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Phenom II X2 N640

CPU

GPU

Core 2 Duo SU7300

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 1.3 GHz2009

Similar parts

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Phenom II X2 N640

2 Cores2 Thrd2 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2010

Similar parts

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Buy on Amazon

Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Phenom II X2 N640 Performance Spectrum

Core 2 Duo SU7300

2 / 2

1,496

0.0%

Pentium U5600

Core i5-540UM

Pentium Extreme Edition 965

1,505

+0.6%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

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.

Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Phenom II X2 N640 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.

Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Phenom II X2 N640: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core 2 Duo SU7300

2009

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Phenom II X2 N640 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (338 vs 422).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.2 vs 15.1 PassMark/$ ($289 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
❌50% higher power demand at 3W vs 2W.

Phenom II X2 N640

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $189 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).
✅Delivers 190.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.1 vs 5.2 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $289 MSRP).
✅Draws 2W instead of 3W, a 1W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X2 N640 better than Core 2 Duo SU7300?

Yes. Phenom II X2 N640 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 24.9% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.6% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Phenom II X2 N640 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.8% 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, Phenom II X2 N640 is the stronger fit. You are getting 24.9% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Phenom II X2 N640 is the better buy right now. Phenom II X2 N640 comes in $189 cheaper on MSRP at $100 MSRP versus $289 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 190.7% better value on MSRP (15.1 vs 5.2 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Phenom II X2 N640 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/2. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core 2 Duo SU7300 vs Phenom II X2 N640 Technical Specifications

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

Core 2 Duo SU7300

The Core 2 Duo SU7300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.3 GHz, with boost up to 1.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB Intel® Smart Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: BGA956. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,496 points. Launch price was $249.

Phenom II X2 N640

The Phenom II X2 N640 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.9 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,505 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core 2 Duo SU7300 and Phenom II X2 N640 share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.3 GHz on the Core 2 Duo SU7300 versus 2.9 GHz on the Phenom II X2 N640 — a 76.2% clock advantage for the Phenom II X2 N640. The Core 2 Duo SU7300 uses the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X2 N640 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core 2 Duo SU7300 scores 1,496 against the Phenom II X2 N640's 1,505 — a 0.6% lead for the Phenom II X2 N640. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 188 vs 300, a 45.9% lead for the Phenom II X2 N640 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 338 vs 422 (22.1% advantage for the Phenom II X2 N640).

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Phenom II X2 N640
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.3 GHz	2.9 GHz+123%
Base Clock	1.3 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB Intel® Smart Cache	—
L2 Cache	3 MB+50%	2 MB
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Penryn (2008−2011)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	1,496	1,505
Geekbench 6 Single	188	300+60%
Geekbench 6 Multi	338	422+25%

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Memory & Platform

The Core 2 Duo SU7300 uses the BGA956 socket (PCIe 1.1), while the Phenom II X2 N640 uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core 2 Duo SU7300 versus DDR3-1333 on the Phenom II X2 N640 — the Phenom II X2 N640 supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 0 (Core 2 Duo SU7300) vs 16 (Phenom II X2 N640) — the Phenom II X2 N640 offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: GS45,GM45 (Core 2 Duo SU7300) and RS880M (Phenom II X2 N640).

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Phenom II X2 N640
Socket	BGA956	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 1.1	PCIe 2.0+82%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR3-1333+25%
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 (Core 2 Duo SU7300) vs AMD-V (Phenom II X2 N640). Primary use case: Core 2 Duo SU7300 targets Ultra-Low Voltage Laptop, Phenom II X2 N640 targets Legacy Laptop.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Phenom II X2 N640
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	AMD-V
Target Use	Ultra-Low Voltage Laptop	Legacy Laptop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core 2 Duo SU7300 was priced at $289, while the Phenom II X2 N640 came in at $100. On launch pricing ($289 vs $100), Phenom II X2 N640 was $189 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core 2 Duo SU7300 delivers 5.2 pts/$ vs 15.1 pts/$ for the Phenom II X2 N640 — making the Phenom II X2 N640 the 97.6% better value option.

Feature	Core 2 Duo SU7300	Phenom II X2 N640
MSRP	$289	$100-65%
Performance per Dollar	5.2	15.1+190%
Release Date	2009	2010

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