Core i5-4200M vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE

Core i5-4200M vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4200M

2 / 4

2,809

0.0%

2,839

+1.1%

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 i5-4200M vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE 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 i5-4200M vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4200M

2013

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4600, while Phenom II X2 X640 BE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Phenom II X2 X640 BE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,809 vs 2,839).
❌Launch MSRP is still $225 MSRP, while Phenom II X2 X640 BE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Phenom II X2 X640 BE

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4200M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X2 X640 BE better than Core i5-4200M?

Yes. Phenom II X2 X640 BE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Phenom II X2 X640 BE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.2% 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 X640 BE is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Phenom II X2 X640 BE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Phenom II X2 X640 BE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-4200M only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (12.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA946.

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

Core i5-4200M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4200M vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4200M

The Core i5-4200M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,809 points. Launch price was $225.

Phenom II X2 X640 BE

The Phenom II X2 X640 BE 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: 3.2 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: 2,839 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-4200M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Phenom II X2 X640 BE's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4200M versus 3.2 GHz on the Phenom II X2 X640 BE — a 3.2% clock advantage for the Phenom II X2 X640 BE. The Core i5-4200M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Phenom II X2 X640 BE uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4200M scores 2,809 against the Phenom II X2 X640 BE's 2,839 — a 1.1% lead for the Phenom II X2 X640 BE.

Feature	Core i5-4200M	Phenom II X2 X640 BE
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	—
L3 Cache	3 MB	—
L2 Cache	512 kB	2 MB+300%
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Champlain (2010−2011)
PassMark	2,809	2,839+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4200M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Phenom II X2 X640 BE uses S1 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4200M	Phenom II X2 X640 BE
Socket	PGA946	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-4200M) / not specified (Phenom II X2 X640 BE). The Core i5-4200M includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4600), while the Phenom II X2 X640 BE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4200M targets Mobile.