Core i5-4278U vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE

Core i5-4278U vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE Performance Spectrum

Core i5-4278U

2 / 4

2,826

0.0%

2,839

+0.5%

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 i5-4278U 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 i5-4278U 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 i5-4278U

2014

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (12 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Graphics 5100, 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 (2,826 vs 2,839).
❌25500% higher power demand at 512W vs 2W.

Phenom II X2 X640 BE

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 2W instead of 512W, a 510W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-4278U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Phenom II X2 X640 BE better than Core i5-4278U?

Yes. Phenom II X2 X640 BE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% 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 3.7% 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 0.5% 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 still makes the most sense overall. Phenom II X2 X640 BE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i5-4278U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-4278U vs Phenom II X2 X640 BE Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4278U

The Core i5-4278U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,826 points. Launch price was $315.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-4278U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Phenom II X2 X640 BE's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.1 GHz on the Core i5-4278U 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 i5-4278U 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 i5-4278U scores 2,826 against the Phenom II X2 X640 BE's 2,839 — a 0.5% lead for the Phenom II X2 X640 BE.

Feature	Core i5-4278U	Phenom II X2 X640 BE
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.1 GHz	3.2 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.6 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	2,826	2,839
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,688	—
Geekbench 6 Single	889	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,860	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4278U uses the FCBGA1168 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 i5-4278U	Phenom II X2 X640 BE
Socket	FCBGA1168	S1
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i5-4278U) / not specified (Phenom II X2 X640 BE). The Core i5-4278U includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Graphics 5100), while the Phenom II X2 X640 BE requires a dedicated GPU.