Core i5-650 vs Core i7-940XM

Core i5-650

2 Cores4 Thrd73 WWMax: 3.46 GHz2010

Core i7-940XM

4 Cores8 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.33 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-650

2 / 4

2,254

0.0%

2,269

+0.7%

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-650 is positioned at rank 946 and the Core i7-940XM is on rank 1237, so the Core i5-650 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-650

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

24334%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

22993%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

16695%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

5029%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

3984%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3485%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1996%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1970%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1794%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1794%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1774%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1726%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1702%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1695%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1679%

#946

Core i5-650

MSRP: $176|Avg: $22

100%

#947

A10-6790B

MSRP: $122|Avg: $50

99%

#948

Phenom X3 8600

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

99%

#949

Core i3-6100TE

MSRP: $250|Avg: $90

98%

#950

FX-4320

MSRP: $250|Avg: $100

98%

#951

Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

MSRP: $990|Avg: $150

98%

#952

Celeron E1200

MSRP: $53|Avg: $98

98%

#954

Core i5-660

MSRP: $196|Avg: $150

97%

#955

Athlon II X2 250

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

97%

#956

Core i3-2120T

MSRP: $127|Avg: $38

96%

#957

Phenom II X3 720

MSRP: $130|Avg: $64

96%

#958

Pentium E6300

MSRP: $84|Avg: $15

96%

#959

Core i5-661

MSRP: $196|Avg: $40

95%

#960

Core i3-4150

MSRP: $281|Avg: $70

95%

#961

Core i5-750

MSRP: $210|Avg: $30

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-940XM

#1225

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

14174%

#1226

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

13966%

#1227

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

12821%

#1228

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

12763%

#1229

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

12646%

#1231

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

12213%

#1232

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

11710%

#1233

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

11691%

#1234

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

11377%

#1237

Core i7-940XM

MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A

100%

#1238

Core Solo T1350

MSRP: $200|Avg: $70

98%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

89%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

82%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i5-650 leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i7-940XM is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.7% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-650	Core i7-940XM
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($22)	⚠️ Higher cost ($1,096)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Clarkdale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-650 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 98% cheaper ($22 vs $1,096) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-650	Core i7-940XM
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+4849%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($22)	⚠️ Higher cost ($1,096)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-650 Benchmark Check

Core i7-940XM Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-650 and Core i7-940XM

Core i5-650

The Core i5-650 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1156. Thermal design power (TDP): 73 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,254 points. Launch price was $35.

Core i7-940XM

The Core i7-940XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,269 points. Launch price was $1,096.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-650 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-940XM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-940XM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i5-650 versus 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-940XM — a 3.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-650 (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Core i5-650 uses the Clarkdale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-940XM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-650 scores 2,254 against the Core i7-940XM's 2,269 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-940XM. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i5-650 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-940XM.

Feature	Core i5-650	Core i7-940XM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.46 GHz+4%	3.33 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+50%	2.13 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Clarkdale (2010−2011)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,254	2,269

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-650 uses the LGA1156 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-940XM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.