Core i7-2620M vs Core i7-2640M

CPU

GPU

Core i7-2620M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2011

Core i7-2640M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2620M

2 / 4

2,424

0.0%

2,445

+0.9%

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 i7-2620M is positioned at rank 1162 and the Core i7-2640M is on rank 1159, so the Core i7-2640M 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 i7-2620M

#1149

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4185%

#1150

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4124%

#1151

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3786%

#1152

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3769%

#1153

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3734%

#1155

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3606%

#1156

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3458%

#1157

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3452%

#1158

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3359%

#1162

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

100%

#1163

Celeron N3010

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

98%

#1164

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

97%

#1165

Core M-5Y10a

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

97%

#1166

Core M-5Y10c

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

97%

#1167

Core M-5Y31

MSRP: $281|Avg: $30

97%

#1169

Celeron 1047UE

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

96%

#1170

Core M-5Y70

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1171

Celeron U3400

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

95%

#1172

Celeron T1600

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

95%

#1173

Pro A12-8800B

MSRP: $400|Avg: $40

95%

#1175

Core i7-2637M

MSRP: $289|Avg: N/A

93%

#1176

Core 2 Duo SL9600

MSRP: $316|Avg: N/A

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2640M

#1147

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4150%

#1148

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4089%

#1149

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3754%

#1150

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3737%

#1151

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3703%

#1153

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3576%

#1154

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3429%

#1155

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3423%

#1156

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3331%

#1159

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

100%

#1161

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

99%

#1162

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

99%

#1164

Celeron N3010

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

97%

#1165

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

96%

#1166

Core M-5Y10a

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1167

Core M-5Y31

MSRP: $281|Avg: $30

96%

#1168

Core M-5Y10c

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1170

Celeron 1047UE

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

95%

#1171

Core M-5Y70

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

95%

#1172

Celeron U3400

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

95%

#1173

Celeron T1600

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

94%

#1174

Pro A12-8800B

MSRP: $400|Avg: $40

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-2640M delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-2620M in both compute-intensive tasks (0.9% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i7-2620M	Core i7-2640M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i7-2640M stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 0% cheaper ($346 vs $346) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i7-2620M	Core i7-2640M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1%)
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i7-2620M Benchmark Check

Core i7-2640M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2620M and Core i7-2640M

Core i7-2620M

The Core i7-2620M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,424 points. Launch price was $346.

Core i7-2640M

The Core i7-2640M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,445 points. Launch price was $346.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-2620M and Core i7-2640M share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-2620M versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-2640M — a 2.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-2640M (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). Both are built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture using a 32 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-2620M scores 2,424 against the Core i7-2640M's 2,445 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-2640M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 509 vs 563, a 10.1% lead for the Core i7-2640M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,222 vs 1,184 (3.2% advantage for the Core i7-2620M). Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-2620M	Core i7-2640M
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	512 kB
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,424	2,445
Geekbench 6 Single	509	563+11%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,222+3%	1,184

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 2.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i7-2620M versus 1333 on the Core i7-2640M — the Core i7-2640M supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM65,QM67,HM67,QS67 (Core i7-2620M) and HM65,HM67,QM67,QS67 (Core i7-2640M).

Feature	Core i7-2620M	Core i7-2640M
Socket	PGA988	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	1333+44333%
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB+104857500%	16
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-2620M) vs true (Core i7-2640M). Both include integrated graphics — HD 3000 (Core i7-2620M) and Intel HD Graphics 3000 (Core i7-2640M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-2620M targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i7-2620M rivals Core i5-2410M; Core i7-2640M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.