Core i7-2637M vs Athlon II P340
Core i7-2637M
Athlon II P340
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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. The Core i7-2637M is positioned at rank #1176 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2637M
Performance Per Dollar
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2637M | Athlon II P340 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($289) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2637M | Athlon II P340 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+2799%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($289) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2637M and Athlon II P340
Core i7-2637M
The Core i7-2637M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,889 points. Launch price was $289.
Athlon II P340
The Athlon II P340 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: 2.2 GHz. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1g4. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 1,895 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2637M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Athlon II P340's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-2637M versus 2.2 GHz on the Athlon II P340 — a 24% clock advantage for the Core i7-2637M. The Core i7-2637M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Athlon II P340 uses Champlain (2010−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2637M scores 1,889 against the Athlon II P340's 1,895 — a 0.3% lead for the Athlon II P340.
| Feature | Core i7-2637M | Athlon II P340 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.8 GHz+27% | 2.2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.7 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB | — |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB | 1 MB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm-29% | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | Champlain (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,889 | 1,895 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 350 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 628 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-2637M uses the BGA1023 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II P340 uses S1g4 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i7-2637M versus 1066 on the Athlon II P340 — the Core i7-2637M supports 22.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 8 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-2637M) vs 0 (Athlon II P340) — the Core i7-2637M offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM65,HM67,QM67 (Core i7-2637M) and S1g4 (Athlon II P340).
| Feature | Core i7-2637M | Athlon II P340 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1023 | S1g4 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+25% | 1066 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 8 |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 0 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support true virtualization. The Core i7-2637M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Athlon II P340 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Athlon II P340 rivals Pentium P6000.
| Feature | Core i7-2637M | Athlon II P340 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | None |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | true |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-2637M launched at $289 MSRP, while the Athlon II P340 debuted at $0.
| Feature | Core i7-2637M | Athlon II P340 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $289 | $0-100% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $10 |
| Release Date | 2011 | 2010 |
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