Core i7-2640M
VS
Core 2 Duo P7550

Core i7-2640M vs Core 2 Duo P7550

Intel

Core i7-2640M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2011
VS
Intel

Core 2 Duo P7550

2 Cores2 Thrd3 WWMax: 2.26 GHz2009

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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-2640M is positioned at rank 1159 and the Core 2 Duo P7550 is on rank 192, so the Core 2 Duo P7550 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 i7-2640M

#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 Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P7550

#180
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
361%
#181
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
356%
#182
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
326%
#183
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
325%
#184
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
322%
#186
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
311%
#187
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
298%
#188
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
298%
#189
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
290%
#192
Core 2 Duo P7550
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#193
Atom N475
MSRP: $75|Avg: N/A
100%
#194
Pentium Gold 4417U
MSRP: $161|Avg: N/A
100%
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 2 Duo P7550 in both compute-intensive tasks (0.2% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i7-2640MCore 2 Duo P7550
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($346)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i7-2640MCore 2 Duo P7550
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($346)
More affordable ($0)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2640M and Core 2 Duo P7550

Intel

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.

Intel

Core 2 Duo P7550

The Core 2 Duo P7550 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2008-01-01. It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.26 GHz, with boost up to 2.26 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 3 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 2,439 points. Launch price was $249.

Processing Power

The Core i7-2640M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo P7550's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-2640M versus 2.26 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P7550 — a 43.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-2640M (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.26 GHz). The Core i7-2640M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P7550 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2640M scores 2,445 against the Core 2 Duo P7550's 2,439 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-2640M. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Core i7-2640M vs 3 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P7550.

FeatureCore i7-2640MCore 2 Duo P7550
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
2 / 2
Boost Clock
3.5 GHz+55%
2.26 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz+24%
2.26 GHz
L3 Cache
4 MB+33%
3 MB L2 Cache
L2 Cache
512 kB
3 MB+500%
Process
32 nm-29%
45 nm
Architecture
Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark
2,445
2,439
Geekbench 6 Single
563
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,184
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2640M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo P7550 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-2640MCore 2 Duo P7550
Socket
PGA988
PGA478
PCIe Generation
PCIe 2.0+82%
PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed
1333
Max RAM Capacity
16
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-2640M) / not specified (Core 2 Duo P7550). The Core i7-2640M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core 2 Duo P7550 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2640M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.

FeatureCore i7-2640MCore 2 Duo P7550
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics 3000
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
true