Core i7-2640M vs Pentium Silver N5000

Core i7-2640M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2011

Pentium Silver N5000

4 Cores4 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-2640M

2 / 4

2,445

+0.1%

2,442

0.0%

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 Pentium Silver N5000 is on rank 459, so the Pentium Silver N5000 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 Pentium Silver N5000

#144

Core i7-12650H

MSRP: $457|Avg: N/A

97%

#447

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

601%

#448

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

592%

#449

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

543%

#450

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

541%

#451

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

536%

#453

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

518%

#454

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

496%

#455

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

495%

#456

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

482%

#459

Pentium Silver N5000

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#472

Ryzen Embedded R1505G

MSRP: $80|Avg: $80

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium Silver N5000 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-2640M	Pentium Silver N5000
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)	✨ Modern (Goldmont Plus (2017) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2640M (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-2640M	Pentium Silver N5000
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.

Core i7-2640M Benchmark Check

Pentium Silver N5000 Benchmark Check

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-2640M and Pentium Silver N5000

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.

Pentium Silver N5000

The Pentium Silver N5000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2017 (7 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont Plus (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,442 points. Launch price was $161.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-2640M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Silver N5000 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium Silver N5000 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-2640M versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium Silver N5000 — a 25.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-2640M (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-2640M uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Silver N5000 uses Goldmont Plus (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2640M scores 2,445 against the Pentium Silver N5000's 2,442 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-2640M. Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-2640M	Pentium Silver N5000
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+30%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+155%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB	4 MB (total)+700%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Goldmont Plus (2017)
PassMark	2,445	2,442
Geekbench 6 Single	563	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,184	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2640M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Silver N5000 uses FCBGA1090 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2640M	Pentium Silver N5000
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1090
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
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 (Pentium Silver N5000). The Core i7-2640M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium Silver N5000 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2640M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.