Core i7-640LM vs Celeron 1017U
Core i7-640LM
Celeron 1017U
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 i7-640LM is positioned at rank 333 and the Celeron 1017U is on rank 975, so the Core i7-640LM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-640LM
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 1017U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-640LM | Celeron 1017U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-640LM | Celeron 1017U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i7-640LM and Celeron 1017U
Core i7-640LM
The Core i7-640LM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 January 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066. Passmark benchmark score: 1,529 points. Launch price was $332.
Celeron 1017U
The Celeron 1017U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 17 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,508 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i7-640LM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron 1017U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.93 GHz on the Core i7-640LM versus 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 1017U — a 58.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-640LM (base: 2.13 GHz vs 1.6 GHz). The Core i7-640LM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron 1017U uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-640LM scores 1,529 against the Celeron 1017U's 1,508 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i7-640LM. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640LM vs 2 MB on the Celeron 1017U.
| Feature | Core i7-640LM | Celeron 1017U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 2.93 GHz+83% | 1.6 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz+33% | 1.6 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+100% | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 1,529+1% | 1,508 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-640LM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 1017U uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core i7-640LM versus DDR3-1600 on the Celeron 1017U — the Core i7-640LM supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 1017U supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57,QS57 (Core i7-640LM) and Intel FCBGA1023 (Celeron 1017U).
| Feature | Core i7-640LM | Celeron 1017U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1288 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066+35433% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 32 GB+419430300% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-640LM) / not specified (Celeron 1017U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i7-640LM) and Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) (Celeron 1017U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-640LM rivals Core 2 Duo SL9400.
| Feature | Core i7-640LM | Celeron 1017U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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