CPU
GPU
Core i7-640M
Celeron 2957U
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 i7-640M is positioned at rank 107 and the Celeron 2957U is on rank 53, so the Celeron 2957U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-640M
Performance Per Dollar Celeron 2957U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-640M | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-640M | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| 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 i7-640M and Celeron 2957U
Core i7-640M
The Core i7-640M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.46 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,092 points. Launch price was $346.
Celeron 2957U
The Celeron 2957U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 1.4 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,077 points. Launch price was $107.
Processing Power
The Core i7-640M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Celeron 2957U's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-640M versus 1.4 GHz on the Celeron 2957U — a 84.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-640M (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.4 GHz). The Core i7-640M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Celeron 2957U uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-640M scores 2,092 against the Celeron 2957U's 2,077 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-640M. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640M vs 2 MB on the Celeron 2957U.
| Feature | Core i7-640M | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz+147% | 1.4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+100% | 1.4 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+100% | 2 MB |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 512 kB+100% |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 2,092 | 2,077 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 284 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-640M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Celeron 2957U uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1066 on the Core i7-640M versus DDR3L-1600 on the Celeron 2957U — the Core i7-640M supports 198.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Celeron 2957U supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-640M) vs 10 (Celeron 2957U) — the Core i7-640M offers 6 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM55,HM57,QM57 (Core i7-640M) and Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 2957U).
| Feature | Core i7-640M | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066+35433% | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 16 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+60% | 10 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-640M) vs VT-x (Celeron 2957U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) (Core i7-640M) and HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2957U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2957U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i7-640M rivals Core 2 Duo T9600; Celeron 2957U rivals Pentium 2117U.
| Feature | Core i7-640M | Celeron 2957U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | HD Graphics (Haswell) |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
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The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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