CPU
GPU
Core i7-640M
Core i3-3240T
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 Core i3-3240T is on rank 851, so the Core i7-640M 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 Core i3-3240T
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-640M | Core i3-3240T |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($8) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-640M | Core i3-3240T |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($8) |
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 Core i3-3240T
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.
Core i3-3240T
The Core i3-3240T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,078 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-640M and Core i3-3240T share an identical 2-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-640M versus 3 GHz on the Core i3-3240T — a 14.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-640M (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-640M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i3-3240T uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-640M scores 2,092 against the Core i3-3240T's 2,078 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-640M. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640M vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3240T.
| Feature | Core i7-640M | Core i3-3240T |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.46 GHz+15% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 2.9 GHz+4% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+33% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,092 | 2,078 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-640M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i3-3240T uses LGA1155 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-640M | Core i3-3240T |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | 1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-640M) / not specified (Core i3-3240T). The Core i7-640M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Core i3-3240T requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-640M rivals Core 2 Duo T9600.
| Feature | Core i7-640M | Core i3-3240T |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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