Core i7-640M vs Pentium G3460

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.

Core i7-640M vs Pentium G3460 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-640M vs Pentium G3460: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-640M

2010

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (4 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 54W, a 19W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Pentium G3460 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium G3460 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,092 vs 2,114).

Pentium G3460

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 4 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $149 MSRP, while Core i7-640M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌54.3% higher power demand at 54W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-640M can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium G3460 better than Core i7-640M?

Yes. Pentium G3460 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium G3460 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.8% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium G3460 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Pentium G3460 is the better buy right now. Pentium G3460 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $149 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Pentium G3460 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 2 threads instead of 2/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-640M vs Pentium G3460 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

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.

Pentium G3460

The Pentium G3460 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 53 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,114 points. Launch price was $89.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-640M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium G3460's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.46 GHz on the Core i7-640M versus 3.5 GHz on the Pentium G3460 — a 1.1% clock advantage for the Pentium G3460 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-640M uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium G3460 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-640M scores 2,092 against the Pentium G3460's 2,114 — a 1% lead for the Pentium G3460. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640M vs 3 MB (total) on the Pentium G3460.

Feature	Core i7-640M	Pentium G3460
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.46 GHz	3.5 GHz+1%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.5 GHz+25%
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)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	2,092	2,114+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-640M uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium G3460 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-640M	Pentium G3460
Socket	PGA988	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-640M) / not specified (Pentium G3460). The Core i7-640M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium G3460 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-640M rivals Core 2 Duo T9600.