Core i7-640UM vs Core 2 Duo P9700

Core i7-640UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.27 GHz2010

Core 2 Duo P9700

2 Cores2 Thrd28 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2009

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-640UM

2 / 4

1,168

0.0%

1,178

+0.9%

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 i7-640UM is positioned at rank 1229 and the Core 2 Duo P9700 is on rank 564, so the Core 2 Duo P9700 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 i7-640UM

#1217

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

7661%

#1218

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

7548%

#1219

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

6930%

#1220

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

6898%

#1221

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

6835%

#1223

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

6601%

#1224

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

6329%

#1225

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

6319%

#1226

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

6149%

#1229

Core i7-640UM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1230

Celeron 570

MSRP: $134|Avg: $15

98%

#1232

Core i7-820QM

MSRP: $546|Avg: N/A

87%

#1233

Core Duo T2700

MSRP: $663|Avg: N/A

73%

#1235

Pentium SU4100

MSRP: $289|Avg: $15

62%

#1236

Core Solo T1400

MSRP: $200|Avg: $5

56%

#1237

Core i7-940XM

MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A

54%

#1238

Core Solo T1350

MSRP: $200|Avg: $70

53%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

48%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

44%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core 2 Duo P9700

#176

Core i9-13900HK

MSRP: $697|Avg: N/A

99%

#178

Core i7-1360P

MSRP: $480|Avg: $280

98%

#179

Core i7-1260P

MSRP: $432|Avg: $432

98%

#552

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

747%

#553

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

736%

#554

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

676%

#555

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

673%

#556

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

667%

#558

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

644%

#559

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

617%

#560

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

616%

#561

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

600%

#564

Core 2 Duo P9700

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#572

A10-9600P

MSRP: $128|Avg: $50

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core 2 Duo P9700 delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-640UM in both compute-intensive tasks (0.9% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i7-640UM	Core 2 Duo P9700
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Penryn (2008−2011) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-640UM	Core 2 Duo P9700
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i7-640UM Benchmark Check

Core 2 Duo P9700 Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-640UM and Core 2 Duo P9700

Core i7-640UM

The Core i7-640UM 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 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.27 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1288. Thermal design power (TDP): 18 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800. Passmark benchmark score: 1,168 points. Launch price was $305.

Core 2 Duo P9700

The Core 2 Duo P9700 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Penryn (2008−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB L2 Cache. L2 cache: 6 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA478. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,178 points. Launch price was $348.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-640UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core 2 Duo P9700's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.27 GHz on the Core i7-640UM versus 2.8 GHz on the Core 2 Duo P9700 — a 20.9% clock advantage for the Core 2 Duo P9700 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-640UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 uses Penryn (2008−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-640UM scores 1,168 against the Core 2 Duo P9700's 1,178 — a 0.9% lead for the Core 2 Duo P9700. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640UM vs 6 MB L2 Cache on the Core 2 Duo P9700.

Feature	Core i7-640UM	Core 2 Duo P9700
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.27 GHz	2.8 GHz+23%
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+133%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6 MB L2 Cache+50%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	6 MB (total)+2300%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Penryn (2008−2011)
PassMark	1,168	1,178
Geekbench 6 Single	226	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	590	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-640UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 uses PGA478 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-640UM	Core 2 Duo P9700
Socket	BGA1288	PGA478
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-640UM) / not specified (Core 2 Duo P9700). The Core i7-640UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Core 2 Duo P9700 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-640UM targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-640UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.