
Core i7-640UM

Pentium A1020
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 i7-640UM is positioned at rank 1229 and the Pentium A1020 is on rank 1009, so the Pentium A1020 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-640UM
Performance Per Dollar Pentium A1020
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-640UM | Pentium A1020 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($86) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-640UM | Pentium A1020 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($86) |
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 i7-640UM and Pentium A1020

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.

Pentium A1020
The Pentium A1020 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.41 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1170. Thermal design power (TDP): 10 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,167 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
The Core i7-640UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium A1020 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium A1020 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.27 GHz on the Core i7-640UM versus 2.7 GHz on the Pentium A1020 — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Pentium A1020 (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.41 GHz). The Core i7-640UM is built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-640UM scores 1,168 against the Pentium A1020's 1,167 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-640UM. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640UM vs 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium A1020.
| Feature | Core i7-640UM | Pentium A1020 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 4+100% |
| Boost Clock | 2.27 GHz | 2.7 GHz+19% |
| Base Clock | 1.2 GHz | 2.41 GHz+101% |
| L3 Cache | 4 MB (total)+100% | 2 MB L2 Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Arrandale (2010−2011) | — |
| PassMark | 1,168 | 1,167 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 226 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 590 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-640UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium A1020 uses FCBGA1170 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-640UM | Pentium A1020 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1288 | FCBGA1170 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| 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 (Pentium A1020). The Core i7-640UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium A1020 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-640UM targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-640UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.
| Feature | Core i7-640UM | Pentium A1020 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake) | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Laptop | — |
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