Core i7-640UM vs Pentium E6500

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 i7-640UM vs Pentium E6500 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 i7-640UM vs Pentium E6500: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-640UM

2010

Why buy it

✅Draws 18W instead of 65W, a 47W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake), while Pentium E6500 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (1,168 vs 1,175).

Pentium E6500

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $84 MSRP, while Core i7-640UM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌261.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 18W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-640UM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-640UM better than Pentium E6500?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-640UM is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6500 pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium E6500 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Core i7-640UM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-640UM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $84 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Pentium E6500 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA775.

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

Core i7-640UM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-640UM vs Pentium E6500 Technical Specifications

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

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 E6500

The Pentium E6500 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 August 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Wolfdale (2008−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 0.93 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA775. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR1, DDR2, DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,175 points. Launch price was $50.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-640UM packs 2 cores / 4 threads, matching the Pentium E6500's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.27 GHz on the Core i7-640UM versus 0.93 GHz on the Pentium E6500 — a 83.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-640UM (base: 1.2 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Core i7-640UM uses the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium E6500 uses Wolfdale (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-640UM scores 1,168 against the Pentium E6500's 1,175 — a 0.6% lead for the Pentium E6500. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640UM vs 0 kB on the Pentium E6500.

Feature	Core i7-640UM	Pentium E6500
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	2 / 2
Boost Clock	2.27 GHz+144%	0.93 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	2.93 GHz+144%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	0 kB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	2 MB (total)+700%
Process	32 nm-29%	45 nm
Architecture	Arrandale (2010−2011)	Wolfdale (2008−2010)
PassMark	1,168	1,175
Geekbench 6 Single	226	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	590	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-640UM uses the BGA1288 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium E6500 uses LGA775 (PCIe 1.1) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-640UM	Pentium E6500
Socket	BGA1288	LGA775
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0+82%	PCIe 1.1
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-640UM) / not specified (Pentium E6500). The Core i7-640UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Pentium E6500 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-640UM targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-640UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.