Core i7-940XM vs Athlon II X4 640
Core i7-940XM
Athlon II X4 640
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 i7-940XM is positioned at rank 1237 and the Athlon II X4 640 is on rank 621, so the Athlon II X4 640 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-940XM
Performance Per Dollar Athlon II X4 640
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-940XM | Athlon II X4 640 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,096) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Propus (2009−2011) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-940XM | Athlon II X4 640 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+7197%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($1,096) | ✅ More affordable ($15) |
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 i7-940XM and Athlon II X4 640
Core i7-940XM
The Core i7-940XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,269 points. Launch price was $1,096.
Athlon II X4 640
The Athlon II X4 640 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 May 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Propus (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 0 kB. L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,266 points. Launch price was $80.
Processing Power
The Core i7-940XM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Athlon II X4 640's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-940XM versus 3 GHz on the Athlon II X4 640 — a 10.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-940XM (base: 2.13 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-940XM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Athlon II X4 640 uses Propus (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-940XM scores 2,269 against the Athlon II X4 640's 2,266 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-940XM. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-940XM vs 0 kB on the Athlon II X4 640.
| Feature | Core i7-940XM | Athlon II X4 640 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.33 GHz+11% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.13 GHz | 3 GHz+41% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 0 kB |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 512 kB (per core)+100% |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Clarksfield (2009−2010) | Propus (2009−2011) |
| PassMark | 2,269 | 2,266 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 1,471 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 386 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 1,332 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-940XM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Athlon II X4 640 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 1333 on the Core i7-940XM versus DDR3-1333 on the Athlon II X4 640 — the Core i7-940XM supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon II X4 640 supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-940XM) and AM2+,AM3 (Athlon II X4 640).
| Feature | Core i7-940XM | Athlon II X4 640 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | AM3 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333+44333% | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | 16 GB+209715100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-940XM has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-940XM) vs AMD-V (Athlon II X4 640). Primary use case: Athlon II X4 640 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Core i7-940XM rivals Core i7-2720QM; Athlon II X4 640 rivals Core 2 Quad Q8300.
| Feature | Core i7-940XM | Athlon II X4 640 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | No |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | AMD-V |
| Target Use | — | Budget |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-940XM launched at $1096 MSRP, while the Athlon II X4 640 debuted at $80.
| Feature | Core i7-940XM | Athlon II X4 640 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1096 | $80-93% |
| Avg Price (30d) | — | $15 |
| Release Date | 2010 | 2010 |
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