Pentium A1020
VS
Core i7-640UM

Pentium A1020 vs Core i7-640UM

Intel

Pentium A1020

4 Cores4 Thrd10 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2016
VS
Intel

Core i7-640UM

2 Cores4 Thrd18 WWMax: 2.27 GHz2010

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 Pentium A1020 is positioned at rank 1009 and the Core i7-640UM is on rank 1229, so the Pentium A1020 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 Pentium A1020

#997
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
2162%
#998
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
2130%
#999
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1956%
#1000
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1947%
#1001
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1929%
#1003
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1863%
#1004
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1786%
#1005
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1783%
#1006
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1735%
#1009
Pentium A1020
MSRP: $86|Avg: $86
100%
#1010
Core i3-1115GRE
MSRP: $338|Avg: $480
100%
#1011
Core i7-4702MQ
MSRP: $383|Avg: $50
100%
#1012
Pentium N4200
MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89
99%
#1013
Pentium J2900
MSRP: $94|Avg: $20
98%
#1014
Celeron T1700
MSRP: $80|Avg: $5
97%
#1015
Celeron T3500
MSRP: $80|Avg: $10
97%
#1016
A12-9720P
MSRP: $200|Avg: $25
97%
#1017
Core i5-4300M
MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A
96%
#1018
Celeron 1005M
MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A
96%
#1019
Athlon 64 X2 TK-42
MSRP: $60|Avg: $10
95%
#1020
Athlon Neo MV-40
MSRP: $100|Avg: $5
94%
#1021
Core i7-4860EQ
MSRP: $434|Avg: $80
94%
#1022
Pentium SU2700
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
93%
#1023
A4-1250
MSRP: $100|Avg: $30
93%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

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 Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Pentium A1020 (2016) utilizes 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightPentium A1020Core i7-640UM
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($86)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-640UM (2010) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3-800, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightPentium A1020Core i7-640UM
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($86)
More affordable ($0)

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium A1020 and Core i7-640UM

Intel

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.

Intel

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.

Processing Power

The Pentium A1020 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-640UM offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium A1020 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Pentium A1020 versus 2.27 GHz on the Core i7-640UM — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Pentium A1020 (base: 2.41 GHz vs 1.2 GHz). The Core i7-640UM is built on the Arrandale (2010−2011) architecture. In PassMark, the Pentium A1020 scores 1,167 against the Core i7-640UM's 1,168 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-640UM. L3 cache: 2 MB L2 Cache on the Pentium A1020 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640UM.

FeaturePentium A1020Core i7-640UM
Cores / Threads
4 / 4+100%
2 / 4
Boost Clock
2.7 GHz+19%
2.27 GHz
Base Clock
2.41 GHz+101%
1.2 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB L2 Cache
4 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
256 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Arrandale (2010−2011)
PassMark
1,167
1,168
Geekbench 6 Single
226
Geekbench 6 Multi
590
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium A1020 uses the FCBGA1170 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-640UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeaturePentium A1020Core i7-640UM
Socket
FCBGA1170
BGA1288
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
8 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium A1020) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-640UM). 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.

FeaturePentium A1020Core i7-640UM
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Legacy Laptop