Pentium Silver N5000 vs Core i7-2640M

CPU

GPU

Pentium Silver N5000

4 Cores4 Thrd6 WWMax: 2.7 GHz2017

Core i7-2640M

2 Cores4 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Pentium Silver N5000

4 / 4

2,442

0.0%

2,445

+0.1%

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 Silver N5000 is positioned at rank 459 and the Core i7-2640M is on rank 1159, so the Pentium Silver N5000 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 Silver N5000

#144

Core i7-12650H

MSRP: $457|Avg: N/A

97%

#447

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

601%

#448

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

592%

#449

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

543%

#450

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

541%

#451

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

536%

#453

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

518%

#454

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

496%

#455

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

495%

#456

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

482%

#459

Pentium Silver N5000

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#472

Ryzen Embedded R1505G

MSRP: $80|Avg: $80

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2640M

#1147

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4150%

#1148

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4089%

#1149

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

3754%

#1150

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

3737%

#1151

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

3703%

#1153

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

3576%

#1154

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3429%

#1155

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3423%

#1156

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3331%

#1159

Core i7-2640M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

100%

#1161

Core M-5Y71

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

99%

#1162

Core i7-2620M

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

99%

#1164

Celeron N3010

MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A

97%

#1165

Core i7-3537U

MSRP: $346|Avg: N/A

96%

#1166

Core M-5Y10a

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1167

Core M-5Y31

MSRP: $281|Avg: $30

96%

#1168

Core M-5Y10c

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

96%

#1170

Celeron 1047UE

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

95%

#1171

Core M-5Y70

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

95%

#1172

Celeron U3400

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

95%

#1173

Celeron T1600

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

94%

#1174

Pro A12-8800B

MSRP: $400|Avg: $40

94%

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 Silver N5000 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Pentium Silver N5000	Core i7-2640M
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($346)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Goldmont Plus (2017) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-2640M (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Pentium Silver N5000	Core i7-2640M
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($346)

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.

Pentium Silver N5000 Benchmark Check

Core i7-2640M Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Pentium Silver N5000 and Core i7-2640M

Pentium Silver N5000

The Pentium Silver N5000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 December 2017 (7 years ago). It is based on the Goldmont Plus (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB (total). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1090. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,442 points. Launch price was $161.

Core i7-2640M

The Core i7-2640M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,445 points. Launch price was $346.

⚡

Processing Power

The Pentium Silver N5000 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-2640M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Pentium Silver N5000 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Pentium Silver N5000 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-2640M — a 25.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-2640M (base: 1.1 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Pentium Silver N5000 uses the Goldmont Plus (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-2640M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Pentium Silver N5000 scores 2,442 against the Core i7-2640M's 2,445 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-2640M. Both processors carry 4 MB of L3 cache.

Feature	Pentium Silver N5000	Core i7-2640M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.5 GHz+30%
Base Clock	1.1 GHz	2.8 GHz+155%
L3 Cache	4 MB	4 MB
L2 Cache	4 MB (total)+700%	512 kB
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Goldmont Plus (2017)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	2,442	2,445
Geekbench 6 Single	—	563
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,184

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Pentium Silver N5000 uses the FCBGA1090 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-2640M uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Pentium Silver N5000	Core i7-2640M
Socket	FCBGA1090	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	16
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Pentium Silver N5000) / true (Core i7-2640M). The Core i7-2640M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Pentium Silver N5000 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2640M rivals Phenom II Black Edition N660.