Phenom II X2 N640 vs Core i5-4210Y
Phenom II X2 N640
Core i5-4210Y
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 Phenom II X2 N640 is positioned at rank 977 and the Core i5-4210Y is on rank 218, so the Core i5-4210Y offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom II X2 N640
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-4210Y
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom II X2 N640 | Core i5-4210Y |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Champlain (2010−2011) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom II X2 N640 | Core i5-4210Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($55) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 Phenom II X2 N640 and Core i5-4210Y
Phenom II X2 N640
The Phenom II X2 N640 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Max frequency: 2.9 GHz. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: S1. Thermal design power (TDP): 2 MB. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,505 points. Launch price was $149.
Core i5-4210Y
The Core i5-4210Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.5 GHz, with boost up to 1.9 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 11.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,530 points. Launch price was $297.
Processing Power
The Phenom II X2 N640 packs 2 cores / 2 threads, matching the Core i5-4210Y's 2 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the Phenom II X2 N640 versus 1.9 GHz on the Core i5-4210Y — a 41.7% clock advantage for the Phenom II X2 N640. The Phenom II X2 N640 uses the Champlain (2010−2011) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-4210Y uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom II X2 N640 scores 1,505 against the Core i5-4210Y's 1,530 — a 1.6% lead for the Core i5-4210Y. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 300 vs 580, a 63.6% lead for the Core i5-4210Y that directly translates to higher frame rates.
| Feature | Phenom II X2 N640 | Core i5-4210Y |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 2 | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.9 GHz+53% | 1.9 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 1.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 3 MB |
| L2 Cache | 2 MB+300% | 512 kB |
| Process | 45 nm | 22 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Champlain (2010−2011) | Haswell (2013−2015) |
| PassMark | 1,505 | 1,530+2% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 300 | 580+93% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 422 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom II X2 N640 uses the S1 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4210Y uses FCBGA1168 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-4210Y supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Phenom II X2 N640) vs 12 (Core i5-4210Y) — the Phenom II X2 N640 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: RS880M (Phenom II X2 N640) and HM86,HM87,QM87 (Core i5-4210Y).
| Feature | Phenom II X2 N640 | Core i5-4210Y |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | S1 | FCBGA1168 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3L-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16+33% | 12 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: AMD-V (Phenom II X2 N640) vs VT-x, EPT (Core i5-4210Y). The Core i5-4210Y includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4200), while the Phenom II X2 N640 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Phenom II X2 N640 targets Legacy Laptop, Core i5-4210Y targets Tablet/2-in-1. Direct competitor: Core i5-4210Y rivals A4-6210.
| Feature | Phenom II X2 N640 | Core i5-4210Y |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | HD Graphics 4200 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | AMD-V | VT-x, EPT |
| Target Use | Legacy Laptop | Tablet/2-in-1 |
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