CPU
GPU
Phenom X3 8400
Core i7-640UM
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 X3 8400 is positioned at rank 509 and the Core i7-640UM is on rank 1229, so the Phenom X3 8400 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Phenom X3 8400
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-640UM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Phenom X3 8400 | Core i7-640UM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Toliman (2008) / 65 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Arrandale (2010−2011) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Phenom X3 8400 | Core i7-640UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 X3 8400 and Core i7-640UM
Phenom X3 8400
The Phenom X3 8400 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Toliman (2008) architecture. It features 3 cores and 3 threads. Max frequency: 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 65 nm process technology. Socket: AM2+. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 1,164 points. Launch price was $149.
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 Phenom X3 8400 packs 3 cores / 3 threads, while the Core i7-640UM offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Phenom X3 8400 has 1 more core. Boost clocks reach 2.1 GHz on the Phenom X3 8400 versus 2.27 GHz on the Core i7-640UM — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-640UM. The Phenom X3 8400 uses the Toliman (2008) architecture (65 nm), while the Core i7-640UM uses Arrandale (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Phenom X3 8400 scores 1,164 against the Core i7-640UM's 1,168 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-640UM. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Phenom X3 8400 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-640UM.
| Feature | Phenom X3 8400 | Core i7-640UM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 3 / 3+50% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 2.1 GHz | 2.27 GHz+8% |
| Base Clock | — | 1.2 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 2 MB (total) | 4 MB (total)+100% |
| L2 Cache | 512 kB (per core)+100% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 65 nm | 32 nm-51% |
| Architecture | Toliman (2008) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| PassMark | 1,164 | 1,168 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 226 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 590 |
Memory & Platform
The Phenom X3 8400 uses the AM2+ socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-640UM uses BGA1288 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Phenom X3 8400 | Core i7-640UM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | AM2+ | BGA1288 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | 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 (Phenom X3 8400) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-640UM). The Core i7-640UM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics (Ironlake)), while the Phenom X3 8400 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-640UM targets Legacy Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-640UM rivals Core 2 Duo SU9600.
| Feature | Phenom X3 8400 | Core 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 |
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