Intel Core i7-640M vs Intel Core i7-840QM: comparison

Comparison of Intel Core i7-640M and Intel Core i7-840QM: key differences and a full specification table.

Key differences

Intel Core i7-640M has a higher base clock (2.8 GHz vs 1.86 GHz), a higher maximum clock (3.46 GHz vs 3.2 GHz), a lower TDP (35 W vs 45 W) and a finer process node (32 nm vs 45 nm).

At the same time, Intel Core i7-840QM has more cores (4 vs 2), more threads (8 vs 4) and a larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Both processors match on: maximum memory size (8 GB), memory channels (2), PCIe version (2).

These are specification values: they show differences between the models but do not determine a performance winner. For a specific workload, rely on independent benchmarks.

Key specifications

ParameterIntel Core i7-640MIntel Core i7-840QM
Cores / threads 2 / 4 4 / 8
Max boost clock 3.46 GHz 3.2 GHz
L3 cache 4 MB 8 MB
TDP 35 W 45 W
Process 32 nm 45 nm
Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processors —

Full specification table

Differing values are highlighted. This is not a better/worse rating: numbers from different architectures are not always comparable.

Parameter Intel Core i7-640M Intel Core i7-840QM
General
Model i7-640M i7-840QM
Codename Arrandale Clarksfield
Segment Mobile Mobile
Product line Legacy Intel Core Processors Legacy Intel Core Processors
Process 32 nm 45 nm
Launch date Q3 2010 Q3 2010
Status Discontinued Discontinued
Servicing status End of Servicing Updates End of Servicing Updates
Embedded options available No No
CPU
Cores 2 4
Threads 4 8
Multithreading (SMT/HT) Yes Yes
Base clock 2.8 GHz 1.86 GHz
Max boost clock 3.46 GHz 3.2 GHz
L3 cache 4 MB 8 MB
Bus speed 2.5 GT/s 2.5 GT/s
TDP 35 W 45 W
Turbo Boost Yes (1) Yes (1)
64-bit support Yes Yes
Instruction set width 64 bit 64 bit
Instruction set extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2 SSE4.2
Memory
Max memory size 8 GB 8 GB
Memory types DDR3 DDR3
Memory channels 2 2
Max memory bandwidth 17.1 GB/s 21 GB/s
ECC memory supported No No
Physical address extensions 36-bit 36-bit
Graphics
Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processors —
Has integrated graphics Yes —
Graphics base frequency 500 MHz —
Graphics max frequency 766 MHz —
Max displays 2 —
Flexible Display Interface Yes —
Macrovision license required No —
I/O and interfaces
PCI Express revision 2 2
PCI Express lanes 16 16
PCI Express configurations 1x16 1x16, 2x8
Package and thermal
Sockets supported BGA1288, PGA988 PGA988
Max CPU configuration 1 1
Package size rPGA 37.5mmx 37.5mm, BGA 34mmx28mm 37.5mm x 37.5mm
TJUNCTION 105 °C 100 °C
Die size 81 mm² 296 mm²
Transistors (millions) 382 million 774 million
Security and virtualization
Virtualization (VT-x / AMD-V) Yes Yes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d) Yes Yes
Extended Page Tables (EPT) Yes Yes
AES-NI Yes No
Execute Disable Bit Yes Yes
vPro Eligibility Intel vPro Platform Intel vPro Platform
Technologies
Enhanced SpeedStep Yes Yes
Idle States Yes Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies Yes Yes
Flex Memory Access Yes —
Fast Memory Access Yes —

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