CPU Comparison
Core i7-660UM vs Core i7-640UM
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-660UM is an ultra-low voltage mobile processor launched in May 2010. Designed for thin-and-light laptops, it features 2 cores and 4 threads running at a base clock of 1.33 GHz. It utilizes the Arrandale architecture, combining a 32nm CPU die with a 45nm integrated graphics and memory controller die. With a low TDP of 18W, it prioritizes battery life while offering Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.4 GHz for burst workloads, alongside 4MB of Smart Cache and AES-NI support.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Can handle lightweight office applications but will stutter under heavy load.
Will struggle immensely with modern web and software.
Gaming
Inadequate for modern gaming; struggles with basic 2D games.
No modern gaming capabilities.
Virtualization
Supports basic VT-x but lacks cores for effective virtualization.
Lacks the power for practical virtualization.
Efficiency
Good efficiency for 2010, but outperformed by modern chips.
Good for 2010, obsolete now.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Insufficient compute for AI workloads
- No AI capabilities.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Only suitable for legacy games
- Weak integrated graphics
- No support for modern APIs
- Ironlake graphics are insufficient for any 3D gaming.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Low 18W TDP
- Turbo Boost capability
- AES-NI support
- Hyper-Threading
Cons
- Obsolete performance
- BGA soldered package
- Weak integrated graphics
- Limited memory speed
Pros
- Very low 18W TDP
- Good battery life for 2010
- Hyper-Threading support
- AES-NI for encryption
Cons
- Extremely low performance
- Obsolete graphics
- Soldered to motherboard
- Cannot handle modern web
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i7-660UM
- AMD Turion II Neo K625Rival
Mobile ULV
- Intel Core 2 Duo SU9600Rival
Mobile ULV
- AMD Athlon II Neo K325Rival
Mobile ULV
- Intel Core i5-430UMRival
Mobile ULV
- Intel Core i7-640UMRival
Mobile ULV
- Intel Core i5-520UMAlt
Similar performance at a lower price point for legacy systems.
- Intel Core i7-660UEAlt
Embedded variant with ECC support.
- Intel Core 2 Duo SL9600Alt
Older generation but comparable in power envelope.
- AMD Phenom II P920Alt
AMD alternative with more cores but higher power.
- Intel Core i5-470UMAlt
Slightly lower tier with similar architecture.
Core i7-640UM
- Intel Core 2 Duo SU9600Rival
Mobile ULV
- AMD Athlon II Neo K125Rival
Mobile ULV
- Intel Core i5-430UMRival
Mobile ULV
- Intel Core i7-620UMRival
Mobile ULV
- AMD Turion II Neo K625Rival
Mobile ULV
Modern low-power alternative with massive performance gains.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 5425UAlt
Modern budget mobile chip.
- Intel Core i7-2637MAlt
Sandy Bridge ULV successor.
- Intel N100Alt
Modern budget alternative.
- Alt
Modern ARM efficiency comparison.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A pioneering low-power chip for its time, but its performance is heavily outclassed by modern mobile processors.
Best for: Maintaining legacy hardware
Read the full reviewA pioneering ultra-low voltage CPU for 2010, but entirely obsolete for modern computing needs.
Best for: Nostalgic computing
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-660UM or Core i7-640UM?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-660UM comes out ahead with a score of 6/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Core i7-660UM or Core i7-640UM?
For gaming, the Core i7-660UM leads with a gaming performance score of 15/100 among Core i7-660UM and Core i7-640UM.
Do Core i7-660UM and Core i7-640UM use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i7-660UM: Intel BGA 1288, Core i7-640UM: BGA 1288), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-640UM posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-640UM (1,350). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.