CPU Comparison
Intel Core i3-N305 vs Core i7-640LM
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i3-N305 is an 8-core, 8-thread mobile processor consisting entirely of Gracemont E-cores with UHD Graphics 770, designed for affordable laptops, mini PCs, and entry-level devices at 15W configurable down to 9W.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Adequate for basic office tasks and web browsing. Single-threaded tasks feel slower than on P-core-equipped chips due to Gracemont's lower IPC.
Struggles immensely with modern JavaScript-heavy web pages.
Gaming
Not designed for gaming despite the better-than-expected UHD 770 iGPU. Very light casual games at low resolutions may be playable.
Integrated Ironlake graphics cannot run any modern games.
Virtualization
8 threads allow for basic VMs, but single-channel memory and lack of P-cores limit practical utility.
Technically supports VT-x but lacks the RAM and cores for practical use.
Efficiency
Very efficient at idle and light loads due to the all-E-core design. The 9W configurable TDP enables fanless or near-fanless operation.
Poor by modern standards, but efficient for its time.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- Gracemont cores include AVX-VNNI but lack the performance for meaningful AI work
- Not suitable for AI or ML tasks
- No AI capabilities whatsoever.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Not designed for gaming
- UHD 770 (32 EUs) is better than UHD 64EU but still far from gaming-capable
- Single-channel memory severely limits graphics performance
- Older titles at lowest settings and resolutions may be marginally playable
- Ironlake graphics are strictly for display output and legacy 2D/low-end 3D applications.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 8 cores provide good parallel throughput for the price
- Very low power consumption with 9W configurable TDP
- UHD Graphics 770 is better than expected for this tier
- Fully dynamic clock domains for granular power management
- Supports AVX-VNNI instruction extensions
- Enables very affordable mini PCs and Chromebooks
Cons
- No P-cores means weak single-threaded performance
- Single-channel memory halves bandwidth
- Only 9 PCIe 3.0 lanes severely limit expansion
- 6MB L3 cache is small for 8 cores
- Gracemont IPC is significantly lower than Golden Cove
- PCIe 3.0 is a generation behind the 4.0 support on U-series chips
Pros
- Good performance-per-watt for 2010
- Included AES-NI for hardware encryption
- Integrated graphics reduced platform footprint
- Hyper-Threading improved multitasking
Cons
- Extremely outdated architecture
- Integrated graphics are unusable for modern tasks
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA)
- Lacks modern instruction sets
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i3-N305
- AMD Ryzen 3 7320URival
Budget Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 7520URival
Budget Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-1215URival
Mainstream Mobile
- MediaTek Kompanio 1380Rival
Budget Mobile
- Intel Pentium Silver N6005Rival
Entry Mobile
Same architecture at even lower 7W TDP if maximum efficiency is the priority.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Celeron N5095Alt
Jasper Lake alternative if even lower cost is needed, though with fewer cores.
Core i7-640LM
- Intel Core 2 Duo SU9600Rival
Mobile Low Power
- AMD Turion II Neo K625Rival
Mobile Low Power
- Intel Core i5-430UMRival
Mobile Low Power
- Intel Core i7-620UMRival
Mobile Ultra Low Power
- AMD Phenom II P920Rival
Mobile
Modern low-power mobile alternative with vastly superior efficiency and 8 cores.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 5300UAlt
Budget modern mobile chip that outperforms it exponentially.
- Intel Core i7-2620MAlt
The Sandy Bridge successor if looking at historical mobile upgrades.
- Alt
Demonstrates the incredible leap in mobile ARM efficiency over the last decade.
Compare head-to-head - Intel N100Alt
A modern budget chip that crushes this old Core i7 in every metric.
Our Verdict on Each
A unique all-E-core processor that offers 8 threads of parallel performance at very low power, but the absence of any P-cores means single-threaded performance is significantly behind hybrid chips. Best suited for devices where core count marketing and power efficiency matter more than snappy responsiveness.
Best for: Budget mini PC or Chromebook purchase where 8-core parallelism at low power is valued, and single-threaded performance is not critical.
Read the full reviewAn innovative low-power CPU for 2010 laptops, but completely obsolete for modern computing tasks.
Best for: Nostalgic retro computing
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i3-N305 or Core i7-640LM?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-N305 comes out ahead with a score of 5/10. 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, Intel Core i3-N305 or Core i7-640LM?
For gaming, the Core i7-640LM leads with a gaming performance score of 5/100 among Intel Core i3-N305 and Core i7-640LM.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-N305 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i3-N305 (15 W), Core i7-640LM (25 W).
Do Intel Core i3-N305 and Core i7-640LM use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i3-N305: BGA 1264, Core i7-640LM: BGA 1288), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i3-N305 has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i3-N305 (8 cores), Core i7-640LM (2 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-640LM posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-640LM (1,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.