CPU Comparison
Core i7-640LM vs Core i7-680UM
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-640LM is a low-power mobile processor introduced in early 2010 as part of the Arrandale family. Designed for thin-and-light laptops, it operates on a 25W thermal envelope, balancing performance and battery life. Featuring 2 cores and 4 threads, the processor runs at a base clock of 2.133 GHz and can boost up to 2.933 GHz using Intel's Turbo Boost technology. The 32nm manufacturing process for the CPU die, paired with a 45nm graphics/memory controller die, allowed for a compact system-on-package design. It included 4 MB of Smart Cache, ensuring efficient data access for both the CPU cores and the integrated HD Graphics (Ironlake). While modest by modern standards, the 640LM was engineered to deliver responsive everyday computing, light multitasking, and media playback in portable form factors where power efficiency was paramount, making it a popular choice for premium ultraportables of its era.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Struggles immensely with modern JavaScript-heavy web pages.
Will struggle heavily with modern office software and web apps.
Gaming
Integrated Ironlake graphics cannot run any modern games.
Completely incapable of modern gaming.
Virtualization
Technically supports VT-x but lacks the RAM and cores for practical use.
Lacks the cores and RAM support for practical virtualization.
Efficiency
Poor by modern standards, but efficient for its time.
Good for 2010, but modern 3W chips outperform it massively.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI capabilities whatsoever.
- No AI capabilities.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Ironlake graphics are strictly for display output and legacy 2D/low-end 3D applications.
- Ironlake graphics offer no 3D acceleration capability for modern titles.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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- Extremely outdated architecture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
Pros
- Extremely low 18W TDP for its time
- Good battery life for 2010 laptops
- Included AES-NI for encryption
- Turbo Boost provided burst performance
Cons
- Very low base clock speed
- Integrated graphics are obsolete
- Soldered to motherboard
- Cannot handle modern web browsing
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Core i7-680UM
- Intel Core 2 Duo SU7300Rival
Mobile ULV
- AMD Athlon II Neo K325Rival
Mobile ULV
- Intel Core i5-430UMRival
Mobile ULV
- Intel Core i7-640UMRival
Mobile ULV
- AMD Turion II Neo K625Rival
Mobile ULV
Modern low-power mobile CPU with lightyears better performance and efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 5425UAlt
Modern budget alternative with excellent battery life.
- Intel Core i7-2637MAlt
The Sandy Bridge ULV successor for historical context.
- Alt
Shows the modern peak of ultra-low voltage mobile computing.
Compare head-to-head - Intel Processor N200Alt
A 6W modern Intel chip that destroys this old i7.
Our Verdict on Each
An innovative low-power CPU for 2010 laptops, but completely obsolete for modern computing tasks.
Best for: Nostalgic retro computing
Read the full reviewA groundbreaking ultra-low voltage chip for 2010, but completely incapable of handling modern web or software demands.
Best for: Collector's item
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-640LM or Core i7-680UM?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-640LM comes out ahead with a score of 3/10. 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 i7-640LM or Core i7-680UM?
For gaming, the Core i7-640LM leads with a gaming performance score of 5/100 among Core i7-640LM and Core i7-680UM.
Which uses less power?
The Core i7-680UM has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core i7-640LM (25 W), Core i7-680UM (18 W).
Do Core i7-640LM and Core i7-680UM use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the BGA 1288 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
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), Core i7-680UM (1,300). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.