CPU Comparison
Core i7-640UM vs Core i7-660UE
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-640UM is an ultra-low voltage mobile processor launched in early 2010 as part of the Arrandale family. Designed for the thinnest and lightest laptops of its era, it operates on a stringent 18W TDP to maximize battery life. The processor features 2 cores and 4 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading to improve multitasking efficiency. It runs at a conservative base clock of 1.2 GHz but can dynamically boost up to 2.267 GHz using Intel's Turbo Boost technology when demanding applications require it. Built on a 32nm process for the CPU and 45nm for the integrated graphics and memory controller, it housed 4 MB of Smart Cache. The integrated HD Graphics (Ironlake) provided basic display capabilities. While completely outclassed by modern ultra-portable chips, the 640UM was a vital stepping stone in the evolution of the ultrabook, bringing Core i7 branding and reasonable performance to sub-inch-thick laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Will struggle immensely with modern web and software.
Adequate for specific embedded tasks but slow for general OS navigation today.
Gaming
No modern gaming capabilities.
Not intended for gaming; lacks modern API support.
Virtualization
Lacks the power for practical virtualization.
VT-x support is present, but limited cores restrict VM density.
Efficiency
Good for 2010, obsolete now.
Excellent efficiency for 2010 embedded standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI capabilities.
- No AI capabilities
- Designed well before AI integration
Content Creation
Gaming
- Ironlake graphics are insufficient for any 3D gaming.
- Legacy IGP only
- Insufficient for 3D workloads
- Not targeted at consumers
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- ECC memory support
- Long embedded lifecycle
- Low 18W TDP
- Hardware virtualization (VT-d)
Cons
- Obsolete performance
- Soldered BGA package
- Limited availability
- Expensive for its performance
Competitors & Alternatives
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
Core i7-660UE
- AMD Embedded G-T56NRival
Embedded ULV
- Intel Atom D525Rival
Embedded
- Intel Core i7-610ERival
Embedded
- AMD Turion II Neo K625Rival
Embedded ULV
- Intel Core 2 Duo SP9600Rival
Embedded
- Intel Core i7-660UMAlt
Consumer alternative if ECC is not required.
- Intel Core i5-430UEAlt
Lower cost embedded alternative.
- AMD Embedded G-T40NAlt
AMD alternative for low-power embedded systems.
- Intel Core i7-2617UEAlt
Newer generation embedded alternative.
Our Verdict on Each
A pioneering ultra-low voltage CPU for 2010, but entirely obsolete for modern computing needs.
Best for: Nostalgic computing
Read the full reviewA reliable embedded chip for its era, offering ECC support and low power consumption for mission-critical applications.
Best for: Replacing a failed chip in legacy industrial hardware
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-640UM or Core i7-660UE?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-660UE comes out ahead with a score of 6.5/10. 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, Core i7-640UM or Core i7-660UE?
For gaming, the Core i7-660UE leads with a gaming performance score of 15/100 among Core i7-640UM and Core i7-660UE.
Do Core i7-640UM and Core i7-660UE use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i7-640UM: BGA 1288, Core i7-660UE: Intel 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.