Core i7-640M vs Core i5-3550S
Aggregate performance score
i5-3550S outperforms i7-640M by a whopping 114% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Core i5-3550S and Core i7-640M processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 1618 | 2190 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | 0.41 | no data |
| Market segment | Desktop processor | Laptop |
| Series | no data | Intel Core i7 |
| Architecture codename | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Arrandale (2010−2011) |
| Release date | 29 April 2012 (12 years ago) | 13 September 2010 (13 years ago) |
| Launch price (MSRP) | $350 | $346 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Core i5-3550S and Core i7-640M basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.
| Physical cores | 4 (Quad-Core) | 2 (Dual-core) |
| Threads | 4 | 4 |
| Base clock speed | 3 GHz | 2.8 GHz |
| Boost clock speed | 3.7 GHz | 2.8 GHz |
| Bus support | no data | 1 × 2.5 GT/s |
| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 128 KB |
| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB |
| L3 cache | 6144 KB (shared) | 4 MB |
| Chip lithography | 22 nm | 32 nm |
| Die size | 160 mm2 | 81+114 mm2 |
| Maximum core temperature | no data | 105 °C |
| Maximum case temperature (TCase) | 69 °C | no data |
| Number of transistors | 1,400 million | 382+177 Million |
| 64 bit support | + | + |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | - |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |
Compatibility
Information on Core i5-3550S and Core i7-640M compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.
| Number of CPUs in a configuration | 1 | 1 (Uniprocessor) |
| Socket | 1155 | BGA1288, PGA988 |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 65 Watt | 35 Watt |
Technologies and extensions
Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-3550S and Core i7-640M. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.
| AES-NI | + | + |
| FMA | no data | + |
| AVX | + | no data |
| vPro | no data | + |
| Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST) | + | + |
| Turbo Boost Technology | no data | + |
| Hyper-Threading Technology | no data | + |
Security technologies
Core i5-3550S and Core i7-640M technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.
| TXT | + | + |
Virtualization technologies
Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-3550S and Core i7-640M are enumerated here.
| VT-d | + | + |
| VT-x | + | + |
Memory specs
Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-3550S and Core i7-640M. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.
| Supported memory types | DDR3 | DDR3 |
| Maximum memory size | no data | 8 GB |
| Max memory channels | no data | 2 |
| Maximum memory bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 17.051 GB/s |
| ECC memory support | - | - |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Intel HD 2500 | Intel HD Graphics |
Peripherals
Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-3550S and Core i7-640M.
| PCIe version | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| PCI Express lanes | no data | 16 |
Synthetic benchmark performance
Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.
Combined synthetic benchmark score
This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.
Core i5-3550S outperforms Core i7-640M by 114% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Passmark
Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.
Benchmark coverage: 67%
Core i5-3550S outperforms Core i7-640M by 114% in Passmark.
GeekBench 5 Single-Core
GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.
Benchmark coverage: 41%
Core i5-3550S outperforms Core i7-640M by 43% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.
GeekBench 5 Multi-Core
GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.
Benchmark coverage: 41%
Core i5-3550S outperforms Core i7-640M by 115% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 2.87 | 1.34 |
| Recency | 29 April 2012 | 13 September 2010 |
| Physical cores | 4 | 2 |
| Chip lithography | 22 nm | 32 nm |
| Power consumption (TDP) | 65 Watt | 35 Watt |
i5-3550S has a 114.2% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 1 year, 100% more physical cores, and a 45.5% more advanced lithography process.
i7-640M, on the other hand, has 85.7% lower power consumption.
The Core i5-3550S is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-640M in performance tests.
Note that Core i5-3550S is a desktop processor while Core i7-640M is a notebook one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-3550S and Core i7-640M, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
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