In the computing world, microprocessor plays the main role. If we consider the motherboard as the skeleton system, then microprocessor is the brain, main nervous system of the computer. Today in a single microprocessor, there are billions of transistors operating in synchronization. And whenever we are thinking of microprocessor, there are only two names in the market: Intel and AMD.
But today, Intel has great functionality and visibility across the globe and they have huge varieties of microprocessors depending on their different applications. Here we will discuss about Intel® Core⢠i7-2640M Processor for laptop/notebook and its feature.
Features
Intel core i7-2640M, 4M Cache, 2.80 GHz is the first dual core processor for laptops/notebooks. It is based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and created with 32 nm architecture. This enables Turbo Boost 2.0 and Hyper Threading (HT) technologies. Sandy Bridge architecture enables a processor to be compatible with new technology such as next generation HD graphics Direct X11, PCI Express 3.0. It also enables much stronger transistor integration at a very smaller space with minimum power loss.
Intel® Core⢠i7-2640M has the integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000. The base clock rate of the graphics card 650 MHz and it can be boosted up to 1300 MHz by enabling Turbo Boost 2.0 technology. It also supports DDR3 memory.
It can access 4 MB smart cache, 512 KB L2 cache along with 128KB L1 cache. Its transistor count is 624 million. It also supports 64-bit.
Specification
|
Processor Number |
i7-2640M |
|
# of Cores |
2 |
|
# of Threads |
4 |
|
Clock Speed |
2.8 GHz |
|
Max Turbo Frequency |
3.5 GHz |
|
Intel® Smart Cache |
4 MB |
|
Bus/Core Ratio |
28 |
|
Processor Graphics |
Intel® HD Graphics 3000 |
|
Graphics Base Frequency |
650 MHz |
|
Graphics Max Dynamic Frequency |
1.3 GHz |
|
Intel® Quick Sync Video |
Yes |
|
Intel® InTru⢠3D Technology |
Yes |
|
Intel® Insider⢠|
Yes |
|
Intel® Wireless Display |
Yes |
|
Intel® Flexible Display Interface (Intel® FDI) |
Yes |
|
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology |
Yes |
|
Dual Display Capable |
Yes 
|
|
PCI Express Revision |
2 |
|
PCI Express Configurations |
1×16, 2×8, 1×8 2×4 |
|
# of PCI Express Ports |
1 |
|
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology |
2 |
|
Intel® vPro Technology |
Yes |
|
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology |
Yes |
|
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) |
Yes |
|
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology |
Yes |
|
Intel® 64 |
Yes |
|
Intel® Anti-Theft Technology |
Yes |
|
Intel® My WiFi Technology |
Yes |
|
4G WiMAX Wireless Technology |
Yes |
|
Idle States |
Yes |
|
Processor Number |
i7-2640M |
|
# of Cores |
2 |
|
# of Threads |
4 |
|
Clock Speed |
2.8 GHz |
|
Max Turbo Frequency |
3.5 GHz |
|
Intel® Smart Cache |
4 MB |
|
Bus/Core Ratio |
28 |
High point
This processor is excellent for enthusiasts or gamer or for executives who are into video editing or image editing profession. Also as it supports a lot of new technology such as Direct X11, dual monitor, 64 bit, it is much more robust and truly a future ready processor. Also one can overclock the processor to get the maximum performance boost from a processor and overclocking is also very easy with this processor.
Low point
Though this processor has very good features, but to get it perform to its maximum capability one need a very good system as well as a compatible motherboard. To get a decent performance boost one need to shed extra cost. For example, to get the ultimate Intel® Core⢠i7-2640M experience, one can purchase Razer Blade laptop system which is almost $3000 system. Apart from the pricing factor, the other down point for this processor is that, it dose not support multiprocessing. Also there are few limitations in the memory usage of the processor and Intel HD graphics is not enough to get the ultimate experience. For that one need to have PCI-E enabled graphics card from nVidia or ATI. That means more investment.
Price
Price for the Intel® Core⢠i7-2640M Processor is around $350.
This is a very good mobile processor for Laptop/notebook. But the price is higher and to get the ultimate experience one has to invest more.
