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Intel Core i5-7640X

Intel Core i5-7640X: Architecture, Performance, and Practical Tips for 2025

Updated: April 2025

Key Features: Kaby Lake-X in Detail

The Intel Core i5-7640X processor, released in 2017, belongs to the niche Kaby Lake-X lineup. Despite its age, it continues to attract enthusiasts due to a number of features.

Architecture and Manufacturing Process

- Codename: Kaby Lake-X (advanced version of the Kaby Lake architecture).

- Manufacturing Process: 14 nm — outdated technology as of 2025, but provides stability.

- Cores and Threads: 4 cores, 4 threads (no Hyper-Threading).

- Frequencies: Base — 4.0 GHz, Turbo Boost — up to 4.2 GHz.

- Cache: L3 — 6 MB.

- TDP: 112 W — high power consumption for a 4-core CPU.

Key Features:

- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

- Support for PCIe 3.0 x16 (up to 16 lanes).

- Compatibility with the LGA 2066 platform (typically used for HEDT systems).

Performance:

- Geekbench 6: 1419 (Single-Core), 3726 (Multi-Core).

- In 2025 games (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty), it shows 60-75 FPS at medium settings paired with an RTX 4060-level GPU.

- In single-threaded tasks (Photoshop, browser), it competes well with modern budget CPUs but falls short in multi-threaded workloads.

Compatible Motherboards: Sockets and Chipsets

The i5-7640X uses the LGA 2066 socket, initially designed for high-performance systems (HEDT).

Recommended Chipsets:

- Intel X299: The only option supporting Kaby Lake-X.

- Examples of motherboards: ASUS ROG Rampage VI Apex (price: $350–$400), MSI X299 SLI PLUS ($250–$300).

- Features: support for quad-channel memory, multiple GPUs (NVLink/SLI), and numerous PCIe lanes.

Important:

- Many X299 motherboards require a BIOS update to work with Kaby Lake-X.

- As of 2025, new LGA 2066 motherboards are almost no longer produced — look for leftovers on the market or refurbished units.

Supported Memory: DDR4 and Limitations

- Memory Type: Only DDR4.

- Frequencies: Up to 2666 MHz (officially), but overclocking to 3200+ MHz is possible.

- Modes: Dual-channel (the 4-channel mode is unavailable for Kaby Lake-X, unlike Skylake-X).

Recommendations:

- Optimal capacity: 16–32 GB (2x8 GB or 2x16 GB DDR4-3200).

- Examples: Kingston Fury Beast DDR4-3200 (16 GB — $65), Corsair Vengeance LPX (32 GB — $120).

Power Supply: Calculation for i5-7640X

With a TDP of 112 W, the processor requires quality cooling and a PSU with some overhead.

Recommendations:

- Power:

- For a system with an RTX 4070-level GPU: 650–750 W.

- Without a discrete graphics card: 450 W.

- Certification: 80+ Bronze or higher.

- Examples:

- EVGA 650 BQ ($80): budget option.

- Corsair RM750x ($130): quiet and reliable.

Tip: Don’t skimp on the PSU — the high TDP increases the load on the power chain.

Pros and Cons of the i5-7640X in 2025

Advantages:

1. High base frequency — 4.0 GHz is relevant for light tasks.

2. Overclocking — potential to reach 4.5–4.8 GHz with good cooling.

3. Availability — price on the second-hand market around $60–$90 (new units are rare).

Disadvantages:

1. 4 threads — multitasking and rendering suffer.

2. Outdated platform — lacks PCIe 4.0/5.0, DDR5.

3. High TDP — requires a powerful cooler (e.g., Noctua NH-D15).

Use Cases: Who is the i5-7640X Relevant For?

1. Gaming with Mid-Tier GPUs: Suitable for eSports (CS2, Valorant) and older AAA titles.

2. Office Tasks: Document handling, browsing, video conferencing.

3. Experimental Builds: Learning overclocking on a budget HEDT platform.

Limitations:

- Streaming or 4K editing — not the best choice due to low thread count.

Comparison with Close Competitors

1. AMD Ryzen 5 1600X (2017):

- 6 cores/12 threads, but lower frequency (3.6–4.0 GHz).

- Better in multi-threaded tasks (Geekbench 6 Multi: ~4200).

- Price: $50–$70 (used).

2. Intel Core i3-13100F (2023):

- 4 cores/8 threads, 4.5 GHz, PCIe 5.0.

- Geekbench 6 Multi: ~4800.

- New prices: $120–$140.

Conclusion: The i5-7640X falls behind modern budget CPUs but performs better than counterparts from 2017–2018 in single-threaded tasks.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Motherboard: Look for X299 with guaranteed support for Kaby Lake-X.

2. Cooling: Cooler with TDP dissipation of 150 W (DeepCool AK620, $60).

3. Graphics Card: No more than RTX 4070/RX 7700 XT to avoid bottlenecks.

4. Storage Drives: Use NVMe SSD (e.g., Samsung 980 Pro) — PCIe 3.0 will suffice for most tasks.

Example build (budget $600):

- CPU: i5-7640X ($80 used).

- Motherboard: ASUS Prime X299-A ($250 refurbished).

- Memory: 32 GB DDR4-3200 ($120).

- PSU: EVGA 650 BQ ($80).

Final Verdict: Who is the i5-7640X Suitable For?

This processor is worth considering for:

- Enthusiasts looking to build a budget HEDT system for experimentation.

- Owners of LGA 2066 platforms seeking an upgrade without replacing the motherboard.

- Overclocking newcomers — the low price reduces risks.

Caution: For modern gaming and professional tasks, it’s better to opt for a Ryzen 5 7600 or Core i5-13400F.

Conclusion: The Intel Core i5-7640X in 2025 is a niche solution. It is not suitable for the average user but may serve as a "lifeline" for budget-conscious enthusiasts.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

June 2017

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i5-7640X

Code Name

Kaby Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Performance-cores

Performance-core Base Frequency

4.0 GHz

Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency

Maximum P-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.

4.2 GHz

L1 Cache

64K per core

L2 Cache

256K per core

L3 Cache

6MB shared

Multiplier

39x

Unlocked Multiplier

Yes

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

LGA-2066

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

14 nm

TDP

112 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100 °C

PCIe Version

PCI Express is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard used for connecting high-speed components, replacing older standards such as AGP, PCI, and PCI-X. It has gone through multiple revisions and improvements since its initial release. PCIe 1.0 was first introduced in 2002, and in order to meet the growing demand for higher bandwidth, subsequent versions have been released over time.

3.0

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

x86-64

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR4-2666

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

64GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

42.7 GB/s

ECC Memory Support

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

N/A

Miscellaneous

Extended Instruction Set

SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX-2

PCIe Lanes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1419

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

3726

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

1237

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

4230

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2532

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

6844

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Xeon E3-1275 v6

1524 +7.4%

Xeon W-10855M

1472 +3.7%

Core i5-7640X

1419

EPYC 7702P

1374 -3.2%

Core i5-10400H

1341 -5.5%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Processor U300

4176 +12.1%

Core i5-10400H

3956 +6.2%

Core i5-7640X

3726

Ryzen 5 7520C

3519 -5.6%

Opteron 6376

3280 -12%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i7-9700K

1325 +7.1%

Ryzen Embedded V3C48

1280 +3.5%

Core i5-7640X

1237

Core i7-8086K

1200 -3%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4350GE

1166 -5.7%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Xeon E5-4610

4676 +10.5%

Core i5-8500B

4446 +5.1%

Core i5-7640X

4230

Pentium Gold 8505

3980 -5.9%

Xeon E3-1283L v4

3799 -10.2%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Core i3-1115G4E

2609 +3%

Core i3-7350K

2568 +1.4%

Core i5-7640X

2532

Core i9-7980XE

2494 -1.5%

Core i5-9400F

2445 -3.4%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Ryzen 3 3200GE

7309 +6.8%

Xeon E5-2430

7039 +2.8%

Core i5-7640X

6844

Ryzen 5 2500U

6533 -4.5%

Core i7-4910MQ

6329 -7.5%