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Intel Pentium G640T

Intel Pentium G640T

Intel Pentium G640T: Overview and Practical Guide for Budget Builds (2025)

Introduction

The Intel Pentium G640T, released in 2011, remains a niche solution for budget PCs even in 2025. With its low power consumption and compatibility with outdated hardware, it finds its application in specific scenarios. Let's explore who and why might find this chip useful today.

1. Key Features: Architecture and Performance

Sandy Bridge Architecture

The G640T is built on the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture (2011), which made a breakthrough at its time by integrating a graphics core into the CPU die. However, in 2025, this solution appears archaic:

- Process Technology: 32 nm — higher thermal output compared to modern 7 nm chips.

- Cores and Threads: 2 cores / 2 threads. No Hyper-Threading support, limiting multitasking capabilities.

- Clock Speed: Base frequency — 2.4 GHz, Turbo mode is absent.

- Cache: 3 MB L3 — a minimum even for office tasks.

- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics (Sandy Bridge) — suitable only for image output and simple games like Minecraft at low settings.

Key Features:

- Support for AES-NI instructions for encryption.

- Virtualization Technologies (VT-x) for running virtual machines.

- Energy efficiency: TDP of 35 W allows for passive cooling.

2. Compatible Motherboards

LGA 1155 Socket

All motherboards for the G640T use the LGA 1155 socket, which is no longer in production. In 2025, new motherboards are unavailable, but refurbished models can still be found on the market:

- Chipsets: H61, B65, H67, Q67, P67, Z68.

- Recommendations:

- H61 — the most budget-friendly option (up to $50), but lacks USB 3.0 and SATA III.

- H67/Z68 — supports SATA III and memory overclocking (from $70).

Example: ASUS P8H61-M LE (H61) for $45 — a basic choice for an office PC. For SSD use, H67 is preferable (for example, Gigabyte GA-H67M-D2-B3, $65) due to SATA III support.

3. Supported Memory

Only DDR3

- Type: DDR3-1066/1333 MHz.

- Maximum Capacity: 32 GB (theoretically), but in practice, most H61 boards are limited to 16 GB.

- Tips:

- Optimal — 8 GB (2x4 GB) DDR3-1333 (~$30).

- Avoid modules with voltage over 1.5 V — compatibility issues may arise.

Important: DDR4/DDR5 are not supported. Attempting to install them will cause component damage!

4. Power Supply Recommendations

Minimum Requirements

- Power: Even with a low-end discrete graphics card (e.g., GT 1030), a 400 W power supply is sufficient.

- Examples:

- Be Quiet! System Power 10 400W (80+ Bronze, $55) — reliability and quiet operation.

- For systems without a dedicated graphics card: FSP Hyper K 300W (80+, $35).

Nuances: Don't save money on the power supply! Older platforms are sensitive to voltage fluctuations.

5. Pros and Cons

Pros:

- Price: CPU — from $40, complete system build — around $200.

- Energy Efficiency: Ideal for PCs running 24/7 (e.g., home servers).

- Quiet Operation: Possible passive cooling.

Cons:

- Outdated Performance: It lags even behind budget Intel Celeron G5920 (2020) by two times.

- Limited Upgrade Potential: The maximum for LGA 1155 is Core i7-3770K.

6. Use Cases

- Office Tasks: Document work, browsing (up to 10 tabs), Zoom.

- Multimedia: Viewing 1080p video through VLC or Kodi. 4K is not supported.

- Light Gaming: Half-Life 2, Stardew Valley, emulators up to PS1.

- Home Server: NAS on OpenMediaVault due to low TDP.

Real Experience: A user from Reddit built a media center on G640T with LibreELEC: “Runs quietly, handles 1080p, but sometimes lags when starting heavy Kodi add-ons.”

7. Comparison with Competitors

- Intel Celeron G5905 (2020): 2 cores / 2 threads, 3.5 GHz, LGA 1200. Price — $55.

- Conclusion: G5905 is 40% faster, but requires more expensive LGA 1200 motherboards.

- AMD Athlon 3000G (2019): 2 cores / 4 threads, Vega 3. Price — $70.

- Conclusion: Better in multi-threading and graphics, but more expensive components.

Summary: The G640T is only relevant if you have a strict budget or are using existing parts.

8. Practical Assembly Tips

1. Motherboard: Look for models with USB 3.0 (H67/Z68 chipsets). Check the condition of capacitors.

2. Memory: Use dual-channel mode to boost graphics performance.

3. Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient. For quiet operation — Arctic Alpine 11 GT ($12).

4. Storage: An SSD is essential (e.g., Kingston A400 240 GB, $25) — it will speed up system performance.

5. Case: A compact Mini-Tower is suitable (Fractal Design Core 1100, $45).

9. Final Conclusion: Who Should Choose the Pentium G640T?

This processor is suitable if:

- The budget is strictly limited ($200-250 for the entire build).

- An energy-efficient PC for simple tasks is needed.

- You have old components (DDR3, case, power supply).

Alternative for 2025: For $300, you can build a system based on the Intel Celeron G6900 (Alder Lake, 2 cores / 2 threads), which will be 70% faster and supports DDR4.

Conclusion: The Pentium G640T is a solution for enthusiasts, upgrades of old machines, or specific tasks. In other cases, it's better to consider modern budget CPUs.

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Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
April 2012
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.
G640T
Code Name
Sandy Bridge

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).
2
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
2
Basic Frequency
2.40 GHz
Intel Turbo Boost Technology
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.
No
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
?
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.
No
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
FCLGA1155
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.
32 nm
TDP
35 W
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
2.0
Number of PCI Express Lanes
?
A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.
16
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.
64-bit
Intel 64
?
Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.
Yes

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.
DDR3 1066
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
32 GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2
Bus Speed
5 GT/s
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).
17 GB/s

GPU Specifications

GPU Name
Intel® HD Graphics for 2nd Generation Intel® Processors
Graphics Frequency
?
Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.
1.10 GHz
Graphics Base Frequency
?
Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.
650 MHz
Number of Displays Supported
2

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.
No
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.
Yes
Instruction Set Extensions
Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
?
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.
Yes
Execute Disable Bit
?
Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.
Yes
Cache
?
CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.
3 MB Intel® Smart Cache
Intel AES New Instructions
?
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.
No
Intel Clear Video HD Technology
?
Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.
No
Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)
?
Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.
Yes
Intel InTru 3D Technology
No
Intel Flex Memory Access
Yes
Intel Quick Sync Video
?
Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.
No

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
365
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
686
Passmark CPU
Single Core Score
1102
Passmark CPU
Multi Core Score
1139

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 5 Single Core
Xeon E5-2683 v3
426 +16.7%
Phenom II X4 840
401 +9.9%
Pentium G640T
365
A6-4400M
331 -9.3%
EPYC 7551
296 -18.9%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
Celeron 4205U
852 +24.2%
Pentium N3700
782 +14%
Pentium G640T
686
A6-5357M
583 -15%
Opteron 3320 EE
468 -31.8%
Passmark CPU Single Core
A8-3850
1217 +10.4%
Opteron 6376
1165 +5.7%
Pentium G640T
1102
Core i3-2370M
1065 -3.4%
Core i3-2348M
1009 -8.4%
Passmark CPU Multi Core
Athlon 5150
1388 +21.9%
A4-4020
1268 +11.3%
Pentium G640T
1139
Celeron 1037U
989 -13.2%
Celeron 887
754 -33.8%