Core i3-3220 vs Core i7-940XM

CPU

GPU

Core i3-3220

2 Cores4 Thrd0 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2012

Core i7-940XM

4 Cores8 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.33 GHz2010

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i3-3220

2 / 4

2,276

+0.3%

Celeron 847

Core i3-530

Pentium Dual Core T2390

2,269

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i3-3220 is positioned at rank 804 and the Core i7-940XM is on rank 1237, so the Core i3-3220 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i3-3220

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

16026%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

15143%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

10995%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3312%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2624%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2295%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1315%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1297%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1181%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1181%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1168%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1137%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1121%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1116%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1106%

#804

Core i3-3220

MSRP: $117|Avg: $88

100%

#805

Core i7-3770T

MSRP: $278|Avg: $105

100%

#807

Core i5-7442EQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: $50

99%

#808

Pentium G620

MSRP: $64|Avg: $12

99%

#809

Pentium G645T

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

99%

#812

Core i3-3250T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $15

99%

#813

Core i5-5575R

MSRP: $265|Avg: $50

98%

#815

Core i3-3210

MSRP: $117|Avg: $25

98%

#816

Celeron G3900E

MSRP: $107|Avg: $35

98%

#817

Athlon II X3 435

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

97%

#818

Core i7-6822EQ

MSRP: $294|Avg: $190

97%

#819

Athlon II X4 645

MSRP: $126|Avg: $20

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-940XM

#1225

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

14174%

#1226

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

13966%

#1227

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

12821%

#1228

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

12763%

#1229

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

12646%

#1231

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

12213%

#1232

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

11710%

#1233

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

11691%

#1234

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

11377%

#1237

Core i7-940XM

MSRP: $1096|Avg: N/A

100%

#1238

Core Solo T1350

MSRP: $200|Avg: $70

98%

#1240

Core Solo T1300

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

89%

#1241

Core Solo T1200

MSRP: $209|Avg: $10

82%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-940XM leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i3-3220 is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.3% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i3-3220	Core i7-940XM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($88)	⚠️ Higher cost ($1,096)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i3-3220 stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 92% cheaper ($88 vs $1,096) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i3-3220	Core i7-940XM
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+1149%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($88)	⚠️ Higher cost ($1,096)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i3-3220 Benchmark Check

Core i7-940XM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i3-3220 and Core i7-940XM

Core i3-3220

The Core i3-3220 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,276 points. Launch price was $117.

Core i7-940XM

The Core i7-940XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,269 points. Launch price was $1,096.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-3220 packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-940XM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-940XM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i3-3220 versus 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-940XM — a 0.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-940XM (base: 3.3 GHz vs 2.13 GHz). The Core i3-3220 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-940XM uses Clarksfield (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-3220 scores 2,276 against the Core i7-940XM's 2,269 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-3220. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i3-3220 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-940XM.

Feature	Core i3-3220	Core i7-940XM
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.33 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+55%	2.13 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
PassMark	2,276	2,269
Geekbench 6 Single	503	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-3220 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-940XM uses PGA988 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i3-3220 versus 1333 on the Core i7-940XM — the Core i7-940XM supports 199.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-3220 supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 8 — 120% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: B75,Z75,Z77,H77,Q75,Q77,H61,H67,P67,Z68 (Core i3-3220) and PM55,HM55,QM57 (Core i7-940XM).

Feature	Core i3-3220	Core i7-940XM
Socket	LGA1155	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	1333+44333%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+419430300%	8
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-940XM has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i3-3220) vs true (Core i7-940XM). The Core i3-3220 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Core i7-940XM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-3220 targets Budget Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-3220 rivals FX-4300; Core i7-940XM rivals Core i7-2720QM.