Core i5-4310M vs Core i7-940

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.

Core i5-4310M vs Core i7-940 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-4310M vs Core i7-940: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-4310M

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-940 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).
❌51100% higher power demand at 512W vs 1W.

Core i7-940

2008

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 1W instead of 512W, a 511W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (36 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,029 vs 3,067).
❌Launch MSRP is still $562 MSRP, while Core i5-4310M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-940 better than Core i5-4310M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-940 is ahead with a 9.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4310M pulls ahead with 1.3% better PassMark. Core i7-940 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4310M is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-940 is the better buy right now. Core i7-940 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $562 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-4310M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.3% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-4310M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2008) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4310M vs Core i7-940 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-4310M

The Core i5-4310M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,067 points. Launch price was $225.

Core i7-940

The Core i7-940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,029 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-4310M packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-940 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-940 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-4310M versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-940 — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-4310M (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.93 GHz). The Core i5-4310M uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-940 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4310M scores 3,067 against the Core i7-940's 3,029 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-4310M. L3 cache: 3 MB on the Core i5-4310M vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-940.

Feature	Core i5-4310M	Core i7-940
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+6%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.93 GHz+9%
L3 Cache	3 MB	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	512 kB+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	3,067+1%	3,029

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4310M uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-940 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-4310M	Core i7-940
Socket	PGA946	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	24 GB
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	36