
Core i5-6440EQ vs Xeon E3-1240

Core i5-6440EQ

Xeon E3-1240
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i5-6440EQ is positioned at rank 765 and the Xeon E3-1240 is on rank 627, so the Xeon E3-1240 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6440EQ
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1240
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E3-1240 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($39) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E3-1240 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+287%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($39) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6440EQ and Xeon E3-1240

Core i5-6440EQ
The Core i5-6440EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,329 points. Launch price was $250.

Xeon E3-1240
The Xeon E3-1240 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,361 points. Launch price was $209.
Processing Power
The Core i5-6440EQ packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1240's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the Core i5-6440EQ versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240 — a 31.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E3-1240. The Core i5-6440EQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1240 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6440EQ scores 5,329 against the Xeon E3-1240's 5,361 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1240. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6440EQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1240.
| Feature | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E3-1240 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.7 GHz+37% |
| Base Clock | — | 3.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 1 MB+300% | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-56% | 32 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake (2015−2016) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 5,329 | 5,361 |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | 3,500 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 900 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,136 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-6440EQ) / not specified (Xeon E3-1240). The Core i5-6440EQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Xeon E3-1240 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6440EQ targets Workstation.
| Feature | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E3-1240 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 530 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | — |
| Target Use | Workstation | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i5-6440EQ launched at $250 MSRP, while the Xeon E3-1240 debuted at $273. At current prices ($150 vs $39), the Xeon E3-1240 is $111 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-6440EQ delivers 35.5 pts/$ vs 137.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1240 — making the Xeon E3-1240 the 117.9% better value option.
| Feature | Core i5-6440EQ | Xeon E3-1240 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $250-8% | $273 |
| Avg Price (30d) | $150 | $39-74% |
| Performance per Dollar | 35.5 | 137.5+287% |
| Release Date | 2015 | 2011 |
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