Core i5-6600 vs Core i7-3940XM

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 i5-6600 vs Core i7-3940XM 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 i5-6600 vs Core i7-3940XM: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-6600

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3940XM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $224 MSRP, while Core i7-3940XM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌18.2% higher power demand at 65W vs 55W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3940XM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-3940XM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +13.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 65W, a 10W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Core i5-6600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,957 vs 6,058).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6600 better than Core i7-3940XM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3940XM is ahead with a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6600 pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark. Core i7-3940XM also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6600 is the better buy right now. Core i5-6600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $224 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3940XM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 13.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (27.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 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 i5-6600 vs Core i7-3940XM Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6600

The Core i5-6600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,058 points. Launch price was $224.

Core i7-3940XM

The Core i7-3940XM 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 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,957 points. Launch price was $1,096.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-6600 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3940XM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i5-6600 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3940XM — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-6600 uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3940XM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6600 scores 6,058 against the Core i7-3940XM's 5,957 — a 1.7% lead for the Core i5-6600. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-6600 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-3940XM.

Feature	Core i5-6600	Core i7-3940XM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.3 GHz+10%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	6,058+2%	5,957
Geekbench 6 Single	—	720

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-6600 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3940XM uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-6600	Core i7-3940XM
Socket	LGA1151	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-6600) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3940XM). The Core i7-3940XM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i5-6600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3940XM targets Extreme Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3940XM rivals A10-5750M.