Core i5-8365U vs Core i7-3940XM

Core i5-8365U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2019

Core i7-3940XM

4 Cores8 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-8365U

4 / 8

5,939

0.0%

5,957

+0.3%

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 i5-8365U is positioned at rank 880 and the Core i7-3940XM is on rank 936, so the Core i5-8365U 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 i5-8365U

#865

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1467%

#866

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1446%

#867

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1327%

#868

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1321%

#869

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1309%

#871

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1264%

#872

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1212%

#873

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1210%

#874

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1178%

#879

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

100%

#880

Core i5-8365U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#881

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

100%

#886

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

99%

#887

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

98%

#888

E-300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $20

98%

#889

Core i7-7820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#892

Pentium B940

MSRP: $134|Avg: $11

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3940XM

#924

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1694%

#925

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1669%

#926

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1532%

#927

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1525%

#928

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1511%

#930

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1460%

#931

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1400%

#932

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1397%

#933

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1360%

#936

Core i7-3940XM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#939

FX-7600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

98%

#940

Athlon II M300

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

98%

#944

Athlon Neo X2 L335

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

96%

#945

Core i7-3610QE

MSRP: $315|Avg: $105

96%

#948

A8-8600P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

95%

#950

FX-9800P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

95%

#951

Celeron 1020E

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-8365U (2019) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-8365U	Core i7-3940XM
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3940XM (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-8365U	Core i7-3940XM
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

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 i5-8365U Benchmark Check

Core i7-3940XM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8365U and Core i7-3940XM

Core i5-8365U

The Core i5-8365U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,939 points. Launch price was $297.

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.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8365U and Core i7-3940XM share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8365U versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3940XM — a 5% clock advantage for the Core i5-8365U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i5-8365U uses the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3940XM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8365U scores 5,939 against the Core i7-3940XM's 5,957 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-3940XM. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8365U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-3940XM.

Feature	Core i5-8365U	Core i7-3940XM
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+5%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	3 GHz+87%
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	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	5,939	5,957
Geekbench 6 Single	—	720

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8365U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3940XM uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8365U	Core i7-3940XM
Socket	FCBGA1528	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-8365U) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3940XM). The Core i7-3940XM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i5-8365U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3940XM targets Extreme Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3940XM rivals A10-5750M.