Core i7-2820QM vs Xeon E5-1603 v4
Core i7-2820QM
Xeon E5-1603 v4
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 i7-2820QM is positioned at rank 1138 and the Xeon E5-1603 v4 is on rank 599, so the Xeon E5-1603 v4 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2820QM
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5-1603 v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-2820QM | Xeon E5-1603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($568) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / Standard Node) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-2820QM | Xeon E5-1603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($568) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 i7-2820QM and Xeon E5-1603 v4
Core i7-2820QM
The Core i7-2820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 4,379 points. Launch price was $568.
Xeon E5-1603 v4
The Xeon E5-1603 v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Passmark benchmark score: 4,355 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2820QM is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i7-2820QM scores 4,379 against the Xeon E5-1603 v4's 4,355 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-2820QM.
| Feature | Core i7-2820QM | Xeon E5-1603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | — |
| Boost Clock | 3.4 GHz | — |
| Base Clock | 2.3 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | — |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | — |
| Process | 32 nm | — |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) | — |
| PassMark | 4,379 | 4,355 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 554 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,763 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-2820QM) / not specified (Xeon E5-1603 v4). The Core i7-2820QM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Xeon E5-1603 v4 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2820QM rivals AMD A8-3510MX.
| Feature | Core i7-2820QM | Xeon E5-1603 v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | Intel HD Graphics 3000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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