Core i7-2840QM vs Pentium Gold G5600

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 i7-2840QM vs Pentium Gold G5600 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 i7-2840QM vs Pentium Gold G5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-2840QM

2011

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 54W, a 9W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,842 vs 3,844).
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium Gold G5600 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium Gold G5600

2018

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-2840QM needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌20% higher power demand at 54W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G5600 better than Core i7-2840QM?

Yes. Pentium Gold G5600 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Pentium Gold G5600 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium Gold G5600 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Pentium Gold G5600 still makes the most sense overall. Pentium Gold G5600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Pentium Gold G5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2011) 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 i7-2840QM vs Pentium Gold G5600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-2840QM

The Core i7-2840QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 2.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: G2. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 3,842 points. Launch price was $69.

Pentium Gold G5600

The Pentium Gold G5600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,844 points. Launch price was $93.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-2840QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5600 offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-2840QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.4 GHz on the Core i7-2840QM versus 3.9 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5600 — a 47.6% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5600. The Core i7-2840QM uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5600 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-2840QM scores 3,842 against the Pentium Gold G5600's 3,844 — a 0.1% lead for the Pentium Gold G5600. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i7-2840QM vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G5600.

Feature	Core i7-2840QM	Pentium Gold G5600
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	2.4 GHz	3.9 GHz+63%
Base Clock	—	3.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,842	3,844
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,200
Geekbench 6 Single	—	837

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-2840QM uses the G2 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G5600 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-2840QM	Pentium Gold G5600
Socket	G2	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4 2400 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-2840QM) / true (Pentium Gold G5600). The Pentium Gold G5600 includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-2840QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Pentium Gold G5600 targets Desktop.