Core i7-3740QM vs Xeon Bronze 3106

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 i7-3740QM vs Xeon Bronze 3106 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 i7-3740QM vs Xeon Bronze 3106: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3740QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 85W, a 40W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Bronze 3106 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,710 vs 5,753).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 11 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon Bronze 3106, which brings 8 cores / 8 threads and 48 PCIe lanes.

Xeon Bronze 3106

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+83.3% larger total L3 cache (11 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 8 threads, plus 48 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $395 MSRP, while Core i7-3740QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌88.9% higher power demand at 85W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Bronze 3106 better than Core i7-3740QM?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Bronze 3106 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3740QM is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Bronze 3106 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.9% 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, Xeon Bronze 3106 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 83.3% larger total L3 cache (11 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon Bronze 3106 is the better buy right now. Xeon Bronze 3106 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $395 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon Bronze 3106 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2012), 83.3% larger total L3 cache (11 MB vs 6 MB), more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3740QM vs Xeon Bronze 3106 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3740QM

The Core i7-3740QM 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,710 points. Launch price was $378.

Xeon Bronze 3106

The Xeon Bronze 3106 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 11 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 5,753 points. Launch price was $306.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3740QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon Bronze 3106 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon Bronze 3106 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3740QM versus 3 GHz on the Xeon Bronze 3106 — a 20.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-3740QM (base: 2.7 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Core i7-3740QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon Bronze 3106 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3740QM scores 5,710 against the Xeon Bronze 3106's 5,753 — a 0.8% lead for the Xeon Bronze 3106. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3740QM vs 11 MB (total) on the Xeon Bronze 3106.

Feature	Core i7-3740QM	Xeon Bronze 3106
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+23%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+59%	1.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	11 MB (total)+83%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	5,710	5,753

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3740QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Bronze 3106 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.