Core i7-3740QM vs Xeon E3-1220 v5

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 E3-1220 v5 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 E3-1220 v5: 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

✅Better for gaming: +20.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,710 vs 5,713).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E3-1220 v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3740QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $203 MSRP, while Core i7-3740QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1220 v5 better than Core i7-3740QM?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1220 v5 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 streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E3-1220 v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1220 v5 is the better buy right now. Xeon E3-1220 v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $203 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-3740QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 20.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (28.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 E3-1220 v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), 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 i7-3740QM vs Xeon E3-1220 v5 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 E3-1220 v5

The Xeon E3-1220 v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 5,713 points. Launch price was $203.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-3740QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3740QM versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v5 — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-3740QM (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-3740QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3740QM scores 5,710 against the Xeon E3-1220 v5's 5,713 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1220 v5. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-3740QM vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v5.

Feature	Core i7-3740QM	Xeon E3-1220 v5
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	5,710	5,713

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3740QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1220 v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.