Core i7-3820QM vs Xeon E5649

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 i7-3820QM vs Xeon E5649 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 i7-3820QM vs Xeon E5649: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3820QM

2012

Why buy it

✅+45.5% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 45W instead of 80W, a 35W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Xeon E5649 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,607 vs 5,659).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5649, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon E5649

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (415 vs 604).
❌Launch MSRP is still $774 MSRP, while Core i7-3820QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌77.8% higher power demand at 80W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3820QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3820QM better than Xeon E5649?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5649 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3820QM 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 E5649 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-3820QM is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5649 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-3820QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $774 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.2% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5649 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.9% better PassMark. Xeon E5649 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-3820QM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3820QM vs Xeon E5649 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3820QM

The Core i7-3820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 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: 8 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: 5,607 points. Launch price was $498.

Xeon E5649

The Xeon E5649 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.53 GHz, with boost up to 2.93 GHz. L3 cache: 12288 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,659 points. Launch price was $45.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3820QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5649 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5649 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3820QM versus 2.93 GHz on the Xeon E5649 — a 23.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-3820QM (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.53 GHz). The Core i7-3820QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5649 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3820QM scores 5,607 against the Xeon E5649's 5,659 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5649. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 604 vs 415, a 37.1% lead for the Core i7-3820QM that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-3820QM vs 12288 kB (total) on the Xeon E5649.

Feature	Core i7-3820QM	Xeon E5649
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+26%	2.93 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+7%	2.53 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12288 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	5,607	5,659
Geekbench 6 Single	604+46%	415
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,109

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3820QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5649 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3820QM versus DDR3 1333 MHz on the Xeon E5649 — the Core i7-3820QM supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5649 supports up to 288 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 800% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-3820QM) vs 3 (Xeon E5649). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-3820QM) vs 0 (Xeon E5649) — the Core i7-3820QM offers 16 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3820QM) and Intel 5520,Intel X58 (Xeon E5649).

Feature	Core i7-3820QM	Xeon E5649
Socket	PGA988	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600+20%	DDR3 1333 MHz
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	288 GB+800%
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	0

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3820QM) vs true (Xeon E5649). The Core i7-3820QM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon E5649 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3820QM targets High Performance Laptop, Xeon E5649 targets Server. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820QM rivals A10-4600M.