Core i7-3840QM
VS
Core i7-3940XM

Core i7-3840QM vs Core i7-3940XM

Intel

Core i7-3840QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2012
VS
Intel

Core i7-3940XM

4 Cores8 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2012

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 i7-3840QM is positioned at rank 238 and the Core i7-3940XM is on rank 936, so the Core i7-3840QM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3840QM

#64
Ryzen AI Max PRO 390
MSRP: $600|Avg: $600
98%
#226
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
400%
#227
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
394%
#228
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
362%
#229
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
360%
#230
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
357%
#232
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
344%
#233
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
330%
#234
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
330%
#235
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
321%
#238
Core i7-3840QM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3940XM

#924
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1694%
#925
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1669%
#926
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1532%
#927
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1525%
#928
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1511%
#930
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1460%
#931
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1400%
#932
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1397%
#933
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1360%
#936
Core i7-3940XM
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#939
FX-7600P
MSRP: $150|Avg: $45
98%
#940
Athlon II M300
MSRP: $100|Avg: $10
98%
#944
Athlon Neo X2 L335
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
96%
#945
Core i7-3610QE
MSRP: $315|Avg: $105
96%
#948
A8-8600P
MSRP: $150|Avg: $30
95%
#950
FX-9800P
MSRP: $150|Avg: $45
95%
#951
Celeron 1020E
MSRP: $86|Avg: $20
94%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-3940XM delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-3840QM in both compute-intensive tasks (1.5% faster) and gaming workloads.
InsightCore i7-3840QMCore i7-3940XM
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

InsightCore i7-3840QMCore i7-3940XM
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
Equivalent pricing
Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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 i7-3840QM and Core i7-3940XM

Intel

Core i7-3840QM

The Core i7-3840QM 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 5,871 points. Launch price was $568.

Intel

Core i7-3940XM

The Core i7-3940XM 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,957 points. Launch price was $1,096.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3840QM and Core i7-3940XM share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3840QM versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3940XM — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-3940XM (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-3840QM scores 5,871 against the Core i7-3940XM's 5,957 — a 1.5% lead for the Core i7-3940XM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 676 vs 720, a 6.3% lead for the Core i7-3940XM that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

FeatureCore i7-3840QMCore i7-3940XM
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz
3.9 GHz+3%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3 GHz+7%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm
22 nm
Architecture
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark
5,871
5,957+1%
Geekbench 6 Single
676
720+7%
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the PGA988 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3840QM) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3940XM).

FeatureCore i7-3840QMCore i7-3940XM
Socket
PGA988
PGA988
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1600
DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-3940XM has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3840QM) and HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3940XM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3840QM targets Mobile Workstation, Core i7-3940XM targets Extreme Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3840QM rivals A10-5750M; Core i7-3940XM rivals A10-5750M.

FeatureCore i7-3840QMCore i7-3940XM
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 4000
HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Mobile Workstation
Extreme Performance Laptop