CPU
GPU
Core i7-3840QM
Xeon E3-1515M v5
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 Xeon E3-1515M v5 is on rank 488, so the Core i7-3840QM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3840QM
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1515M v5
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3840QM | Xeon E3-1515M v5 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (Skylake-H (2015−2016) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3840QM | Xeon E3-1515M v5 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
Performance Check
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 Xeon E3-1515M v5
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.
Xeon E3-1515M v5
The Xeon E3-1515M v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,925 points. Launch price was $489.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-3840QM and Xeon E3-1515M v5 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3840QM versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3840QM (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-3840QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses Skylake-H (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3840QM scores 5,871 against the Xeon E3-1515M v5's 5,925 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1515M v5. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 676 vs 1,017, a 40.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1515M v5 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-3840QM | Xeon E3-1515M v5 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+3% | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 14 nm-36% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Skylake-H (2015−2016) |
| PassMark | 5,871 | 5,925 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 676 | 1,017+50% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3840QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3840QM versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 — the Xeon E3-1515M v5 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E3-1515M v5 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3840QM) and SoC (Xeon E3-1515M v5).
| Feature | Core i7-3840QM | Xeon E3-1515M v5 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | BGA1440 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR4-2133+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3840QM) and Iris Pro Graphics P580 (Xeon E3-1515M v5) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3840QM targets Mobile Workstation, Xeon E3-1515M v5 targets Productivity. Direct competitor: Core i7-3840QM rivals A10-5750M; Xeon E3-1515M v5 rivals Core i7-6700HQ.
| Feature | Core i7-3840QM | Xeon E3-1515M v5 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4000 | Iris Pro Graphics P580 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Mobile Workstation | Productivity |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Core i7-3840QM and Xeon E3-1515M v5
