Core i7-3840QM vs Xeon E5-1620

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 i7-3840QM vs Xeon E5-1620 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 i7-3840QM vs Xeon E5-1620: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3840QM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 4000, while Xeon E5-1620 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1620, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1620

2012

Why buy it

✅+25% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3840QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,848 vs 5,871).
❌Launch MSRP is still $885 MSRP, while Core i7-3840QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-3840QM can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3840QM better than Xeon E5-1620?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-3840QM is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-3840QM is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.2% 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, Core i7-3840QM is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-3840QM is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E5-1620 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-3840QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E5-1620 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (6.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-3840QM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3840QM vs Xeon E5-1620 Technical Specifications

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

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 E5-1620

The Xeon E5-1620 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 10240 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,848 points. Launch price was $313.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3840QM and Xeon E5-1620 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3840QM versus 3.8 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-3840QM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3840QM scores 5,871 against the Xeon E5-1620's 5,848 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-3840QM. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 676 vs 612, a 9.9% lead for the Core i7-3840QM that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-3840QM vs 10240 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620.

Feature	Core i7-3840QM	Xeon E5-1620
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.6 GHz+29%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	10240 kB (total)+25%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	5,871	5,848
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,469
Geekbench 6 Single	676+10%	612
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,250

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3840QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Xeon E5-1620 supports up to 375 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 1071.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-3840QM) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1620). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-3840QM) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1620) — the Xeon E5-1620 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3840QM) and Intel C600,Intel X79 (Xeon E5-1620).

Feature	Core i7-3840QM	Xeon E5-1620
Socket	PGA988	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	375 GB+1072%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3840QM) vs true (Xeon E5-1620). The Core i7-3840QM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon E5-1620 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3840QM targets Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Core i7-3840QM rivals A10-5750M.