Core i7-3840QM vs Xeon E5-1620
Core i7-3840QM
Xeon E5-1620
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 E5-1620 is on rank 953, 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 E5-1620
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3840QM | Xeon E5-1620 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($70) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3840QM | Xeon E5-1620 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($70) |
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 E5-1620
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.
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 |
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 — 168.6% 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 | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
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.
| Feature | Core i7-3840QM | Xeon E5-1620 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 4000 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | true |
| Target Use | Mobile Workstation | — |
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