Core i7-3940XM vs Core i7-4770HQ

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 i7-3940XM vs Core i7-4770HQ 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 i7-3940XM vs Core i7-4770HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3940XM

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,957 vs 6,028).
❌17% higher power demand at 55W vs 47W.

Core i7-4770HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 47W instead of 55W, a 8W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3940XM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4770HQ better than Core i7-3940XM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3940XM is ahead with a 8.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4770HQ pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4770HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4770HQ still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-4770HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark.

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

Core i7-4770HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and 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 i7-3940XM vs Core i7-4770HQ Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-4770HQ

The Core i7-4770HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,028 points. Launch price was $434.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3940XM and Core i7-4770HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3940XM versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-4770HQ — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3940XM (base: 3 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i7-3940XM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4770HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3940XM scores 5,957 against the Core i7-4770HQ's 6,028 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-4770HQ. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-3940XM	Core i7-4770HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+15%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+36%	2.2 GHz
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)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,957	6,028+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,249
Geekbench 6 Single	720	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3940XM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4770HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. 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 i7-3940XM) and Mobile (Core i7-4770HQ).

Feature	Core i7-3940XM	Core i7-4770HQ
Socket	PGA988	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-3940XM has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3940XM) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4770HQ). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3940XM) and Iris Pro Graphics 5200 (Core i7-4770HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3940XM targets Extreme Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3940XM rivals A10-5750M.

Feature	Core i7-3940XM	Core i7-4770HQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	Iris Pro Graphics 5200
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Extreme Performance Laptop	—