Core i7-3940XM vs Core i7-8565U

Core i7-3940XM

4 Cores8 Thrd55 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2012

Core i7-8565U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2018

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-3940XM

4 / 8

5,957

0.0%

5,976

+0.3%

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 i7-3940XM is positioned at rank 936 and the Core i7-8565U is on rank 988, so the Core i7-3940XM 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 i7-3940XM

#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 Per Dollar Core i7-8565U

#976

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2008%

#977

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1979%

#978

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1817%

#979

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1808%

#980

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1792%

#982

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1730%

#983

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1659%

#984

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1656%

#985

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1612%

#988

Core i7-8565U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#991

Pentium 8500

MSRP: $200|Avg: $200

99%

#992

A6-8500P

MSRP: $100|Avg: $16

99%

#994

Core i7-4700EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $180

98%

#995

Core i3-8145UE

MSRP: $281|Avg: $50

98%

#996

Core i7-4712MQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $60

96%

#997

Core i7-3615QE

MSRP: $400|Avg: $100

96%

#998

Celeron M U3400

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

96%

#999

3015Ce

MSRP: $150|Avg: $40

96%

#1000

Core i7-4700MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

96%

#1001

Athlon II M340

MSRP: $80|Avg: $15

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i7-8565U (2018) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-3940XM	Core i7-8565U
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)	✨ Modern (Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3940XM (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-3940XM	Core i7-8565U
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.

Core i7-3940XM Benchmark Check

Core i7-8565U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3940XM and Core i7-8565U

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 i7-8565U

The Core i7-8565U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,976 points. Launch price was $409.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3940XM and Core i7-8565U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3940XM versus 4.6 GHz on the Core i7-8565U — a 16.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-8565U (base: 3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i7-3940XM uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-8565U uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3940XM scores 5,957 against the Core i7-8565U's 5,976 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-8565U. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-3940XM	Core i7-8565U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.6 GHz+18%
Base Clock	3 GHz+67%	1.8 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)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	5,957	5,976
Geekbench 6 Single	720	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3940XM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8565U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3940XM	Core i7-8565U
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1528
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3940XM) / not specified (Core i7-8565U). The Core i7-3940XM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Core i7-8565U requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3940XM targets Extreme Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3940XM rivals A10-5750M.