Core i7-4910MQ vs Xeon E5-2640

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 i7-4910MQ vs Xeon E5-2640 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 i7-4910MQ vs Xeon E5-2640: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4910MQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Costs $315 less on MSRP ($570 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Delivers 55.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 11.0 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($570 MSRP vs $885 MSRP).
✅Draws 47W instead of 95W, a 48W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,297 vs 6,305).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2640, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2640

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 11.0 PassMark/$ ($885 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).
❌102.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4910MQ better than Xeon E5-2640?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2640 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4910MQ is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2640 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-4910MQ is the better buy right now. Core i7-4910MQ comes in $315 cheaper on MSRP at $570 MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.4% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-2640 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 55.1% better value on MSRP (11.0 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-4910MQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4910MQ vs Xeon E5-2640 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4910MQ

The Core i7-4910MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 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: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,297 points. Launch price was $568.

Xeon E5-2640

The Xeon E5-2640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 6 March 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 15360 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,305 points. Launch price was $162.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4910MQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2640 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2640 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4910MQ versus 3 GHz on the Xeon E5-2640 — a 26.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-4910MQ (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-4910MQ uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2640 uses Sandy Bridge-EP (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4910MQ scores 6,297 against the Xeon E5-2640's 6,305 — a 0.1% lead for the Xeon E5-2640. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4910MQ vs 15360 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2640.

Feature	Core i7-4910MQ	Xeon E5-2640
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+30%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15360 kB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Sandy Bridge-EP (2012)
PassMark	6,297	6,305

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4910MQ uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2640 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4910MQ	Xeon E5-2640
Socket	PGA946	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	—	384 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	40

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4910MQ) / VT-x, VT-d (Xeon E5-2640). Primary use case: Xeon E5-2640 targets Server.

Feature	Core i7-4910MQ	Xeon E5-2640
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Server

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4910MQ was priced at $570, while the Xeon E5-2640 came in at $885. On launch pricing ($570 vs $885), Core i7-4910MQ was $315 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4910MQ delivers 11.0 pts/$ vs 7.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-2640 — making the Core i7-4910MQ the 43.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4910MQ	Xeon E5-2640
MSRP	$570-36%	$885
Performance per Dollar	11.0+55%	7.1
Release Date	2014	2012

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