Core i7-4940MX vs Core i7-6820HQ

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 i7-4940MX vs Core i7-6820HQ 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 i7-4940MX vs Core i7-6820HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4940MX

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌26.7% higher power demand at 57W vs 45W.

Core i7-6820HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 57W, a 12W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4940MX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,758 vs 6,783).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4940MX better than Core i7-6820HQ?

Yes. Core i7-4940MX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4940MX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.8% 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 i7-4940MX 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 i7-4940MX still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-4940MX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-6820HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4940MX vs Core i7-6820HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4940MX

The Core i7-4940MX 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 57 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,783 points. Launch price was $1,096.

Core i7-6820HQ

The Core i7-6820HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,758 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4940MX and Core i7-6820HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4940MX versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-6820HQ — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4940MX (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-4940MX uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6820HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4940MX scores 6,783 against the Core i7-6820HQ's 6,758 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-4940MX. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4940MX vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6820HQ.

Feature	Core i7-4940MX	Core i7-6820HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+11%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+15%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	6,783	6,758

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4940MX uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6820HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.