Core i7-4940MX vs Xeon E5-2448L

Intel

Core i7-4940MX

4 Cores8 Thrd57 WWMax: 4 GHz2014
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2448L

8 Cores16 Thrd70 WWMax: 2.1 GHz2012
Similar parts
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Core i7-4940MX vs Xeon E5-2448L Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i7-4940MX vs Xeon E5-2448L 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 Xeon E5-2448L: 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

  • Draws 57W instead of 70W, a 13W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 20 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2448L, which brings 8 cores / 16 threads.

Xeon E5-2448L

2012

Why buy it

  • +150% larger total L3 cache (20 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 8 cores / 16 threads.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (6,774 vs 6,783).
  • 22.8% higher power demand at 70W vs 57W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4940MX better than Xeon E5-2448L?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2448L makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4940MX is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4940MX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.8% 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 0.1% 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 2.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-4940MX 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 8/16. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4940MX vs Xeon E5-2448L Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

Intel

Xeon E5-2448L

The Xeon E5-2448L is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.1 GHz. L3 cache: 20480 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 70 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,774 points. Launch price was $800.

Processing Power

The Core i7-4940MX packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2448L offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Xeon E5-2448L has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4940MX versus 2.1 GHz on the Xeon E5-2448L — a 62.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-4940MX (base: 3.1 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i7-4940MX uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon E5-2448L uses Sandy Bridge-EN (2012) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4940MX scores 6,783 against the Xeon E5-2448L's 6,774 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-4940MX. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4940MX vs 20480 kB (total) on the Xeon E5-2448L.

FeatureCore i7-4940MXXeon E5-2448L
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock
4 GHz+90%
2.1 GHz
Base Clock
3.1 GHz+72%
1.8 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
20480 kB (total)+150%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256 kB (per core)
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Sandy Bridge-EN (2012)
PassMark
6,783
6,774
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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4940MX uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2448L uses LGA1356 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-4940MXXeon E5-2448L
Socket
PGA946
LGA1356
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0