Core i7-6700HQ vs Xeon E3-1240L v5

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 i7-6700HQ vs Xeon E3-1240L v5 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 i7-6700HQ vs Xeon E3-1240L v5: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6700HQ

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,522 vs 6,547).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌80% higher power demand at 45W vs 25W.

Xeon E3-1240L v5

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 25W instead of 45W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E3-1240L v5 better than Core i7-6700HQ?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1240L v5 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-6700HQ 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 E3-1240L v5 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E3-1240L v5 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E3-1240L v5 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark.

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

Xeon E3-1240L v5 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB) 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 i7-6700HQ vs Xeon E3-1240L v5 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-6700HQ

The Core i7-6700HQ 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 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 6,522 points. Launch price was $378.

Xeon E3-1240L v5

The Xeon E3-1240L v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 25 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1866/2133, DDR3L-1333/1600. Passmark benchmark score: 6,547 points. Launch price was $278.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6700HQ and Xeon E3-1240L v5 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6700HQ versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E3-1240L v5 — a 9% clock advantage for the Core i7-6700HQ (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-6700HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1240L v5 uses Skylake-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6700HQ scores 6,522 against the Xeon E3-1240L v5's 6,547 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon E3-1240L v5. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-6700HQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1240L v5.

Feature	Core i7-6700HQ	Xeon E3-1240L v5
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+9%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+24%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Skylake-DT (2015)
PassMark	6,522	6,547

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-6700HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1240L v5 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.