Core i7-7920HQ vs Xeon E3-1280 v3

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 i7-7920HQ vs Xeon E3-1280 v3 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 i7-7920HQ vs Xeon E3-1280 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-7920HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 82W, a 37W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Xeon E3-1280 v3

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7920HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,252 vs 7,322).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i7-7920HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌82.2% higher power demand at 82W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7920HQ better than Xeon E3-1280 v3?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1280 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-7920HQ 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 i7-7920HQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.5% 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 i7-7920HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-7920HQ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon E3-1280 v3 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-7920HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon E3-1280 v3 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (29.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-7920HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013) 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 i7-7920HQ vs Xeon E3-1280 v3 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7920HQ

The Core i7-7920HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,322 points. Launch price was $378.

Xeon E3-1280 v3

The Xeon E3-1280 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-WS (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 82 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,252 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-7920HQ and Xeon E3-1280 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-7920HQ versus 4 GHz on the Xeon E3-1280 v3 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-7920HQ (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-7920HQ uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses Haswell-WS (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7920HQ scores 7,322 against the Xeon E3-1280 v3's 7,252 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-7920HQ. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7920HQ vs 8192 kB (total) on the Xeon E3-1280 v3.

Feature	Core i7-7920HQ	Xeon E3-1280 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+2%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.6 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Haswell-WS (2013−2014)
PassMark	7,322	7,252

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7920HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1280 v3 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.