CPU
GPU
Core i7-820QM
Xeon E5503
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-820QM is positioned at rank 1231 and the Xeon E5503 is on rank 895, so the Xeon E5503 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-820QM
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5503
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-820QM | Xeon E5503 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($546) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Gainestown (2009−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-820QM | Xeon E5503 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($546) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-820QM and Xeon E5503
Core i7-820QM
The Core i7-820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 September 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.73 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 1,819 points. Launch price was $546.
Xeon E5503
The Xeon E5503 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gainestown (2009−2010) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,815 points. Launch price was $287.
Processing Power
The Core i7-820QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5503 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i7-820QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-820QM versus 2 GHz on the Xeon E5503 — a 41.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-820QM (base: 1.73 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-820QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Xeon E5503 uses Gainestown (2009−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-820QM scores 1,819 against the Xeon E5503's 1,815 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-820QM. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-820QM vs 4 MB (total) on the Xeon E5503.
| Feature | Core i7-820QM | Xeon E5503 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 2 |
| Boost Clock | 3.06 GHz+53% | 2 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.73 GHz | 2 GHz+16% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+100% | 4 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Clarksfield (2009−2010) | Gainestown (2009−2010) |
| PassMark | 1,819 | 1,815 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-820QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Xeon E5503 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-820QM | Xeon E5503 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | 1333 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: true (Core i7-820QM) / not specified (Xeon E5503). Direct competitor: Core i7-820QM rivals Core 2 Quad Q9000.
| Feature | Core i7-820QM | Xeon E5503 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| IGPU Model | None | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | true | — |
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