
Core i7-840QM vs Core i5-2435M

Core i7-840QM

Core i5-2435M
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 i7-840QM is positioned at rank 812 and the Core i5-2435M is on rank 548, so the Core i5-2435M offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-840QM
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-2435M
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-840QM | Core i5-2435M |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Clarksfield (2009−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-840QM | Core i5-2435M |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 i7-840QM and Core i5-2435M

Core i7-840QM
The Core i7-840QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 June 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.86 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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. Passmark benchmark score: 2,025 points. Launch price was $568.

Core i5-2435M
The Core i5-2435M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,035 points. Launch price was $225.
Processing Power
The Core i7-840QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i5-2435M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-840QM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-840QM versus 3 GHz on the Core i5-2435M — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-840QM (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-840QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i5-2435M uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-840QM scores 2,025 against the Core i5-2435M's 2,035 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i5-2435M. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 390 vs 525, a 29.5% lead for the Core i5-2435M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,050 vs 1,025 (2.4% advantage for the Core i7-840QM). L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-840QM vs 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-2435M.
| Feature | Core i7-840QM | Core i5-2435M |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8+100% | 2 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+7% | 3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 1.86 GHz | 2.4 GHz+29% |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total)+167% | 3 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 32 nm-29% |
| Architecture | Clarksfield (2009−2010) | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 2,025 | 2,035 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 390 | 525+35% |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 1,050+2% | 1,025 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-840QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-2435M uses BGA1023 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. The Core i5-2435M supports up to 16 GB of RAM compared to 8 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: PM55,HM55,QM57,HM57 (Core i7-840QM) and HM65,HM67 (Core i5-2435M).
| Feature | Core i7-840QM | Core i5-2435M |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | PGA988 | BGA1023 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1333 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 8 GB | 16 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i5-2435M includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Core i7-840QM requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-840QM targets Laptop, Core i5-2435M targets Legacy Laptop.
| Feature | Core i7-840QM | Core i5-2435M |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Laptop | Legacy Laptop |
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