Core i7-840QM vs Core M-5Y51

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 i7-840QM vs Core M-5Y51 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 i7-840QM vs Core M-5Y51: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-840QM

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 512W, a 467W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,025 vs 2,030).

Core M-5Y51

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-840QM across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $281 MSRP, while Core i7-840QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌1037.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core M-5Y51 better than Core i7-840QM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-840QM is ahead with a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core M-5Y51 pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i7-840QM also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core M-5Y51 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core M-5Y51 is the better buy right now. Core M-5Y51 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $281 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-840QM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core M-5Y51 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-840QM vs Core M-5Y51 Technical Specifications

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

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 M-5Y51

The Core M-5Y51 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 October 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-Y (2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1234. Thermal design power (TDP): 4.5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,030 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-840QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core M-5Y51 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 2.6 GHz on the Core M-5Y51 — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-840QM (base: 1.86 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-840QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core M-5Y51 uses Broadwell-Y (2014) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-840QM scores 2,025 against the Core M-5Y51's 2,030 — a 0.2% lead for the Core M-5Y51. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-840QM vs 4 MB (total) on the Core M-5Y51.

Feature	Core i7-840QM	Core M-5Y51
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+23%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.86 GHz+69%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Clarksfield (2009−2010)	Broadwell-Y (2014)
PassMark	2,025	2,030
Geekbench 6 Single	390	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,050	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-840QM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core M-5Y51 uses FCBGA1234 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-840QM	Core M-5Y51
Socket	PGA988	FCBGA1234
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	8 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—