Core i7-840QM vs Phenom II X4 810

Core i7-840QM vs Phenom II X4 810 Performance Spectrum

Core i7-840QM

4 / 8

2,025

0.0%

2,036

+0.5%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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.

Core i7-840QM vs Phenom II X4 810 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 Phenom II X4 810: 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: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 95W, a 50W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,025 vs 2,036).

Phenom II X4 810

2009

Why buy it

✅+0.5% 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 $175 MSRP, while Core i7-840QM mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌111.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-840QM better than Phenom II X4 810?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-840QM is ahead with a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Phenom II X4 810 pulls ahead with 0.5% 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, Phenom II X4 810 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-840QM is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-840QM comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $175 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Phenom II X4 810 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2009 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on AM3.

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

Core i7-840QM makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2010 vs 2009) and 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-840QM vs Phenom II X4 810 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.

Phenom II X4 810

The Phenom II X4 810 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 9 February 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Deneb (2009−2011) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: AM3. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,036 points. Launch price was $116.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-840QM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Phenom II X4 810's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-840QM versus 2.6 GHz on the Phenom II X4 810 — a 20.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-840QM (base: 1.86 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-840QM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Phenom II X4 810 uses Deneb (2009−2011) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-840QM scores 2,025 against the Phenom II X4 810's 2,036 — a 0.5% lead for the Phenom II X4 810. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-840QM vs 4 MB (total) on the Phenom II X4 810.

Feature	Core i7-840QM	Phenom II X4 810
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz+23%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	1.86 GHz	2.6 GHz+40%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	45 nm	45 nm
Architecture	Clarksfield (2009−2010)	Deneb (2009−2011)
PassMark	2,025	2,036
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 Phenom II X4 810 uses AM3 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.