
Core i7-940 vs Xeon W3530

Core i7-940

Xeon W3530
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 i7-940 is positioned at rank 1071 and the Xeon W3530 is on rank 859, so the Xeon W3530 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-940
Performance Per Dollar Xeon W3530
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-940 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Bloomfield (2008−2010) / 45 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-940 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ✅ Better overall value (+809%) |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($90) | ✅ More affordable ($10) |
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 i7-940 and Xeon W3530

Core i7-940
The Core i7-940 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Novembro 2008 (17 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.93 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: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,029 points. Launch price was $299.

Xeon W3530
The Xeon W3530 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 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: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,059 points. Launch price was $999.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-940 and Xeon W3530 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-940 versus 3.06 GHz on the Xeon W3530 — a 4.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-940 (base: 2.93 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). Both are built on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture using a 45 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-940 scores 3,029 against the Xeon W3530's 3,059 — a 1% lead for the Xeon W3530. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-940 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz+5% | 3.06 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz+5% | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 45 nm | 45 nm |
| Architecture | Bloomfield (2008−2010) | Bloomfield (2008−2010) |
| PassMark | 3,029 | 3,059 |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1366 socket with PCIe 2.0.
| Feature | Core i7-940 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | LGA1366 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 2.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1066 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 24 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 3 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 36 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x (Core i7-940) / not specified (Xeon W3530). Primary use case: Core i7-940 targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i7-940 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x | — |
| Target Use | Desktop | — |
Value Analysis
The Core i7-940 launched at $562 MSRP, while the Xeon W3530 debuted at $294. At current prices ($90 vs $10), the Xeon W3530 is $80 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-940 delivers 33.7 pts/$ vs 305.9 pts/$ for the Xeon W3530 — making the Xeon W3530 the 160.4% better value option.
| Feature | Core i7-940 | Xeon W3530 |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $562 | $294-48% |
| Avg Price (30d) | $90 | $10-89% |
| Performance per Dollar | 33.7 | 305.9+808% |
| Release Date | 2008 | 2010 |
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