Core i7-940XM vs Pentium 1403 v2

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 i7-940XM vs Pentium 1403 v2 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 i7-940XM vs Pentium 1403 v2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-940XM

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 27 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 55W instead of 80W, a 25W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,269 vs 2,284).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 2.1 vs 15.2 PassMark/$ ($1,096 MSRP vs $150 MSRP).

Pentium 1403 v2

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $946 less on MSRP ($150 MSRP vs $1,096 MSRP).
✅Delivers 635.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 15.2 vs 2.1 PassMark/$ ($150 MSRP vs $1,096 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-940XM across 27 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌45.5% higher power demand at 80W vs 55W.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium 1403 v2 better than Core i7-940XM?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-940XM is ahead with a 6.0% average FPS lead across 27 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 1403 v2 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-940XM also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Pentium 1403 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

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

Pentium 1403 v2 is the better buy right now. Pentium 1403 v2 comes in $946 cheaper on MSRP at $150 MSRP versus $1,096 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-940XM is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.0% average FPS lead across 27 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 635.5% better value on MSRP (15.2 vs 2.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium 1403 v2 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 / 2 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-940XM vs Pentium 1403 v2 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-940XM

The Core i7-940XM 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 2.13 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333. Passmark benchmark score: 2,269 points. Launch price was $1,096.

Pentium 1403 v2

The Pentium 1403 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 2.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR3-800, DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 2,284 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-940XM packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium 1403 v2 offers 2 cores / 2 threads — the Core i7-940XM has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-940XM versus 2.6 GHz on the Pentium 1403 v2 — a 24.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-940XM (base: 2.13 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-940XM uses the Clarksfield (2009−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium 1403 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-940XM scores 2,269 against the Pentium 1403 v2's 2,284 — a 0.7% lead for the Pentium 1403 v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-940XM vs 6 MB (total) on the Pentium 1403 v2.

Feature	Core i7-940XM	Pentium 1403 v2
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 2
Boost Clock	3.33 GHz+28%	2.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.13 GHz	2.6 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Clarksfield (2009−2010)	Ivy Bridge-EN (2013−2014)
PassMark	2,269	2,284

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-940XM uses the PGA988 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium 1403 v2 uses LGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-940XM	Pentium 1403 v2
Socket	PGA988	LGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	8	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-940XM) / not specified (Pentium 1403 v2). Direct competitor: Core i7-940XM rivals Core i7-2720QM.

Feature	Core i7-940XM	Pentium 1403 v2
Integrated GPU	No	—
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	true	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-940XM was priced at $1096, while the Pentium 1403 v2 came in at $150. On launch pricing ($1096 vs $150), Pentium 1403 v2 was $946 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-940XM delivers 2.1 pts/$ vs 15.2 pts/$ for the Pentium 1403 v2 — making the Pentium 1403 v2 the 152.1% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-940XM	Pentium 1403 v2
MSRP	$1096	$150-86%
Performance per Dollar	2.1	15.2+624%
Release Date	2010	2014

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