Xeon E3-1220 v6 vs Core i7-3820QM

Xeon E3-1220 v6

4 Cores4 Thrd72 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2017

Core i7-3820QM

4 Cores8 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Xeon E3-1220 v6

4 / 4

5,589

0.0%

5,607

+0.3%

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 Xeon E3-1220 v6 is positioned at rank 718 and the Core i7-3820QM is on rank 1075, so the Xeon E3-1220 v6 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1220 v6

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

13836%

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

2612%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

2321%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

1793%

#419

Xeon 6736P

MSRP: $3351|Avg: $3351

99%

#420

EPYC 9655P

MSRP: $10811|Avg: $7958

99%

#421

EPYC 9554P

MSRP: $7104|Avg: $3052

98%

#423

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5995WX

MSRP: $6499|Avg: $3444

97%

#424

Xeon W-2155

MSRP: $1440|Avg: $150

96%

#425

Xeon 6740E

MSRP: $5265|Avg: $3949

96%

#718

Xeon E3-1220 v6

MSRP: $372|Avg: $80

100%

#719

Xeon E5-2623 v3

MSRP: $444|Avg: $50

100%

#722

Xeon E5-2620

MSRP: $360|Avg: $89

99%

#728

Xeon E5-2609 v3

MSRP: $306|Avg: $306

97%

#730

Xeon Bronze 3106

MSRP: $395|Avg: $395

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3820QM

#1062

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2874%

#1063

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2832%

#1064

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2599%

#1065

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2588%

#1066

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2564%

#1068

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2476%

#1069

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2374%

#1070

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2370%

#1071

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2307%

#1074

Celeron B730

MSRP: $70|Avg: $10

100%

#1075

Core i7-3820QM

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1077

A9-9425

MSRP: $150|Avg: $30

99%

#1079

Core i5-4402E

MSRP: $266|Avg: $100

99%

#1080

A6-7000

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

98%

#1082

Core i5-2520M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

98%

#1083

Core i7-2710QE

MSRP: $378|Avg: $40

97%

#1088

Core i5-3610ME

MSRP: $276|Avg: $22

94%

#1089

Core m3-7Y32

MSRP: $281|Avg: $281

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Xeon E3-1220 v6 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E3-1220 v6	Core i7-3820QM
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3820QM (2012) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E3-1220 v6	Core i7-3820QM
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($80)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Xeon E3-1220 v6 Benchmark Check

Core i7-3820QM Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1220 v6 and Core i7-3820QM

Xeon E3-1220 v6

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 March 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 72 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 5,589 points. Launch price was $193.

Core i7-3820QM

The Core i7-3820QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,607 points. Launch price was $498.

⚡

Processing Power

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3820QM's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-3820QM — a 5.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-3820QM (base: 3 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3820QM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1220 v6 scores 5,589 against the Core i7-3820QM's 5,607 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-3820QM. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Xeon E3-1220 v6 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-3820QM.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v6	Core i7-3820QM
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.7 GHz+6%
Base Clock	3 GHz+11%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB+300%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	5,589	5,607
Geekbench 6 Single	—	604

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1220 v6 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3820QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Xeon E3-1220 v6	Core i7-3820QM
Socket	LGA1151	PGA988
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	❌
PCIe Lanes	—	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E3-1220 v6) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3820QM). The Core i7-3820QM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon E3-1220 v6 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3820QM targets High Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3820QM rivals A10-4600M.