Xeon E3-1246 v3 vs Core i7-7820HQ

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 E3-1246 v3 is positioned at rank 842 and the Core i7-7820HQ is on rank 901, so the Xeon E3-1246 v3 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 E3-1246 v3

#1

Xeon Platinum 8454H

MSRP: $6540|Avg: N/A

19172%

#6

Xeon Gold 6240R

MSRP: $2444|Avg: N/A

3620%

#10

Xeon 6337P

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

3216%

#15

EPYC 9174F

MSRP: $194|Avg: $30

2485%

#476

EPYC 9745

MSRP: $12141|Avg: $10588

99%

#477

EPYC 7J13

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $150

99%

#478

EPYC 7702

MSRP: $6450|Avg: $2035

99%

#479

EPYC 7763

MSRP: $7890|Avg: $1513

99%

#480

EPYC 9734

MSRP: $9600|Avg: $6598

98%

#481

Xeon Platinum 8160M

MSRP: $5000|Avg: $350

98%

#482

Xeon 6724P

MSRP: $3622|Avg: $3622

97%

#483

EPYC 9634

MSRP: $10304|Avg: $3949

97%

#842

Xeon E3-1246 v3

MSRP: $667|Avg: $215

100%

#843

Xeon W3540

MSRP: $284|Avg: $10

100%

#844

Xeon E-2124G

MSRP: $667|Avg: $462

100%

#852

Xeon E5-2407

MSRP: $250|Avg: $25

98%

#857

Xeon 5120

MSRP: $107|Avg: $15

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-7820HQ

#889

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1543%

#890

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1521%

#891

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1396%

#892

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1390%

#893

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1377%

#895

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1330%

#896

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1275%

#897

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1273%

#898

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1239%

#901

Core i7-7820HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#902

Pentium Dual Core T2410

MSRP: $100|Avg: $100

100%

#903

FX-8800P

MSRP: $150|Avg: $45

99%

#905

Core i7-8809G

MSRP: $450|Avg: $450

99%

#911

Core i7-6820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

98%

#912

Athlon II Neo K325

MSRP: $60|Avg: $25

97%

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 Core i7-7820HQ (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Xeon E3-1246 v3	Core i7-7820HQ
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($215)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Legacy / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-H (2017) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Xeon E3-1246 v3 (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Xeon E3-1246 v3	Core i7-7820HQ
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($215)	✅ 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 E3-1246 v3 Benchmark Check

Core i7-7820HQ Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Xeon E3-1246 v3 and Core i7-7820HQ

Xeon E3-1246 v3

The Xeon E3-1246 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600. Passmark benchmark score: 7,228 points. Launch price was $800.

Core i7-7820HQ

The Core i7-7820HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,184 points. Launch price was $378.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Xeon E3-1246 v3 and Core i7-7820HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Xeon E3-1246 v3 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-7820HQ — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-7820HQ is built on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1246 v3 scores 7,228 against the Core i7-7820HQ's 7,184 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon E3-1246 v3. L3 cache: 8 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the Xeon E3-1246 v3 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7820HQ.

Feature	Xeon E3-1246 v3	Core i7-7820HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+21%	2.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB Intel® Smart Cache	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	—	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	7,228	7,184

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Xeon E3-1246 v3 uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7820HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.