CPU
GPU
Xeon E3-1515M v5
Core i7-3840QM
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 Xeon E3-1515M v5 is positioned at rank 488 and the Core i7-3840QM is on rank 238, so the Core i7-3840QM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1515M v5
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3840QM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E3-1515M v5 | Core i7-3840QM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Skylake-H (2015−2016) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E3-1515M v5 | Core i7-3840QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
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 Xeon E3-1515M v5 and Core i7-3840QM
Xeon E3-1515M v5
The Xeon E3-1515M v5 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,925 points. Launch price was $489.
Core i7-3840QM
The Core i7-3840QM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 5,871 points. Launch price was $568.
Processing Power
Both the Xeon E3-1515M v5 and Core i7-3840QM share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3840QM — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3840QM (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses the Skylake-H (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-3840QM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon E3-1515M v5 scores 5,925 against the Core i7-3840QM's 5,871 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E3-1515M v5. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,017 vs 676, a 40.3% lead for the Xeon E3-1515M v5 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1515M v5 | Core i7-3840QM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.7 GHz | 3.8 GHz+3% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 2.8 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 8 MB (total) | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Skylake-H (2015−2016) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 5,925 | 5,871 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,017+50% | 676 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon E3-1515M v5 uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3840QM uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E3-1515M v5 versus DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3840QM — the Xeon E3-1515M v5 supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E3-1515M v5 supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Xeon E3-1515M v5) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3840QM).
| Feature | Xeon E3-1515M v5 | Core i7-3840QM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1440 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2133+33% | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+100% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — Iris Pro Graphics P580 (Xeon E3-1515M v5) and HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3840QM) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1515M v5 targets Productivity, Core i7-3840QM targets Mobile Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon E3-1515M v5 rivals Core i7-6700HQ; Core i7-3840QM rivals A10-5750M.
| Feature | Xeon E3-1515M v5 | Core i7-3840QM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | Iris Pro Graphics P580 | HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Productivity | Mobile Workstation |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
You May Also Compare
Similar CPU comparisons based on Xeon E3-1515M v5 and Core i7-3840QM
