CPU
GPU
Xeon E5640
Core i7-2960XM
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 E5640 is positioned at rank 574 and the Core i7-2960XM is on rank 60, so the Core i7-2960XM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E5640
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-2960XM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon E5640 | Core i7-2960XM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | Equivalent pricing | Equivalent pricing |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Legacy / Standard Node) | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) / 32 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon E5640 | Core i7-2960XM |
|---|---|---|
| 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 E5640 and Core i7-2960XM
Xeon E5640
The Xeon E5640 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. Passmark benchmark score: 4,755 points. Launch price was $800.
Core i7-2960XM
The Core i7-2960XM is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 September 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) 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 32 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,709 points. Launch price was $1,096.
Processing Power
The Core i7-2960XM is built on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Xeon E5640 scores 4,755 against the Core i7-2960XM's 4,709 — a 1% lead for the Xeon E5640.
| Feature | Xeon E5640 | Core i7-2960XM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | — | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | — | 3.7 GHz |
| Base Clock | — | 2.7 GHz |
| L3 Cache | — | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | — | 256K (per core) |
| Process | — | 32 nm |
| Architecture | — | Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,755 | 4,709 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Xeon E5640) / true (Core i7-2960XM). The Core i7-2960XM includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 3000), while the Xeon E5640 requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-2960XM rivals Core i7-2820QM.
| Feature | Xeon E5640 | Core i7-2960XM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | Intel HD Graphics 3000 |
| Unlocked | — | Yes |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | true |
Top Performing CPUs
The most powerful cpus ranked by PassMark CPU Mark benchmark scores.
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