Xeon X5660 vs Core i7-3940XM
Xeon X5660
Core i7-3940XM
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 X5660 is positioned at rank 990 and the Core i7-3940XM is on rank 936, so the Core i7-3940XM offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Xeon X5660
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3940XM
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Xeon X5660 | Core i7-3940XM |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Westmere-EP (2010−2011) / 32 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Xeon X5660 | Core i7-3940XM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($10) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
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 X5660 and Core i7-3940XM
Xeon X5660
The Xeon X5660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,979 points. Launch price was $33.
Core i7-3940XM
The Core i7-3940XM 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA988. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,957 points. Launch price was $1,096.
Processing Power
The Xeon X5660 packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-3940XM offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Xeon X5660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3940XM — a 19.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-3940XM (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Xeon X5660 uses the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-3940XM uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Xeon X5660 scores 5,979 against the Core i7-3940XM's 5,957 — a 0.4% lead for the Xeon X5660. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5660 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-3940XM.
| Feature | Xeon X5660 | Core i7-3940XM |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.2 GHz | 3.9 GHz+22% |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz | 3 GHz+7% |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total)+50% | 8 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 22 nm-31% |
| Architecture | Westmere-EP (2010−2011) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 5,979 | 5,957 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 720 |
Memory & Platform
The Xeon X5660 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-3940XM uses PGA988 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1333 memory speed. Memory channels: 3 (Xeon X5660) vs 2 (Core i7-3940XM). Chipset compatibility: Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5660) and HM75,HM76,HM77,QM77,QS77 (Core i7-3940XM).
| Feature | Xeon X5660 | Core i7-3940XM |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1366 | PGA988 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1333 | DDR3-1600 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 3+50% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ✅ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-3940XM has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i7-3940XM includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 4000), while the Xeon X5660 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation, Core i7-3940XM targets Extreme Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X; Core i7-3940XM rivals A10-5750M.
| Feature | Xeon X5660 | Core i7-3940XM |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | HD Graphics 4000 |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | Workstation | Extreme Performance Laptop |
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