CPU Comparison
Core i7-3920XM vs Core i7-940XM
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-3920XM Extreme Edition is a top-tier mobile processor launched in April 2012 based on the Ivy Bridge architecture. As an 'XM' series chip, it features an unlocked multiplier, a rarity for mobile CPUs, allowing enthusiasts to overclock it beyond its factory 2.9 GHz base clock. With 4 cores and 8 threads, it reaches up to 3.8 GHz via Turbo Boost. Built on the 22nm process, it packs 1.4 billion transistors into a 160 mm² die. Unlike standard mobile chips, it carries a 55W TDP to accommodate the increased power limits and overclocking headroom. It includes 8MB of L3 cache and integrates Intel HD 4000 graphics. This processor was the absolute pinnacle of mobile computing performance in 2012, designed for the most expensive, thick, and heavy gaming laptops and mobile workstations where cooling capacity allowed for sustained high-frequency operation and manual tuning by power users.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
High clocks keep it relevant for basic modern tasks.
Slightly faster than the 920XM but still heavily outclassed by modern CPUs.
Gaming
Excellent for 2012 games, still handles older titles well.
Handles legacy games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs and games.
Virtualization
Handles VMs well thanks to high clock speeds and VT-d.
Adequate for legacy mobile VMs but lacks modern I/O.
Efficiency
55W TDP makes it very power-hungry for a mobile chip.
Power hungry and inefficient by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- Too outdated for modern AI
- No AI hardware support
- Pure legacy x86 performance
Content Creation
Gaming
- High single-core speed for the era
- Requires discrete GPU for serious gaming
- Can be overclocked for extra FPS
- Highest clocks for Socket G1
- No integrated graphics
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
- Highest clock speeds for 2012 mobile
- Socketed design
- Excellent multi-threaded performance for its era
Cons
- Very high 55W TDP
- Requires massive laptop cooling
- Lacks modern instruction sets
- Extremely expensive at launch
Pros
- Fastest Socket G1 CPU
- Unlocked multiplier
- High turbo clock
- 8MB L3 cache
Cons
- Extremely power hungry
- No integrated graphics
- Obsolete platform
- Produces excessive heat
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i7-3920XM
- AMD A8-4500MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3840QMAlt
Locked but cooler running alternative.
Newer Haswell-based Extreme Edition.
Compare head-to-head
Core i7-940XM
- Intel Core i7-920XMRival
Mobile Extreme
- Intel Core i7-840QMRival
Mobile High-End
- AMD Phenom II X4 MobileRival
Mobile High-End
- Intel Core i7-740QMRival
Mobile Mid-Range
- Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300Rival
Legacy Mobile Extreme
- Intel Core i7-2820QMAlt
Massive leap in efficiency and performance (Sandy Bridge).
- AMD A8-3550MXAlt
More efficient, though weaker, alternative.
- Intel Core i5-2520MAlt
Dual-core but vastly superior efficiency and single-thread speed.
Our Verdict on Each
A groundbreaking mobile CPU that brought unlocked overclocking to laptops, offering unmatched performance for its time, albeit with high heat output.
Best for: Upgrading an old Socket G2 extreme laptop.
Read the full reviewThe fastest Clarksfield chip, offering a minor clock speed bump over the 920XM, but equally obsolete today.
Best for: Upgrading an existing high-end 2010 DTR laptop.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-3920XM or Core i7-940XM?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-3920XM comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Core i7-3920XM or Core i7-940XM?
For gaming, the Core i7-3920XM leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Core i7-3920XM and Core i7-940XM.
Do Core i7-3920XM and Core i7-940XM use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i7-3920XM: Intel Socket G2 (988B), Core i7-940XM: Intel Socket G1), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-3920XM posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-3920XM (9,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.