Core i7-940XM vs Core i5-4278U

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1916	2120
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Market segment	Laptop	Laptop
Series	Intel Core i5	Intel Core i7
Architecture codename	Haswell (2013−2015)	Clarksfield (2009−2010)
Release date	21 July 2014 (9 years ago)	20 June 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$315	$1,096
Current price	$776 (2.5x MSRP)	$200 (0.2x MSRP)

Detailed specifications

Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	2 (Dual-core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	4	8
Base clock speed	2.6 GHz	2.13 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.1 GHz	3.33 GHz
Bus support	no data	2500 MHz
L1 cache	128 KB	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	512 KB	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	3 MB	8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	22 nm	45 nm
Die size	181 mm2	296 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	100 °C
Number of transistors	1300 Million	774 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCPGA988,PGA988
Power consumption (TDP)	28 Watt	55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2	Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI	+	-
AVX	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	+
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
TSX	-	no data
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Demand Based Switching	no data	-
PAE	no data	36 Bit
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	+
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	no data
Identity Protection	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	no data
VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
Maximum memory size	16 GB	8 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	21 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel Iris Graphics 5100	None
Max video memory	2 GB	no data
Quick Sync Video	+	no data
Clear Video HD	+	no data
Graphics max frequency	1.1 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	3	no data
eDP	+	no data
DisplayPort	+	no data
HDMI	+	no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	3280x2000@60Hz	no data
Max resolution over DisplayPort	3200x2000@60Hz	no data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	11.2/12	no data
OpenGL	4.3	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM.

PCIe version	2	2
PCI Express lanes	12	16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Core i5-4278U outperforms Core i7-940XM by 30% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	1.83	1.41
Recency	21 July 2014	20 June 2010
Physical cores	2	4
Threads	4	8
Cost	$315	$1096
Chip lithography	22 nm	45 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	28 Watt	55 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-4278U and Core i7-940XM, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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