AMD Athlon Silver 10 vs Intel Core i9-9940X Comparison

The AMD Athlon Silver 10 and Intel Core i9-9940X sit at opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The Athlon Silver 10 is a low-power, dual-core mobile part built for efficiency, while the Core i9-9940X is a 14-core desktop monster designed for heavy workloads. The benchmark data in the database shows a clear split: the Athlon wins in a few specific single-threaded and data-handling tasks, while the Core i9 dominates everything that scales with core count. This analysis breaks down where each processor excels, what separates them architecturally, and which one fits which use case.

Where Each One Wins

The Athlon Silver 10 takes the win in data compression and single-thread performance. Its PassMark data compression score of 42492 is a standout result, and its single-thread score of 2089 shows it can hold its own in lightly threaded tasks. The database places it at the 63rd percentile among all CPUs, which is respectable for a 15-watt mobile chip. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon X4 970 and Intel Core i3-1115G4, both with average scores within 0.1% of the Athlon, meaning it trades blows with those parts in overall performance.

The Core i9-9940X wins in every multi-threaded and compute-heavy category. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 23810 is massive, and its Geekbench multicore score of 10466 shows strong scaling across its 14 cores. The physics score of 210 in PassMark is another indicator of its multi-core strength. The database places it at the 62nd percentile, just below the Athlon, but that percentile is based on average benchmark scores across all tests, which includes its weaker single-thread results. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X and Intel Core i5-13400E, with the Core i9 coming in 0.1% to 0.3% ahead of those parts.

The practical split is simple. The Athlon Silver 10 is for tasks that rely on quick single-thread responses and efficient data handling, like basic productivity and light web workloads. The Core i9-9940X is for rendering, compiling, scientific computing, and any workload that can use 28 threads.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from completely different design philosophies. The Athlon Silver 10 uses AMD's Zen 2 architecture on a 6 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 100 mm². It has 2 cores and 2 threads, with a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.50 GHz. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 2 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports LPDDR5 memory on a dual-channel bus with 88.0 GB/s of bandwidth. The chip is built for the AMD Socket FT6 and includes integrated Radeon 610M graphics. It is a mobile part, currently active in production, and was released in late September 2025.

The Core i9-9940X uses Intel's Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process from Intel, with a die size of 484 mm². It has 14 cores and 28 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports DDR4 memory on a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth. The chip uses Intel Socket 2066, has no integrated graphics, and is a desktop part that is now end-of-life. It was released in October 2018 and has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

The process node difference is stark: 6 nm versus 14 nm. That explains the massive TDP gap, 15 watts for the Athlon versus 165 watts for the Core i9. The Core i9 also has far more PCIe lanes, 44 versus 4, which matters for multi-GPU and high-bandwidth storage setups. The Athlon's integrated graphics are a key feature for a mobile chip, while the Core i9 requires a discrete GPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database does not include direct head-to-head benchmark results between these two processors, so the comparison relies on their individual recorded scores. The Athlon Silver 10 shows its strength in data compression with a score of 42492, a figure that dwarfs its other results and indicates a highly optimized compression engine. Its integer math score of 9354 and floating point math score of 5936 are solid for a dual-core part. The random string sorting score of 4736 and extended instructions score of 2747 round out its compute profile.

The Core i9-9940X posts numbers that reflect its core count. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 23810 is the highest recorded result in its benchmark suite, and its Cinebench R20 multicore score of 10000 confirms consistent scaling. The Geekbench multicore score of 10466 is another strong result. In single-thread tests, the Core i9 scores 3361 in Cinebench R23 and 1411 in Cinebench R20, which are competitive but not class-leading.

The biggest wins for the Core i9 come in multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 23810 is roughly seven times the Athlon's PassMark multithread score of 3543, though these are different benchmarks and not directly comparable. The Core i9's physics score of 210 in PassMark is also far above the Athlon's 210, which is a coincidence of the scoring scale. The Athlon's single-thread score of 2089 in PassMark is its best relative result, and it outperforms the Core i9's Geekbench single-core score of 1468, though again these are different tests.

The data shows the Core i9 is the clear winner in any workload that uses multiple cores. The Athlon Silver 10 is competitive only in single-threaded and data-compression tasks, where its modern architecture and high boost clock help it punch above its weight.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better single-thread performance?

A: The Athlon Silver 10 records a PassMark single-thread score of 2089, while the Core i9-9940X records a Geekbench single-core score of 1468. These are different benchmarks, but the Athlon's result is strong for its class.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Athlon Silver 10 has 2 cores and 2 threads, while the Core i9-9940X has 14 cores and 28 threads. The Core i9 has seven times the cores and fourteen times the threads.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The Athlon Silver 10 supports LPDDR5 on a dual-channel bus with 88.0 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i9-9940X supports DDR4 on a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Do either of these processors have integrated graphics?

A: The Athlon Silver 10 includes Radeon 610M integrated graphics. The Core i9-9940X has no integrated graphics and requires a discrete GPU.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Athlon Silver 10 has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Core i9-9940X has a TDP of 165 watts. The Athlon is designed for low-power mobile systems.

Q: Which processor is still in production?

A: The Athlon Silver 10 is listed as active in production, while the Core i9-9940X is end-of-life.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Athlon Silver 10 | Intel Core i9-9940X |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 14 |

| Threads | 2 | 28 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 165 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FT6 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Skylake |

| Process Node | 6 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 100 mm² | 484 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 2 MB (shared) | 19.25 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | LPDDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 88.0 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 4 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 44 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2025-09-30 | 2018-10-18 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

The Verdict

The data points to two completely different buyers. The Athlon Silver 10 is for a compact, low-power mobile system where efficiency matters more than raw compute. Its 15-watt TDP, integrated Radeon 610M graphics, and LPDDR5 support make it a sensible choice for a thin-and-light laptop or a fanless mini PC. Its strong data compression score of 42492 and single-thread score of 2089 show it can handle everyday tasks without breaking a sweat.

The Core i9-9940X is for a desktop workstation that needs serious multi-threaded muscle. Its 14 cores and 28 threads, combined with a 165-watt TDP and quad-channel DDR4 support, make it a fit for rendering, video encoding, and heavy compilation workloads. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 23810 and Geekbench multicore score of 10466 confirm its capability in these areas. Its unlocked multiplier and 44 PCIe lanes add flexibility for enthusiasts and professionals who need expansion.

The Athlon Silver 10 is the right pick for anyone who prioritizes portability and battery life. The Core i9-9940X is the right pick for anyone who needs maximum multi-core performance and does not care about power consumption. The benchmark data does not suggest any overlap in their ideal use cases.