AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX vs AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is newer, the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX or the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D was released on 2025-01-05, while the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX followed on 2025-04-22. Both are currently listed as Active in production.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Ryzen 9 8940HX and the Ryzen 9 9950X3D feature 16 cores and 32 threads. The key differences lie in architecture, clock speeds, cache, and power envelope.

Q: Which processor has the larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D has a significantly larger L3 cache at 128 MB, double the 64 MB found on the AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX. This is a defining feature of the X3D model.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The Ryzen 9 9950X3D leads in single-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 2259 versus 1917 for the 8940HX, a 15.1% advantage. PassMark single-thread results show a similar gap: 4737 versus 3874, an 18.2% difference.

Q: Are both processors based on the same core architecture?

A: No. The Ryzen 9 8940HX uses the Zen 4 architecture (Dragon Range), while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is built on the newer Zen 5 architecture (Granite Ridge). This architectural difference contributes to the performance gap.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The Ryzen 9 8940HX is a mobile processor, while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D is a desktop processor. This explains the large difference in TDP: 55 watts for the mobile part versus 170 watts for the desktop part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct generations and design philosophies from AMD. The Ryzen 9 8940HX is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the codename Dragon Range, while the Ryzen 9 9950X3D uses the newer Zen 5 architecture with the codename Granite Ridge. This generational leap is reflected in the manufacturing process: the 8940HX uses TSMC's 5 nm node, while the 9950X3D uses the more advanced 4 nm node.

The transistor counts differ substantially, with the 9950X3D containing 16,630 million transistors compared to 13,140 million for the 8940HX. Die sizes are similar, at 2x 70.6 mm² for the 9950X3D and 2x 71 mm² for the 8940HX, indicating that the newer part packs more transistors into a comparable area.

Cache hierarchies show major differences. The 8940HX has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 64 MB of L3 cache. The 9950X3D doubles the L1 to 80 KB per core and maintains 1 MB of L2 per core, but its L3 cache is massively expanded to 128 MB. This large L3 pool is the signature feature of the X3D lineup, designed to reduce memory latency in cache-sensitive workloads.

Both processors support DDR5 memory with dual-channel buses, but the 9950X3D offers higher memory bandwidth at 89.6 GB/s versus 83.2 GB/s for the 8940HX. The 9950X3D also supports ECC memory, while the 8940HX does not. PCIe capabilities differ as well: the 8940HX provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the 9950X3D provides Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics are present on both, but the 8940HX features a Radeon 610M, while the 9950X3D simply lists Radeon Graphics. The sockets are different by design: the mobile 8940HX uses AMD Socket FL1, and the desktop 9950X3D uses AMD Socket AM5.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D wins every single head-to-head comparison, taking all 15 recorded tests. The Ryzen 9 8940HX does not secure a single victory in the database. This is not a close contest; the 9950X3D is the superior processor across the board.

The 8940HX's role is defined by its mobile market segment. Its 55 watt TDP makes it suitable for laptops where power efficiency and thermals are critical constraints. The 9950X3D, with its 170 watt TDP, is designed for desktop systems where power delivery and cooling can be more robust.

In specific workloads, the 9950X3D shows particularly large margins. PassMark physics testing shows a 62.9% advantage for the 9950X3D, and PassMark find prime numbers shows a 59.1% lead. These are compute-heavy tasks that benefit from the newer architecture and higher clock speeds. The 9950X3D also excels in data compression, scoring 28.3% higher, and floating-point math, with a 28.7% advantage.

The 8940HX remains a capable mobile processor, but the data indicates it trails the 9950X3D in every measured category. Users seeking maximum performance should look to the 9950X3D, while those needing a high-core-count mobile solution would consider the 8940HX despite its lower benchmark scores.

Specification Differences

The two processors share a core count of 16 cores and 32 threads, but nearly every other specification differs.

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX | AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D |

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

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.30 GHz | 5.70 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 170 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 5 |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 4 nm |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | 16,630 million |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB | 128 MB |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 89.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes | Gen 5, 24 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | Radeon Graphics |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2025-04-22 | 2025-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | None | $699 |

The 9950X3D has higher base and boost clocks, a much larger power envelope, more cache, a newer process node, and more transistors. The 8940HX offers more PCIe lanes and a lower TDP, reflecting its mobile design goals.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D. Across 15 benchmark tests, the 9950X3D wins every time, with margins ranging from 11.7% to 62.9%.

The largest single margin comes in PassMark physics, where the 9950X3D scores 5670 against the 8940HX's 2104, a 62.9% advantage. This test heavily favors the newer Zen 5 architecture and higher clock speeds. PassMark find prime numbers shows the second-largest gap: 613 versus 251, a 59.1% difference. These results indicate that the 9950X3D is dramatically faster in compute-intensive integer workloads.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 9950X3D scores 42018 versus 32521 for the 8940HX, a 22.6% lead. The single-core R23 test shows a 15.1% gap, with scores of 2259 and 1917 respectively. Cinebench R15 results follow the same pattern: multi-core at 6536 versus 5355 (18.1% difference) and single-core at 350 versus 292 (16.6% difference).

PassMark extended instructions show a 34.5% gap, with the 9950X3D scoring 73011 against 47802. Floating-point math also favors the 9950X3D significantly: 159724 versus 113921, a 28.7% difference. Integer math is closer but still decisive: 243209 versus 189221, a 22.2% lead.

Data compression and encryption tests show the 9950X3D ahead by 28.3% and 11.7% respectively. The compression score is 908421 versus 650984, while encryption is 44536 versus 39318. Random string sorting sees a 21% gap: 95423 versus 75381.

The PassMark multi-thread score for the 9950X3D is 70255, which is 29.2% higher than the 8940HX's 49731. Single-thread scores show an 18.2% gap: 4737 versus 3874. The 3DMark tests, available only for the 9950X3D, show scores of 17184 for max threads, 16374 for 16 threads, 9259 for 8 threads, 4963 for 4 threads, 2549 for 2 threads, and 1292 for single thread.

The average benchmark scores place the 8940HX at 81103 and the 9950X3D at 75779, which is counterintuitive given the head-to-head results. This discrepancy arises because the 8940HX's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon w5-3535X at 81115 and the Intel Core i9-14900KS at 81127, while the 9950X3D's rivals are lower-scoring parts like the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 9755 at 75738. Both processors sit at the 95th percentile among all CPUs, indicating top-tier placement, but the head-to-head benchmarks show the 9950X3D is clearly the stronger chip in direct comparison.