Intel Core i3-1115G4 vs Intel Core i9-9940X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison is decisively lopsided. The Intel Core i9-9940X wins all eight recorded head-to-head tests, with the largest margins appearing in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i9-9940X scores 23810 against the i3-1115G4's 4933, a 79.3% gap. The same 79.3% delta appears across all three Cinebench generations, both single-core and multi-core: R15 multi-core (2400 vs 497), R15 single-core (338 vs 70), R20 multi-core (10000 vs 2071), R20 single-core (1411 vs 292), and R23 single-core (3361 vs 696). This uniformity suggests the performance ratio is consistent regardless of workload type, indicating a fundamental throughput advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Geekbench results tell a slightly different story. The multi-core test shows a 76.4% delta (10466 vs 2465), while the single-core test narrows dramatically to 9.4% (1468 vs 1330). The i9-9940X still wins, but the single-core margin is modest. This indicates the i3-1115G4's Willow Cove cores are competitive on a per-thread basis with the older Skylake architecture, at least within this benchmark's parameters. The i9-9940X's 4.50 GHz boost clock versus the i3's 4.10 GHz helps, but the gap is far smaller than the multi-core chasm.

The average benchmark score for the i3-1115G4 is 6851, while the i9-9940X averages 6657. This counterintuitive result stems from the i3 having a broader benchmark set, including PassMark tests where it records high scores like 62444 in data compression and 10791 in floating point math. The i9-9940X lacks these PassMark entries in the database, so its average is calculated from fewer, albeit higher-scoring, Cinebench and Geekbench tests. Percentile rankings reinforce this: the i3 sits at the 63rd percentile of all CPUs, the i9 at the 62nd. Despite the i9's overwhelming head-to-head victories, both chips occupy nearly identical positions in the overall performance distribution.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Core i9-9940X records 1468 versus the i3-1115G4's 1330, a 9.4% advantage. This is the closest head-to-head margin between the two chips.

Q: How large is the multi-core performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The i9-9940X scores 23810, while the i3-1115G4 scores 4933. The delta is 79.3%, meaning the i9 outperforms by nearly five times in this specific test.

Q: What is the i3-1115G4's percentile ranking compared to the i9-9940X?

A: The i3-1115G4 ranks at the 63rd percentile of all CPUs, while the i9-9940X ranks at the 62nd. Despite the i9's consistent wins in direct comparisons, their overall standings are nearly identical.

Q: Does the i9-9940X win every benchmark in the head-to-head set?

A: Yes. The i9-9940X wins all eight recorded tests, with deltas ranging from 9.4% in Geekbench single-core to 79.3% across all Cinebench tests and Geekbench multi-core.

Q: How does the i3-1115G4 compare to its nearest rivals in average score?

A: The i3-1115G4's average of 6851 is nearly tied with the AMD Athlon X4 970 (6850) and AMD Athlon Silver 10 (6849), while being 0.6% behind the Intel Xeon W-2195 (6892) and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Xeon Gold 6154 (6803).

Q: What is the i9-9940X's performance relationship to its nearest rivals?

A: The i9-9940X averages 6657, which is 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X (6647), 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i5-13400E (6638), 0.6% behind the AMD EPYC 72F3 (6700), and 0.7% ahead of the Intel Core i9-12900E (6611).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and manufacturing processes. The i3-1115G4 uses the Tiger Lake architecture on a 10 nm process with a die size of 144 mm², while the i9-9940X uses the older Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process with a much larger die at 484 mm². This size difference reflects the core count disparity: the i3 has 2 cores and 4 threads, the i9 has 14 cores and 28 threads.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. The i3-1115G4 allocates 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The i9-9940X uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3. While the i9 has a larger total L3 pool, the per-core L1 and L2 allocations on the i3 are actually larger, suggesting a design focus on per-core efficiency in the newer Tiger Lake generation.

Memory support also differs. The i3-1115G4 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4X memory in a dual-channel configuration, while the i9-9940X supports only DDR4 but in a quad-channel configuration with a recorded memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The i9's quad-channel setup provides substantially higher theoretical memory throughput, which matters for multi-threaded workloads. Neither chip supports ECC memory.

PCIe capabilities present a clear trade-off. The i3-1115G4 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 4 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-9940X offers PCIe Gen 3 with 44 lanes (CPU only). The newer standard on the i3 provides higher per-lane bandwidth, but the i9's massive lane count supports far more expansion devices. The i3 includes integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4, while the i9 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

The i9-9940X has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i3-1115G4 does not. This makes the i9 more flexible for overclocking scenarios, though the i3's lower 15 W TDP versus the i9's 165 W TDP indicates a very different thermal envelope. The production status also differs: the i3 is listed as Active, while the i9 is End-of-life.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload requirements. For multi-threaded, heavily parallel tasks such as rendering, video encoding, or scientific computing, the Intel Core i9-9940X is the definitive choice. Its 14 cores and 28 threads deliver 79.3% higher scores across all Cinebench variants, and the 76.4% Geekbench multi-core advantage confirms this pattern. Anyone working with software that scales beyond two cores will see substantial gains with the i9.

For single-threaded tasks, the decision is less obvious. The i9-9940X still wins in Geekbench single-core by 9.4%, and by the same 79.3% margin in Cinebench single-core tests. However, the Geekbench result suggests that the i3-1115G4's modern architecture closes much of the per-thread gap. In scenarios where power consumption matters, such as battery-operated laptops, the i3's 15 W TDP versus the i9's 165 W TDP is decisive. The i3 is a mobile processor with integrated graphics, while the i9 is a desktop part with no GPU.

The percentile rankings complicate a simple performance verdict. Both chips sit within one percentile of each other (63rd for the i3, 62nd for the i9), despite the i9's dominance in direct comparisons. This indicates the i3's PassMark scores, which are absent for the i9, boost its overall standing. The i3's average benchmark score of 6851 actually exceeds the i9's 6657, though this reflects benchmark selection rather than true performance equivalence.

Users requiring compact, low-power systems with integrated graphics should choose the i3-1115G4. Users needing maximum multi-threaded throughput, extensive PCIe connectivity, and unlocked overclocking should choose the i9-9940X, provided they can accommodate its power and cooling requirements.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i3-1115G4 | Intel Core i9-9940X |

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

| Cores | 2 | 14 |

| Threads | 4 | 28 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 165 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1449 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Tiger Lake | Skylake |

| Codename | Tiger Lake-U | Skylake-X |

| Generation | Core i3 (Willow Cove-U) | Core i9 (X-Series 9th Gen) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 144 mm² | 484 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 19.25 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, LPDDR4X | DDR4 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 85.3 GB/s |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

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

| Release Date | 2020-09-01 | 2018-10-18 |

| Launch MSRP | $281 | $1387 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SRK08 | SREZ5 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-9940X wins every recorded benchmark comparison, but the magnitude of its victories varies by workload type. In Cinebench tests, which stress sustained multi-threaded rendering and single-thread performance equally, the i9 holds a consistent 79.3% advantage. This includes single-core tests, where the i9's higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.10 GHz contributes to its edge. The i9 also wins Geekbench multi-core by 76.4%, reflecting its 14-core, 28-thread configuration against the i3's 2 cores and 4 threads.

The i3-1115G4's closest performance to the i9 appears in Geekbench single-core, where the delta narrows to 9.4%. This suggests the Tiger Lake architecture's IPC improvements partially offset the i9's clock and core advantages in lightly threaded scenarios. The i3 also has advantages unrelated to raw benchmark scores: a 15 W TDP enables fanless or passively cooled designs in thin laptops, its integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G4 removes the need for a discrete GPU, and its PCIe Gen 4 support provides newer connectivity standards. The i3's active production status and lower launch MSRP of $281 versus $1387 also indicate a different market position.

In practical terms, the i9-9940X excels at CPU-bound tasks that leverage many cores, such as compiling large codebases, processing 3D scenes, or running virtual machines. Its quad-channel memory and 44 PCIe lanes support high-end workstation configurations. The i3-1115G4 suits everyday mobile computing, light productivity, and workloads that favor power efficiency over raw throughput. Its PassMark scores, which include 62444 in data compression and 10791 in floating point math, show respectable performance for its class, though these tests lack direct i9 comparisons. The i3's 2585 PassMark single-thread score provides a reference point, but without equivalent i9 data, the two chips cannot be directly assessed on these metrics.

Users should weigh the i9's decisive multi-threaded wins against the i3's power efficiency and modern platform features. The data shows no scenario where the i3 outperforms the i9 in a direct head-to-head test, but the i3's existence in the database with a comparable percentile ranking means its overall performance profile is closer than the head-to-head deltas suggest.