Intel Core i7-12700E vs Intel Core i9-10940X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-12700E, winning all eight head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i9-10940X. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the 8-0 win count suggests.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-12700E scores 2406 against the i9-10940X's 2370, a 1.5% advantage. The single-core result in the same test is nearly identical in percentage terms: 339 versus 334, again a 1.5% edge. These are tight margins, indicating that in older rendering workloads the two processors are essentially peers.

Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern. The i7-12700E posts 10029 multicore points versus 9878 for the i9-10940X, holding onto that consistent 1.5% lead. Single-core performance in R20 shows 1415 against 1394, also 1.5% ahead. The consistency of this delta across multiple Cinebench versions suggests the architectural advantages of the newer chip are real but modest in these particular workloads.

Cinebench R23 multicore continues the trend: 23879 for the i7-12700E, 23520 for the i9-10940X, a 1.5% difference. Single-core R23 shows 3371 versus 3320, again 1.5%. The i7-12700E's wins here are narrow, but they are wins across every iteration of the Cinebench suite.

The Geekbench results break the pattern. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-12700E scores 10676 against 10464, a 2% advantage. But in Geekbench single-core, the delta explodes to 34.6%: 2094 versus 1556. This is the largest margin in the entire comparison and indicates a fundamental difference in how the two processors handle single-threaded integer and floating-point workloads.

The average benchmark score for the i7-12700E sits at 6776, while the i9-10940X averages 6605. The i7-12700E ranks at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs, and the i9-10940X also sits at the 62nd percentile. Despite the identical percentile ranking, the i7-12700E's nearest rivals cluster around the 6710 to 6803 range, while the i9-10940X's nearest rivals sit between 6586 and 6638.

The data indicates that the i7-12700E is the faster processor in every recorded test, with its most dramatic advantage appearing in Geekbench single-core performance. The i9-10940X's older architecture and lower per-core efficiency are the likely contributors to this outcome.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700E wins all eight recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i9-10940X, covering Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Geekbench in both multicore and single-core tests.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap in Geekbench?

A: The i7-12700E scores 2094 in Geekbench single-core, while the i9-10940X scores 1556. This represents a 34.6% advantage for the i7-12700E, the largest delta in any recorded test.

Q: Are the Cinebench multicore results close between the two chips?

A: Yes, they are very close. The i7-12700E leads by 1.5% in all three Cinebench multicore tests: 2406 versus 2370 in R15, 10029 versus 9878 in R20, and 23879 versus 23520 in R23.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The i7-12700E has an average benchmark score of 6776, and the i9-10940X has an average benchmark score of 6605. Both processors rank at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs.

Q: Does the i9-10940X win any of the recorded comparisons?

A: No. The recorded data shows zero wins for the Intel Core i9-10940X across all eight head-to-head benchmark tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and use fundamentally different designs. The i7-12700E is built on Alder Lake architecture with the Alder Lake-S codename, while the i9-10940X uses Cascade Lake with the Cascade Lake-X codename.

The manufacturing process differs significantly. The i7-12700E uses a 10 nm process node, while the i9-10940X uses a 14 nm process. This process advantage is reflected in the power envelope: the i7-12700E has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i9-10940X draws 165 watts. The newer node allows the i7-12700E to deliver comparable or better performance at a fraction of the power draw.

Core and thread counts favor the older chip on paper. The i9-10940X has 14 cores and 28 threads, while the i7-12700E has 12 cores and 20 threads. Despite having fewer cores and threads, the i7-12700E still wins every benchmark, which indicates that per-core efficiency and architectural improvements more than compensate for the two-core deficit.

Cache configurations differ as well. The i7-12700E has 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1.25 MB of L2 cache per core, with 25 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-10940X has 64 KB of L1 per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with 19.25 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-12700E carries more cache at every level.

Memory support also diverges. The i7-12700E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel memory bus. The i9-10940X supports only DDR4, though it uses a quad-channel memory bus. The i7-12700E also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while the i9-10940X is limited to PCIe Gen 3.

The i7-12700E includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770, while the i9-10940X has no integrated graphics at all. The i7-12700E uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the i9-10940X uses Intel Socket 2066. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

The i9-10940X has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-12700E does not. The i7-12700E has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The i9-10940X has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and the same 4.80 GHz boost clock. The i9-10940X's higher base clock does not translate into better benchmark performance.

The i7-12700E has a die size of 215 mm², while no die size is recorded for the i9-10940X. Both processors are listed as active in production status, and both come from Intel.

The Verdict

The benchmark data makes the choice straightforward for most users. The Intel Core i7-12700E outperforms the Intel Core i9-10940X in every recorded test, despite having fewer cores and threads. The i7-12700E wins all eight head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 1.5% to 34.6%.

The i7-12700E is the clear pick for single-threaded performance. Its 34.6% advantage in Geekbench single-core over the i9-10940X is decisive, and its 1.5% leads across all Cinebench single-core tests reinforce this conclusion. Users running applications that depend heavily on single-thread performance should choose the i7-12700E without hesitation.

For multicore workloads, the choice is also the i7-12700E, but the margin is much thinner. The 1.5% leads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests are real but modest. The 2% advantage in Geekbench multicore is similarly small. Users upgrading from the i9-10940X to the i7-12700E for multicore rendering should expect only incremental gains.

The power efficiency story heavily favors the i7-12700E. With a 65 watt TDP versus the i9-10940X's 165 watts, the i7-12700E delivers equal or better performance while drawing far less power. This makes it the more sensible choice for systems where thermal management and power consumption matter.

The i9-10940X retains some advantages in raw specifications. It has 14 cores and 28 threads, an unlocked multiplier, and a quad-channel DDR4 memory bus. Users who specifically need the extra cores or the unlocked multiplier for overclocking might still consider it. However, the recorded benchmark data shows that these specification advantages do not translate into performance wins.

The i7-12700E also includes integrated graphics, which the i9-10940X lacks, and supports newer PCIe Gen 5 and DDR5 technology. For a new build, the i7-12700E offers a more modern platform. The i9-10940X's Socket 2066 platform is older and offers no performance benefit in the recorded data.

Both processors sit at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs, and both have active production status. The i7-12700E has a launch MSRP of $344, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the i9-10940X.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields:

Cores: The i7-12700E has 12 cores, while the i9-10940X has 14 cores.

Threads: The i7-12700E has 20 threads, while the i9-10940X has 28 threads.

Base clock: The i7-12700E runs at 2.10 GHz, while the i9-10940X runs at 3.30 GHz.

TDP: The i7-12700E has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i9-10940X has a TDP of 165 watts.

Socket: The i7-12700E uses Intel Socket 1700, while the i9-10940X uses Intel Socket 2066.

Architecture: The i7-12700E uses Alder Lake, while the i9-10940X uses Cascade Lake.

Process node: The i7-12700E uses a 10 nm process, while the i9-10940X uses a 14 nm process.

L1 cache: The i7-12700E has 80 KB per core, while the i9-10940X has 64 KB per core.

L2 cache: The i7-12700E has 1.25 MB per core, while the i9-10940X has 1 MB per core.

L3 cache: The i7-12700E has 25 MB shared, while the i9-10940X has 19.25 MB shared.

Memory support: The i7-12700E supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the i9-10940X supports only DDR4.

Memory bus: The i7-12700E uses dual-channel memory, while the i9-10940X uses quad-channel memory.

PCIe: The i7-12700E supports Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while the i9-10940X supports Gen 3.

Integrated graphics: The i7-12700E includes UHD Graphics 770, while the i9-10940X has none.

Multiplier: The i7-12700E is locked, while the i9-10940X is unlocked.

Die size: The i7-12700E measures 215 mm², while no die size is recorded for the i9-10940X.

Release date: No release date is recorded for the i7-12700E, while the i9-10940X was released on 2019-10-18.

Both processors share the same boost clock of 4.80 GHz, neither supports ECC memory, and both are listed as active in production.