Intel Core i7-7740X vs Intel Core i9-8950HK Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7740X and Intel Core i9-8950HK are closely matched processors separated by a mere 0.3% in average benchmark score, but they achieve parity through very different designs. The data shows the i9-8950HK edges out the i7-7740X in six of eight head-to-head tests, while the i7-7740X posts decisive victories in both Geekbench workloads. The i7-7740X sits at the 50th percentile of all CPUs, while the i9-8950HK ranks at the 49th percentile. With the i7-7740X averaging 2648 points and the i9-8950HK averaging 2641 points, the practical difference is negligible, yet the underlying architecture and benchmark distribution tell a more nuanced story that should guide purchasing decisions.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear split: the Intel Core i9-8950HK is the better choice for sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads, as it wins every Cinebench test by a consistent margin of roughly 6%. The Intel Core i7-7740X is the better choice for Geekbench-style workloads, where it leads by 14.6% in multi-core and 22.8% in single-core tests. The i9-8950HK’s advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core (8777 vs 8250) and single-core (1239 vs 1164) suggests it handles both threaded and lightly-threaded rendering tasks more effectively.

However, the i7-7740X’s commanding Geekbench single-core win (1619 vs 1318) indicates superior per-thread performance in that specific benchmark suite. For users prioritizing Cinebench-class applications, the i9-8950HK is the pick. For those relying on Geekbench-class workloads, the i7-7740X wins outright. The i9-8950HK also carries the advantage of integrated UHD 630 graphics, whereas the i7-7740X has no integrated graphics, which matters for systems without a discrete GPU. The i7-7740X is a desktop part with an unlocked multiplier and a 112W TDP, while the i9-8950HK is a mobile part with an unlocked multiplier and a 95W TDP, making the latter more power-efficient on paper. Choose the i9-8950HK for rendering and portability; choose the i7-7740X for Geekbench-driven tasks and desktop flexibility.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different market segments. The i7-7740X is a 7th-generation Kaby Lake-X desktop chip built on Intel’s 14 nm process, while the i9-8950HK is an 8th-generation Coffee Lake-H mobile chip also on the 14 nm node. The core counts differ significantly: the i7-7740X has 4 cores and 8 threads, whereas the i9-8950HK has 6 cores and 12 threads. This 50% core advantage for the i9-8950HK is partially offset by clock speeds — the i7-7740X runs at a 4.30 GHz base and 4.60 GHz boost, compared to the i9-8950HK’s 2.90 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The higher boost clock on the i9-8950HK helps close the gap in single-threaded tests.

Cache configurations also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i9-8950HK has 12 MB of shared L3 cache versus 8 MB on the i7-7740X. The i7-7740X supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, while the i9-8950HK’s memory bus is not specified in the data. The i7-7740X uses the Intel Socket 2066 platform, while the i9-8950HK uses the BGA 1440 socket, reflecting its mobile design. The i9-8950HK includes Intel UHD 630 integrated graphics; the i7-7740X has no integrated graphics. The i7-7740X was released on 2017-06-25 and remains active in production, while the i9-8950HK launched on 2018-04-01 and is now end-of-life. The i9-8950HK has a die size of 149 mm²; die size for the i7-7740X is not provided. Both chips have unlocked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i9-8950HK wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins ranging from 5.6% to 6.2%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-8950HK scores 884 versus 831 for the i7-7740X, a 6% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 124 vs 117, a 5.6% win for the i9-8950HK. Cinebench R20 multi-core results are 3686 vs 3465 (6% delta), and R20 single-core is 520 vs 488 (6.2% delta). The largest absolute gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core: 8777 vs 8250, a 6% difference. R23 single-core sees 1239 vs 1164, a 6.1% edge for the i9-8950HK.

The i7-7740X counters with two decisive Geekbench victories. In Geekbench multi-core, the i7-7740X scores 5246 against 4577 for the i9-8950HK, a 14.6% lead. The Geekbench single-core gap is even more pronounced: 1619 vs 1318, a 22.8% advantage for the i7-7740X. These Geekbench results are striking because they invert the Cinebench trend — the i9-8950HK’s extra two cores do not translate into Geekbench multi-core superiority, and its higher boost clock (4.70 GHz vs 4.60 GHz) does not help in Geekbench single-core either. The i7-7740X’s average benchmark score of 2648 edges out the i9-8950HK’s 2641, but the i9-8950HK wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, indicating that the i7-7740X’s overall average is buoyed by its outsized Geekbench performance.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-8950HK has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-7740X has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i9-8950HK wins, scoring 8777 versus 8250 for the Intel Core i7-7740X, a 6% difference.

Q: What is the Geekbench single-core score difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-7740X scores 1619 in Geekbench single-core, which is 22.8% higher than the Intel Core i9-8950HK’s 1318.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-8950HK have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i9-8950HK includes UHD 630 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i7-7740X has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-7740X has a TDP of 112W, while the Intel Core i9-8950HK has a TDP of 95W.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-8950HK has a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, slightly higher than the Intel Core i7-7740X’s 4.60 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-8950HK dominates in rendering-centric benchmarks. Across all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23), it wins both multi-core and single-core tests, with deltas between 5.6% and 6.2%. This consistency suggests the i9-8950HK’s combination of 6 cores, 12 threads, and 12 MB of L3 cache provides a tangible advantage in Cinebench’s workload profile. The i9-8950HK also wins on platform flexibility for mobile systems, thanks to its integrated UHD 630 graphics and lower 95W TDP. It is the clear choice for users running Cinebench-class rendering tasks or needing a chip that can operate in a laptop form factor.

The i7-7740X wins decisively in Geekbench, with a 14.6% multi-core lead and a 22.8% single-core lead over the i9-8950HK. This indicates that the i7-7740X’s higher base clock (4.30 GHz vs 2.90 GHz) and quad-channel DDR4 memory support yield superior performance in Geekbench’s test suite. The i7-7740X also has a slight edge in average benchmark score (2648 vs 2641) and sits at a higher percentile (50th vs 49th). For desktop users whose primary applications mirror Geekbench’s workload, the i7-7740X is the stronger performer. Its unlocked multiplier and active production status also make it a more future-proof desktop option, though the i9-8950HK’s end-of-life status does not diminish its current benchmark results.

The split is clean: rendering workloads favor the i9-8950HK; Geekbench-style workloads favor the i7-7740X. The i7-7740X’s wins are larger in magnitude (14.6% and 22.8%) than the i9-8950HK’s (which top out at 6.2%), but the i9-8950HK wins more tests overall. Users should weigh which benchmark suite better represents their actual usage. The i9-8950HK’s consistent Cinebench dominance across three versions makes it the safer choice for general productivity, while the i7-7740X’s Geekbench strength is more specialized.