Intel Core i7-940 vs Intel Pentium G4600T Comparison

The Intel Core i7-940 and Intel Pentium G4600T sit at opposite ends of Intel’s architectural timeline, yet their benchmark scores are strikingly close. The data reveals a near-dead heat across every Cinebench test, with the older i7-940 taking all five head-to-head victories by margins under one percent. This is a fascinating case of generational efficiency versus raw core count, where the 14 nm Kaby Lake dual-core nearly matches the 45 nm Nehalem quad-core.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most telling result is in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the i7-940 scores 264 against the G4600T’s 262. That is a 0.8 percent difference — essentially a statistical tie. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore: 1102 versus 1092, a 0.9 percent edge for the i7-940. Even in single-core tests, where the newer architecture should theoretically dominate, the i7-940 wins by 0.6 percent in R20 single-core (155 vs 154) and by 0.8 percent in R23 single-core (370 vs 367). The largest gap is in R23 multicore, where the i7-940’s 2626 beats the G4600T’s 2602 by 0.9 percent.

These margins are so small that they fall within typical run-to-run variance, yet the consistency of the i7-940 winning all five tests suggests a real, if minuscule, performance advantage. The i7-940’s two extra physical cores and four extra threads (8 vs 4) should give it a decisive multicore lead, but the G4600T’s higher base clock of 3.00 GHz versus 2.93 GHz, combined with the vastly more efficient Kaby Lake architecture, nearly cancels that out. Notably, the i7-940’s boost clock of 3.20 GHz only applies to a single core, while the G4600T has no boost at all — yet the single-core scores are still within one percent.

The average benchmark score tells the same story: the i7-940 averages 903, while the G4600T averages 895, a 0.9 percent gap. Both CPUs sit at the 24th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they perform identically relative to the broader market. The nearest rivals for the i7-940 include the Intel Core i5-5350U (score 903, 0 percent delta) and the AMD A10-7860K (score 904, -0.1 percent delta). The G4600T’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-5300U (score 895, 0 percent delta) and the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U (score 893, 0.2 percent delta). These rival lists show both chips clustering with low-power mobile and entry-level desktop parts, not with high-end desktop processors.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental divide is process technology. The i7-940 uses Intel’s 45 nm node with 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die, while the G4600T uses the 14 nm node — a three-generation leap in manufacturing. This explains the massive TDP difference: 130 watts for the i7-940 versus just 35 watts for the G4600T. The i7-940 is a Bloomfield part from the Nehalem architecture, designed for the Intel Socket 1366 platform, while the G4600T is a Kaby Lake part on Intel Socket 1151.

Core configuration differs sharply. The i7-940 offers 4 cores and 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the G4600T offers 2 cores and 4 threads. Cache hierarchies are also different: both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the i7-940 has 8 MB of shared L3 versus the G4600T’s 3 MB. That larger cache likely helps the i7-940 compensate for its older architecture.

Memory support is another major split. The i7-940 uses DDR3 with a triple-channel memory bus, while the G4600T uses DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a stated bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i7-940’s memory configuration is more exotic but older, whereas the G4600T’s is more mainstream and efficient. PCIe support also differs: the i7-940 has Gen 2, while the G4600T has Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The G4600T also includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 630), while the i7-940 has none — a significant feature gap for systems without a discrete GPU.

Production status tells the rest of the story: the i7-940 is end-of-life, released in late 2008, while the G4600T is active, released in early 2017. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not officially supported on either.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-940 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests, but by razor-thin margins. It scores 264 vs 262 in R15 (0.8 percent), 1102 vs 1092 in R20 (0.9 percent), and 2626 vs 2602 in R23 (0.9 percent).

Q: Is the newer Pentium G4600T faster in single-core tests?

A: No. Despite being a much newer architecture, the Pentium G4600T loses both single-core tests. The i7-940 scores 155 vs 154 in R20 single-core (0.6 percent) and 370 vs 367 in R23 single-core (0.8 percent).

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-940 has an average benchmark score of 903, while the G4600T scores 895. That is a 0.9 percent difference in favor of the i7-940. Both chips are at the 24th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two CPUs?

A: The i7-940 has a TDP of 130 watts, while the G4600T has a TDP of 35 watts. The G4600T uses 73 percent less power by this metric, making it far more energy-efficient.

Q: Do these CPUs support the same memory?

A: No. The i7-940 supports DDR3 with a triple-channel bus, while the G4600T supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and a specified bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The G4600T also uses PCIe Gen 3, whereas the i7-940 uses Gen 2.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: Only the Pentium G4600T has integrated graphics, specifically the Intel HD 630. The i7-940 has no integrated graphics at all, requiring a separate GPU for display output.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-940 | Intel Pentium G4600T |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.93 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | None |

| TDP | 130 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1366 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Nehalem | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Bloomfield | Kaby Lake |

| Process Node | 45 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 731 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 263 mm² | Not specified |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 3 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 38.4 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 630 |

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

| Release Date | 2008-11-16 | 2017-01-02 |

| Part Number | SLBCK | SR35R |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-940 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison. Its advantages are consistent but tiny: 0.8 percent in R15 multicore, 0.9 percent in R20 multicore, 0.6 percent in R20 single-core, 0.9 percent in R23 multicore, and 0.8 percent in R23 single-core. The i7-940 also has the structural advantage of 4 cores and 8 threads, plus 8 MB of L3 cache, which positions it better for workloads that can actually use more than two cores. Its triple-channel DDR3 memory bus is another theoretical edge, though the benchmark data does not isolate memory performance.

The Intel Pentium G4600T wins where it does not appear in the benchmarks: efficiency and platform modernity. Its 35 W TDP is dramatically lower than the i7-940’s 130 W, making it suitable for compact, low-power systems. It supports DDR4 memory and PCIe Gen 3, both of which are newer standards than the i7-940’s DDR3 and PCIe Gen 2. The integrated Intel HD 630 graphics mean the G4600T can power a display without any dedicated GPU, which the i7-940 cannot do. The G4600T is also an active product, while the i7-940 is end-of-life.

In raw compute, the i7-940 is the winner by a hair. In every other measurable aspect — power draw, memory standard, PCIe generation, integrated graphics, and production status — the G4600T is the more modern and practical choice. The benchmark scores suggest that for single-threaded tasks, the architectural improvements in Kaby Lake almost exactly offset the i7-940’s core and cache advantages. For multi-threaded tasks, the i7-940’s extra threads give it a marginal edge, but not the kind of lead one might expect from a quad-core versus a dual-core.

The Verdict

The data says the Intel Core i7-940 is the faster processor, but only by a margin so small it is unlikely to be perceptible in real-world use. Its 5-0 sweep in the head-to-head benchmarks is a win on paper, yet the largest delta is 0.9 percent — equivalent to a few points in a Cinebench score. If the goal is maximum multi-threaded throughput from these two specific chips, the i7-940 is the technically correct answer.

However, the benchmark results also show that the Pentium G4600T delivers nearly identical performance with a fraction of the power draw. A 35 W TDP versus 130 W is not a minor difference; it changes the cooling requirements, the power supply needs, and the overall system footprint. The G4600T also brings integrated graphics, DDR4 support, and PCIe Gen 3, making it a far more viable choice for a modern, low-cost system. The i7-940 requires a discrete GPU, an older motherboard platform (Socket 1366), and DDR3 memory, all of which are obsolete.

The practical recommendation is clear: for anyone building a new system, the G4600T is the sensible pick because its performance is statistically indistinguishable from the i7-940 while offering modern features and vastly lower power consumption. The i7-940 only makes sense if one already owns a compatible Socket 1366 motherboard and DDR3 memory and wants to squeeze the last bit of multi-threaded performance from an old platform. The 24th percentile ranking for both chips reinforces that neither is a performance leader — they are entry-level parts by modern standards. The i7-940 wins the benchmark war, but the G4600T wins the platform war.