Intel Core i9-10940X vs Intel Core i9-12900E Comparison

The Intel Core i9-12900E and Intel Core i9-10940X are separated by two generations of Intel architecture, yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The 12900E averages 6611 points, while the 10940X averages 6605, a negligible 0.1% difference that places both CPUs in the 62nd percentile of all processors tested. This statistical tie, however, masks a stark split in workload performance: the 12900E dominates single-threaded tasks by a wide margin, while the 10940X holds a modest lead in one multi-core test. The data shows that these are not interchangeable parts, but rather two distinct tools for different jobs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite, a classic CPU renderer, paints a picture of near-perfect parity between the two chips. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 12900E scores 2371 against the 10940X’s 2370, a difference of exactly 0%. The single-core R15 test is a dead heat at 334 points each. Moving to R20, the 12900E edges ahead with 9882 points versus 9878, again a 0% delta. The R20 single-core result is identical at 1394 points. In the more demanding R23 test, the 12900E scores 23529, just ahead of the 10940X’s 23520, still a 0% difference. These results indicate that in pure CPU-bound rendering, the two processors deliver effectively the same throughput.

The Geekbench suite, however, breaks the tie. In Geekbench single-core, the 12900E delivers a decisive victory with a score of 1775, which is 14.1% higher than the 10940X’s 1556. This is the single largest performance gap in the entire comparison. The 12900E’s higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, compared to 4.80 GHz on the 10940X, clearly translates into a substantial advantage in lightly-threaded workloads. The story flips in Geekbench multi-core, where the 10940X scores 10464 against the 12900E’s 10280, a 1.8% lead for the older chip. This is the only benchmark where the 10940X wins, and it is a narrow one.

The overall win count favors the 12900E with 7 wins out of 8 head-to-head comparisons, but the magnitude of those wins is mostly zero or negligible. The 10940X’s single win is small but notable, given its older architecture. The data suggests that the 12900E’s superior single-thread performance is the defining differentiator, while the 10940X’s extra threads (28 vs 24) and quad-channel memory bus help it in certain multi-threaded scenarios.

Where Each One Wins

The 12900E is the clear winner for any application that relies heavily on single-core performance. The 14.1% lead in Geekbench single-core is the most significant margin in this comparison, and it is echoed by identical or slightly higher scores in every Cinebench single-core test. This makes the 12900E the better choice for tasks like web browsing, office productivity, and legacy software that cannot utilize many threads. The higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz gives it a raw speed advantage that the 10940X, with its 4.80 GHz boost, simply cannot match.

The 10940X, conversely, finds its niche in multi-threaded workloads that can use its 28 threads and quad-channel memory. Its 1.8% lead in Geekbench multi-core, while small, is the only place where it beats the newer chip. The 10940X also has a higher base clock of 3.30 GHz compared to 2.30 GHz on the 12900E, which suggests it may sustain performance better in sustained all-core loads, though the Cinebench multi-core results do not show a significant difference. The 165W TDP of the 10940X versus the 65W TDP of the 12900E also implies the older chip is designed to draw more power to feed its higher core count, which may be an advantage in systems with robust cooling.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to the Intel Core i9-12900E as the superior processor for most users. It wins 7 out of 8 benchmarks, and its 14.1% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest performance gap in the comparison. The 12900E achieves this with 16 cores and 24 threads, fewer threads than the 10940X’s 14 cores and 28 threads, but it compensates with a newer Alder Lake architecture and a faster 5.00 GHz boost clock. For anyone who prioritizes responsive, fast single-threaded performance, the 12900E is the clear choice.

The Intel Core i9-10940X is only the right pick for a very specific workload profile. If a user’s applications are heavily multi-threaded and can take advantage of 28 threads and a quad-channel memory bus, the 10940X’s 1.8% lead in Geekbench multi-core might be meaningful. However, this advantage is narrow, and it comes with the trade-off of significantly worse single-core performance. The data does not support choosing the 10940X for general use; it is a niche part for specialized multi-threaded tasks where its extra threads and memory bandwidth can be fully utilized.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher single-core score in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900E scores 1775, which is 14.1% higher than the Intel Core i9-10940X’s score of 1556.

Q: Are the multi-core scores in Cinebench R23 different?

A: The scores are effectively identical. The 12900E scores 23529, while the 10940X scores 23520, a difference of 0%.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-10940X has 28 threads, compared to the 24 threads of the Intel Core i9-12900E.

Q: What is the boost clock difference between the two CPUs?

A: The 12900E has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the 10940X has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-10940X has a base clock of 3.30 GHz, which is higher than the 2.30 GHz base clock of the Intel Core i9-12900E.

Q: In how many benchmarks does the 12900E win?

A: The 12900E wins 7 out of the 8 head-to-head benchmarks, with the 10940X winning only the Geekbench multi-core test.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Core i9-12900E uses Alder Lake, a 10 nm process from Intel, with a die size of 215 mm². The 10940X uses the older Cascade Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process. This process node difference is a key factor in the 12900E’s superior single-thread performance and lower power consumption. The 12900E’s cache hierarchy is also different: it has 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The 10940X has 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a smaller 19.25 MB shared L3 cache.

The 12900E supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the 10940X supports only DDR4. The 12900E also features 20 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, whereas the 10940X is limited to PCIe Gen 3. The 12900E includes integrated graphics in the form of UHD Graphics 770, while the 10940X has no integrated graphics at all. The 12900E uses the Intel Socket 1700, while the 10940X uses the older Intel Socket 2066. The 12900E was released on 2022-01-03, while the 10940X is from 2019-10-18. Both processors have an unlocked multiplier, allowing for overclocking.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification difference is the core and thread count. The 12900E has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the 10940X has 14 cores and 28 threads. This means the 10940X has more threads, but the 12900E has more physical cores. The base clock differs significantly: the 10940X runs at 3.30 GHz, while the 12900E runs at a lower 2.30 GHz. The boost clocks are closer, with the 12900E hitting 5.00 GHz and the 10940X reaching 4.80 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) is a major differentiator: the 10940X is rated at 165W, while the 12900E is rated at just 65W.

Memory support differs as well. The 12900E uses a dual-channel memory bus and supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the 10940X uses a quad-channel memory bus but only supports DDR4. The 12900E offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes, while the 10940X is limited to PCIe Gen 3. The 12900E has integrated UHD Graphics 770, but the 10940X has no integrated GPU. The launch MSRP of the 12900E is $494, while no launch MSRP is listed for the 10940X. The process node is also different, with the 12900E using 10 nm and the 10940X using 14 nm.