Intel Core i9-10940X vs Intel Core i9-9960X Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data records eight head-to-head comparisons between the Intel Core i9-9960X and the Intel Core i9-10940X. The results are lopsided in favor of the older i9-9960X, which claims seven wins out of eight tests. The only exception is Geekbench single-core, where the i9-10940X takes a decisive lead.

In the Cinebench suite, the i9-9960X wins every round. The margin is remarkably consistent across both multi-core and single-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i9-9960X scores 2532 against 2370, a 6.8% advantage. The single-core R15 result is similar: 357 versus 334, also a 6.9% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i9-9960X records 10550 multi-core and 1489 single-core, while the i9-10940X manages 9878 and 1394 respectively, with both deltas sitting at 6.8%. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the i9-9960X posts 25120 multi-core and 3546 single-core, versus 23520 and 3320 for the i9-10940X, again a 6.8% difference in each case.

These consistent deltas suggest the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific. The i9-9960X simply has more compute resources available, and the Cinebench renderer scales with them. The largest win for the i9-9960X is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the 6.8% delta translates to a tangible lead in render throughput.

Geekbench paints a different picture. In Geekbench multi-core, the two chips are nearly identical: the i9-9960X scores 10512, the i9-10940X scores 10464, a razor-thin 0.5% difference. But in Geekbench single-core, the i9-10940X wins outright with 1556 points against 1396, a 10.3% advantage. This is the largest margin recorded in any test in either direction. It shows that while the i9-10940X trails in heavily threaded workloads, its individual core performance is substantially stronger.

Looking at the average benchmark score across all recorded tests, the i9-9960X lands at 6938, while the i9-10940X sits at 6605. That is a difference of roughly 5% in favor of the older part. The percentile rankings reflect this: the i9-9960X sits at the 63rd percentile among all CPUs, while the i9-10940X sits at the 62nd. Both are mid-pack parts in the broader CPU landscape, but the i9-9960X edges ahead.

The nearest rivals in the database put these scores in context. The i9-9960X is bracketed by the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G (delta of 0.1%), the Intel Pentium Gold G6400 (delta of -0.4%), the Intel Core i5-3470 (delta of 0.5%), and the Intel Xeon W-2195 (delta of 0.7%). The i9-10940X is bracketed by the Intel Pentium Gold G6405 (delta of 0%), the Intel Core i9-12900E (delta of -0.1%), the Intel Core i5-13500E (delta of 0.3%), and the Intel Core i5-13400E (delta of -0.5%). Both processors are clustered with parts that are far cheaper and lower in core count, which suggests their average scores are dragged down by the single-core results relative to modern mainstream chips.

Architecture Differences

The two processors share a common foundation but diverge in meaningful ways. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process node and both are manufactured by Intel. They use the same Intel Socket 2066 platform, and both are unlocked for overclocking. The memory support is identical in type: DDR4 with a quad-channel memory bus. Neither chip includes integrated graphics, and both are aimed at the desktop market segment.

The core counts differ. The i9-9960X has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the i9-10940X has 14 cores and 28 threads. That is a two-core, four-thread advantage for the older part, which explains its dominance in multi-threaded Cinebench workloads. The base clock on the i9-9960X is 3.10 GHz, while the i9-10940X starts at 3.30 GHz. The boost clocks move in the opposite direction: the i9-9960X boosts to 4.50 GHz, while the i9-10940X reaches 4.80 GHz. The higher boost clock on the i9-10940X aligns with its Geekbench single-core victory.

The architecture generation is where the naming gets subtle. The i9-9960X is built on the Skylake architecture, specifically the Skylake-X codename, and belongs to the Core i9 X-Series 9th Gen family. The i9-10940X uses the Cascade Lake architecture, specifically Cascade Lake-X, and belongs to the Core i9 X-Series 10th Gen family. Both are 14 nm parts, but Cascade Lake is a refinement of Skylake rather than a ground-up redesign.

Cache allocations reflect the core count differences. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is shared and differs: the i9-9960X has 22 MB, while the i9-10940X has 19.25 MB. The larger L3 on the i9-9960X gives it more shared cache per core, which can help in workloads that frequently access shared data structures.

The die size is only recorded for the i9-9960X at 484 mm². The i9-10940X has no die size listed in the database. The i9-9960X has a part number of SREZ4, while the i9-10940X has no part number recorded. The TDP is identical at 165 watts for both processors, which indicates the newer chip does not deliver its higher clocks at a lower power envelope.

Memory bandwidth is listed for the i9-9960X at 85.3 GB/s, but no corresponding figure is recorded for the i9-10940X. The PCIe configuration also differs in the database: the i9-9960X is listed with Gen 3 and 44 lanes from the CPU, while the i9-10940X is simply listed as Gen 3 without a lane count. The i9-10940X is the newer part with an active production status, while the i9-9960X is marked end-of-life. The i9-9960X launched in October 2018, and the i9-10940X launched exactly one year later in October 2019.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-9960X is the clear winner for multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its 6.8% lead across every Cinebench test, both R15 and R20 and R23, makes it the better choice for CPU-bound render tasks that scale with core count. The extra two cores and four threads give it a measurable advantage in any workload that can use them. The larger L3 cache of 22 MB versus 19.25 MB may also contribute to its consistency in these tests.

The i9-10940X wins in single-core responsiveness, as measured by Geekbench. Its 1556 score against 1396 is a 10.3% advantage, and its higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz versus 4.50 GHz is the likely driver. For lightly threaded applications, such as general desktop use, legacy software, or games that rely on one or two fast cores, the i9-10940X will feel snappier.

The multi-core Geekbench result is essentially a tie. The i9-9960X scores 10512 and the i9-10940X scores 10464, a difference of only 0.5%. This is curious because the Cinebench multi-core tests show a much larger gap. The explanation lies in the benchmark characteristics: Geekbench's multi-core test does not scale as aggressively with core count as Cinebench does, so the i9-10940X's higher clock speeds partially offset its two-core deficit.

For mixed workloads, the choice is less clear. The i9-9960X has the higher average benchmark score at 6938 versus 6605, and it wins seven of eight head-to-head tests. But the i9-10940X has the single-core edge, which matters in applications that are latency-sensitive or that cannot parallelize. The production status also favors the i9-10940X, which remains active, while the i9-9960X is end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i9-9960X wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 2532 in R15, 10550 in R20, and 25120 in R23, compared to 2370, 9878, and 23520 for the i9-10940X. Each delta is 6.8%.

Q: Does the i9-10940X win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i9-10940X wins Geekbench single-core with a score of 1556 against 1396, a 10.3% advantage. It also ties nearly in Geekbench multi-core, with 10464 versus 10512, a 0.5% difference.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The i9-9960X has 16 cores and 32 threads. The i9-10940X has 14 cores and 28 threads.

Q: How do the clock speeds compare?

A: The i9-9960X has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The i9-10940X has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

Q: Do both processors use the same socket and memory type?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 2066 and support DDR4 memory with a quad-channel memory bus. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the difference in L3 cache?

A: The i9-9960X has 22 MB of shared L3 cache. The i9-10940X has 19.25 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Verdict

The data points to the i9-9960X for anyone prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput. It wins every Cinebench test by 6.8%, and its average benchmark score of 6938 is higher than the i9-10940X's 6605. The two extra cores and four extra threads are the decisive factors, and the larger 22 MB L3 cache provides additional headroom. The 63rd percentile ranking versus 62nd confirms the overall edge.

The i9-10940X is the better pick for single-thread-sensitive applications. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1556 is a full 10.3% above the i9-9960X, and its 4.80 GHz boost clock is the highest recorded between the two. For users who run mostly lightly threaded software, the i9-10940X will deliver better responsiveness despite its lower core count. Its active production status also means it is still available for new builds, while the i9-9960X is end-of-life.

The multi-core Geekbench result, where the two chips are separated by only 0.5%, shows that the i9-10940X is not far behind in general multi-threaded work. The gap only widens in sustained render workloads like Cinebench. If the workload is known to scale well with cores, the i9-9960X is the data-backed choice. If the workload is single-thread-bound, the i9-10940X is the clear winner. The i9-9960X is the stronger overall processor in the recorded benchmarks, winning seven of eight head-to-head tests and carrying the higher average score.