Intel Core i9-7940X vs Intel Xeon W-2191B Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2191B leads with an average benchmark score of 6531, while the Intel Core i9-7940X scores 6147. The Xeon sits at the 62nd percentile among all CPUs, compared to the i9's 61st percentile.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core rendering performance?

A: The Xeon W-2191B wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests. It scores 2407 in R15 versus 2161 for the i9-7940X, 10032 in R20 versus 9006, and 23887 in R23 versus 21444. The Xeon holds a consistent 10.2% advantage in each multi-core Cinebench test.

Q: Does the Core i9-7940X win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the i9-7940X wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 10516 in Geekbench multi-core versus 9614 for the Xeon, a 9.4% lead. In Geekbench single-core, the i9 scores 1445 against 1182, a substantial 22.3% advantage.

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

A: The Xeon W-2191B has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the Core i9-7940X has 14 cores and 28 threads. The Xeon provides four additional cores and eight additional threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Xeon W-2191B supports ECC memory. The Core i9-7940X does not support ECC memory. Both processors use DDR4 memory with a quad-channel bus and identical 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth.

Q: What is the difference in PCIe lane counts?

A: The Xeon W-2191B provides 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the Core i9-7940X provides 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. Both use the Intel Socket 2066.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Skylake architecture and are built on Intel's 14 nm process with a 484 mm² die size. They belong to the same Skylake family, with the i9-7940X designated as Skylake-X and the Xeon W-2191B as Skylake-W. The fundamental difference lies in their market positioning: the i9-7940X is a desktop part from the Core i9 X-Series 7th Gen, while the Xeon W-2191B targets server and workstation use.

The core configuration differs significantly. The Xeon W-2191B packs 18 cores and 36 threads, compared to the i9-7940X's 14 cores and 28 threads. This four-core, eight-thread advantage gives the Xeon a structural edge in heavily threaded workloads. The Xeon also carries a larger L3 cache at 24.75 MB shared, versus 19.25 MB shared on the i9. Both processors maintain identical per-core L1 cache at 64 KB and per-core L2 cache at 1 MB.

Clock speeds show a contrasting design philosophy. The i9-7940X has a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz. The Xeon W-2191B operates at 2.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. Despite lower clocks, the Xeon's additional cores compensate in multi-threaded scenarios. The thermal design power reflects this trade-off: the i9-7940X is rated at 165 W TDP, while the Xeon W-2191B draws 140 W TDP despite having more cores.

Memory capabilities diverge on ECC support. The Xeon W-2191B includes ECC memory functionality, a critical feature for workstation reliability. The i9-7940X lacks ECC support entirely. Both platforms use quad-channel DDR4 with identical 85.3 GB/s memory bandwidth. PCIe connectivity favors the Xeon with 48 Gen 3 lanes versus 44 on the i9-7940X.

The multiplier situation differs as well. The i9-7940X features an unlocked multiplier for overclocking flexibility, while the Xeon W-2191B has a locked multiplier, restricting manual frequency adjustment. The i9 was released on 2017-08-31 with a launch MSRP of $1399, while the Xeon arrived later on 2017-12-20. Both processors are now end-of-life products.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between Cinebench and Geekbench results. The Xeon W-2191B dominates all six Cinebench tests, while the i9-7940X wins both Geekbench tests. The Xeon's victory margin in Cinebench is remarkably consistent at 10.2% across every multi-core iteration, and nearly identical at 10% in the single-core R15 test.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 2407 against the i9's 2161, a 10.2% gap. The single-core R15 test shows the Xeon at 339 versus 305, a 10% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the Xeon posts 10032 against 9006 in multi-core, again 10.2% ahead, and 1416 versus 1271 in single-core. Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern: the Xeon reaches 23887 in multi-core versus 21444, and 3372 in single-core versus 3027. Each multi-core test demonstrates the Xeon's consistent 10.2% performance edge, suggesting that the additional four cores translate directly into proportional rendering gains.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative. In Geekbench multi-core, the i9-7940X scores 10516 against the Xeon's 9614, a 9.4% lead for the i9. This is particularly notable because the i9 has fewer cores, yet outperforms the Xeon in this workload. The Geekbench single-core test shows an even larger gap: the i9 scores 1445 versus 1182, a 22.3% advantage. This substantial single-core lead likely reflects the i9's higher boost clock of 4.40 GHz compared to 4.30 GHz on the Xeon, combined with the Xeon's lower base frequency of 2.30 GHz.

The overall win tally stands at 6 wins for the Xeon W-2191B and 2 wins for the Core i9-7940X. However, the magnitude of the i9's Geekbench victories, particularly the 22.3% single-core margin, demonstrates that the i9 holds meaningful advantages in specific workload types.

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon W-2191B is the superior processor for multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its four additional cores and eight additional threads deliver a consistent 10.2% performance advantage across all Cinebench multi-core tests. The Xeon's 24.75 MB L3 cache, 48 PCIe lanes, and ECC memory support further reinforce its workstation orientation. For users running Cinebench-class workloads, rendering tasks, or other heavily parallel applications, the Xeon W-2191B provides measurably better performance.

The Intel Core i9-7940X wins decisively in Geekbench single-core performance, with a 22.3% margin over the Xeon. Its higher base clock of 3.10 GHz and boost clock of 4.40 GHz contribute to this advantage. The i9 also leads in Geekbench multi-core by 9.4%, despite having four fewer cores. This suggests the i9's higher clock speeds and unlocked multiplier make it the better choice for single-threaded applications and Geekbench-style workloads that do not scale perfectly with core count.

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on workload characteristics. The Xeon W-2191B is the clear pick for Cinebench-heavy, multi-threaded rendering pipelines where its 10.2% advantage translates directly into reduced render times. The Core i9-7940X is preferable for mixed workloads that include significant single-threaded components, where its 22.3% Geekbench single-core lead and 9.4% multi-core Geekbench advantage provide tangible benefits. Users requiring ECC memory must choose the Xeon, while those wanting overclocking flexibility must choose the i9.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-7940X | Intel Xeon W-2191B |

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

| Cores | 14 | 18 |

| Threads | 28 | 36 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.40 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 165 W | 140 W |

| L3 Cache | 19.25 MB (shared) | 24.75 MB (shared) |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe Lanes | 44 (Gen 3) | 48 (Gen 3) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2017-08-31 | 2017-12-20 |

| Launch MSRP | $1399 | Not disclosed |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Generation | Core i9 X-Series 7th Gen | Xeon W (Skylake-W) |

Where Each One Wins

Intel Xeon W-2191B wins in:

• All Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, with a consistent 10.2% advantage over the i9-7940X.
• All Cinebench single-core tests, with a 10% to 10.2% edge.
• Workloads that scale with core count, given its 18 cores versus 14 on the i9.
• Server and workstation scenarios requiring ECC memory support.
• Systems needing additional PCIe connectivity with 48 lanes versus 44.
• Power-sensitive deployments, as it delivers higher multi-core performance at a lower 140 W TDP compared to 165 W.

Intel Core i9-7940X wins in:

• Geekbench multi-core with a score of 10516 versus 9614, a 9.4% margin despite having four fewer cores.
• Geekbench single-core with a score of 1445 versus 1182, a substantial 22.3% advantage.
• Single-threaded applications that benefit from the higher 4.40 GHz boost clock.
• Desktop scenarios where the unlocked multiplier allows frequency tuning.
• Workloads resembling Geekbench's mixed test patterns, where the i9 outperforms despite lower core counts.
• Users who prioritize the highest possible single-core responsiveness in everyday applications.