Intel Core i9-9940X vs Intel Xeon W-2195 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data between the Intel Xeon W-2195 and the Intel Core i9-9940X is remarkably tight. Across six Cinebench comparisons, the Xeon W-2195 wins every single test, but the margins are almost entirely within the noise of measurement. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 2401 against 2400 for the Core i9-9940X, a delta of 0%. Single-core R15 is an exact tie at 338 points for both processors.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Xeon W-2195 posts 10007 in multi-core, while the Core i9-9940X scores 10000, a 0.1% advantage. Single-core R20 shows 1412 versus 1411, again a 0.1% lead for the Xeon. In Cinebench R23, the Xeon W-2195 records 23828 multi-core against 23810 for the Core i9-9940X, and 3363 single-core versus 3361. Every one of these deltas is 0.1% or less.

It is importantly the Core i9-9940X has additional benchmark data in the database that the Xeon W-2195 lacks. The Core i9-9940X scores 10466 in Geekbench multi-core and 1468 in Geekbench single-core. Since the Xeon W-2195 has no recorded Geekbench result, no direct comparison is possible there.

The average benchmark score tells a slightly different story. The Xeon W-2195 averages 6892 across its recorded tests, while the Core i9-9940X averages 6657. That gap of roughly 3.5% is larger than any individual head-to-head delta, which suggests the Geekbench results, which are not available for the Xeon, may be pulling the Core i9's average down relative to its Cinebench performance.

The Xeon W-2195 holds a 63rd percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database, while the Core i9-9940X sits at the 62nd percentile. These rankings place both processors in the same performance tier, despite their different market segments and core counts.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Xeon W-2195 wins all 6 head-to-head Cinebench comparisons against the Intel Core i9-9940X. However, the largest margin in any of those tests is only 0.1%, so the practical performance difference is minimal.

Q: Are the Cinebench scores meaningfully different between the two?

A: No. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon W-2195 scores 2401 versus 2400 for the Core i9-9940X. In R20 multi-core it is 10007 versus 10000, and in R23 multi-core it is 23828 versus 23810. All deltas are 0.1% or less.

Q: Does the Core i9-9940X have any benchmark results the Xeon W-2195 does not?

A: Yes. The Core i9-9940X has Geekbench results of 10466 multi-core and 1468 single-core. The Xeon W-2195 has no Geekbench entries in the database, so these cannot be compared directly.

Q: How do their overall average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon W-2195 has an average benchmark score of 6892, while the Core i9-9940X averages 6657. This places the Xeon about 3.5% higher on average, despite the head-to-head deltas being much smaller.

Q: Which CPU ranks higher among all processors in the database?

A: The Xeon W-2195 ranks at the 63rd percentile, one point above the Core i9-9940X at the 62nd percentile.

Q: What do their nearest rivals look like?

A: The Xeon W-2195's closest rival is the Intel Core i5-3470 at 6906 average score, a 0.2% difference, followed by the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G at 6931. The Core i9-9940X's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X at 6647, a 0.1% difference, followed by the Intel Core i5-13400E at 6638.

Where Each One Wins

The Xeon W-2195 wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark, but the margins are so small that the wins are essentially symbolic. In multi-core workloads, the Xeon's 18 cores versus the Core i9's 14 cores do not translate into a meaningful advantage in the Cinebench suite. The Xeon W-2195 leads by 1 point in R15 multi-core, 7 points in R20 multi-core, and 18 points in R23 multi-core. These are fractions of a percent.

The Core i9-9940X does have one area where the database shows an edge: Geekbench. With a multi-core score of 10466 and a single-core score of 1468, the Core i9 demonstrates strong performance in that benchmark suite. Since the Xeon W-2195 has no Geekbench entry, the Core i9 is the only one of the two with recorded results in that test.

For single-core workloads, the two are effectively identical. The Xeon W-2195 scores 338 in R15 single-core and 1412 in R20 single-core, while the Core i9-9940X scores 338 and 1411 respectively. The 0.1% differences in R20 and R23 single-core are within run-to-run variance.

The average benchmark score favors the Xeon W-2195 at 6892 versus 6657, but this comparison includes the Core i9's Geekbench results, which are not mirrored on the Xeon side. Users should treat the average score difference as a composite metric rather than a head-to-head result.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ substantially. The Xeon W-2195 has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the Core i9-9940X has 14 cores and 28 threads. That is a 4-core, 8-thread advantage for the Xeon.

Clock speeds favor the Core i9-9940X. The Core i9 has a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the Xeon W-2195 operates at 2.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. The Core i9 enjoys a 1.0 GHz base clock advantage and a 0.2 GHz boost clock advantage.

Thermal design power differs as well. The Xeon W-2195 has a TDP of 140 watts, while the Core i9-9940X is rated at 165 watts. Despite having fewer cores, the Core i9 draws more power at its rated TDP, reflecting its higher clock speeds.

Cache configurations vary. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache differs: the Xeon W-2195 has 24.75 MB shared, while the Core i9-9940X has 19.25 MB shared. The Xeon offers 5.5 MB more L3 cache.

Memory support is matched in bandwidth but differs in ECC capability. Both support DDR4 with quad-channel memory and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon W-2195 supports ECC memory, while the Core i9-9940X does not.

PCIe lane counts differ. The Xeon W-2195 provides Gen 3 with 48 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i9-9940X provides Gen 3 with 44 lanes (CPU only). The Xeon offers 4 additional lanes.

The market segments and release dates differ. The Xeon W-2195 launched on 2017-08-28 as a Server/Workstation part, while the Core i9-9940X launched on 2018-10-18 as a Desktop part. The multiplier is locked on the Xeon W-2195 but unlocked on the Core i9-9940X.

The launch MSRP of the Xeon W-2195 was $2553. The launch MSRP of the Core i9-9940X was $1387.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Skylake architecture using a 14 nm process node at Intel's foundry, and both have a die size of 484 mm². The codenames differ: the Xeon W-2195 is Skylake-W, while the Core i9-9940X is Skylake-X. Both use the Intel Socket 2066.

The Xeon W-2195 belongs to the Xeon W (Skylake-W) generation, while the Core i9-9940X belongs to the Core i9 (X-Series 9th Gen) generation. Both have no integrated graphics.

The fundamental architectural difference comes down to market positioning. The Xeon W-2195 is a server and workstation part with ECC memory support, a locked multiplier, and 48 PCIe lanes. The Core i9-9940X is a desktop enthusiast part with no ECC support, an unlocked multiplier, and 44 PCIe lanes.

The core count difference of 18 versus 14 is the most significant architectural distinction, along with the larger 24.75 MB L3 cache on the Xeon versus 19.25 MB on the Core i9. The higher base clock on the Core i9 (3.30 GHz versus 2.30 GHz) partially compensates for its fewer cores in lightly threaded workloads.

Both processors are end-of-life and share the same process node, foundry, and die size. The memory bus is quad-channel for both with identical 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. The L1 and L2 cache configurations are identical per core.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents an unusual situation: the Xeon W-2195 wins every head-to-head test, but by margins that are effectively negligible. A 0.1% advantage in Cinebench R20 and R23 multi-core is not something a user will feel in real workloads. The single-core results are essentially tied at 338 in R15 and within 1 point in R20 and R23.

The Core i9-9940X has the higher clock speeds, with a 3.30 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost compared to the Xeon's 2.30 GHz base and 4.30 GHz boost. It also has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, which the Xeon lacks. The Xeon counters with 4 additional cores, 8 additional threads, 5.5 MB more L3 cache, ECC memory support, and 4 additional PCIe lanes.

For a workstation or server build where ECC memory is required, the Xeon W-2195 is the only choice between these two, as the Core i9-9940X does not support ECC. The Xeon's 48 PCIe lanes also make it more suitable for heavy expansion card configurations. The 140 watt TDP is lower than the Core i9's 165 watts, despite the Xeon having more cores.

For a desktop enthusiast build where overclocking matters, the Core i9-9940X is the more appropriate pick. Its unlocked multiplier, higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz, and higher average clock speeds give it flexibility that the locked Xeon cannot match. The Core i9 also has Geekbench results in the database, with 10466 multi-core and 1468 single-core, which the Xeon cannot claim.

Given the near-identical Cinebench performance, the decision comes down to platform features rather than raw speed. Users who need ECC memory, more PCIe lanes, or maximum core count should choose the Xeon W-2195. Users who want overclocking headroom and higher clocks on a desktop platform should choose the Core i9-9940X. The benchmark scores themselves will not separate these two in practice.