Intel Core i7-4940MX

The Intel Core i7-4940MX is a Haswell-generation mobile flagship, pairing 4 cores and 8 threads with a 3.10 GHz base clock and a 4.00 GHz boost clock. Built on Intel's 22nm process with 1,400 million transistors in a 177 mm² die, it carries an unlocked multiplier, a 57W TDP, and a launch MSRP of $1096. Released on 2014-01-19 and now end-of-life, it sits at the 44th percentile of all CPUs in the benchmark database with an average score of 1884.

Platform and Compatibility

The i7-4940MX uses Intel Socket G3, a mobile socket, and is built on the Haswell architecture at Intel's 22nm node. The die packs 1,400 million transistors across 177 mm², with a cache hierarchy of 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 over a dual-channel bus, yielding 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth; ECC memory is not supported. The CPU exposes PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU itself, and integrates Intel HD 4600 graphics. The part number is SR1PP.

Because the socket is mobile and the processor is end-of-life, the upgrade path is limited to the existing G3 platform ecosystem; there is no forward compatibility to newer sockets. The unlocked multiplier does provide headroom within the platform, but the production status means no new boards or firmware are forthcoming. For a user already on Socket G3, the i7-4940MX represents the top of the stack; for anyone else, the platform is closed.

Who Should Consider It

The i7-4940MX is a mobile part with 4 cores and 8 threads. Its benchmark profile shows a processor that is competitive with, but not dramatically ahead of, its nearest rivals. In Cinebench R23, it scores 5750 multi-core and 811 single-core; in Geekbench, 3869 multi-core and 1227 single-core. The 44th percentile ranking means it outperforms 44% of all CPUs in the database — a mid-pack result.

For gaming, the single-core scores are the relevant metric. An R23 single-core score of 811 places it in line with the rival Core i3-9100F and i3-9350K parts; the i7-4940MX trails the Xeon E3-1545M v5 by 0.3% in average score. Gamers on a G3 laptop will find the 4.00 GHz boost clock and HD 4600 iGPU adequate for older titles, but the data does not suggest headroom for modern AAA gaming at high settings.

For content creation, the multi-core scores tell a similar story. The R23 multi-core result of 5750 and R20 result of 2415 indicate a part that can handle light rendering and video encoding, but it is not a workstation-class performer. The 8 threads help with threaded workloads, and the unlocked multiplier allows overclocking to close the gap with the Xeon E3-1545M v5, which leads by 0.3%. However, the 57W TDP limits sustained all-core loads in thin chassis.

For office and productivity, the i7-4940MX is more than sufficient. Single-core performance of 811 in R23 and 1227 in Geekbench handles everyday applications, spreadsheets, and web browsing without issue. The integrated HD 4600 covers display output, and the dual-channel DDR3 at 25.6 GB/s is adequate for typical office memory traffic. The end-of-life status, however, means buyers should only consider it if they already own a compatible G3 system.

Power and Thermals

The i7-4940MX carries a 57W TDP, which classifies it as a high-power mobile part for its generation. A 57W TDP implies the need for a dedicated thermal solution — a capable cooling assembly that can sustain boost clocks under load. The unlocked multiplier means overclocking will raise power draw above the 57W figure, so the cooling solution must have headroom beyond the stock TDP. In a laptop, that typically means a larger heatpipe and fan arrangement; in a mobile workstation, it may be a more robust vapor-chamber design. The 22nm process keeps the die at 177 mm², but the 1,400 million transistor count still generates significant heat at 4.00 GHz boost. Users should expect the thermal solution to be the limiting factor for sustained performance.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core i7-4940MX use?

A: It uses Intel Socket G3, a mobile socket.

Q: Does the i7-4940MX support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported; it uses DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What integrated graphics does it include?

A: It includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking on supported boards.

Q: When was the i7-4940MX released?

A: It was released on 2014-01-19 and is now end-of-life.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does it provide?

A: It provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU.

Benchmark Performance

The i7-4940MX's average benchmark score is 1884. Its nearest rivals form a tight cluster: the Intel Xeon E3-1270L v4 scores 1883 (0% delta), the Intel Core i3-9350K scores 1883 (0% delta), the Intel Core i3-9100F scores 1881 (the i7 is 0.2% ahead), and the Intel Xeon E3-1545M v5 scores 1889 (the i7 is 0.3% behind). This places the i7-4940MX in a virtual tie with the Xeon E3-1270L v4 and the i3-9350K, marginally ahead of the i3-9100F, and just behind the Xeon E3-1545M v5.

Looking at individual benchmarks, the i7-4940MX delivers 579 in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 81 in single-core. In R20, it scores 2415 multi-core and 340 single-core. R23 results are 5750 multi-core and 811 single-core. Geekbench shows 3869 multi-core and 1227 single-core. The consistency across Cinebench versions indicates a stable performance profile; the single-core scores, in particular, are tightly grouped, with R15 single at 81, R20 single at 340, and R23 single at 811.

The 44th percentile ranking is the key context. The i7-4940MX is faster than 44% of all CPUs in the database, meaning it sits below the median. This is not surprising for a 2014 mobile part. Against its immediate rivals, however, it holds its own — the 0% deltas against the Xeon E3-1270L v4 and i3-9350K indicate that the mobile i7 is performance-equivalent to those parts in average score. The 0.2% edge over the i3-9100F is within noise, and the 0.3% deficit to the Xeon E3-1545M v5 is equally marginal.

For a mobile processor from the Haswell era, the i7-4940MX's performance is respectable but not outstanding. The unlocked multiplier is its main differentiator — it allows users to push clocks beyond the 4.00 GHz boost, potentially improving both single-core and multi-core results. The 57W TDP, however, constrains how far that overclock can go in a laptop chassis. In the database's context, the i7-4940MX is a mid-tier performer that competes with entry-level i3 parts and older Xeon E3 chips, rather than with modern high-core-count processors.