Intel Core i7-940

Intel Core i7-940 is a 2008-era desktop processor from Intel's Nehalem generation, built on the Bloomfield codename and 45 nm process. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.93 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The chip carries a 130 W TDP, uses the Intel Socket 1366 platform, and supports triple-channel DDR3 memory. With an average benchmark score of 886, the processor sits at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs in the database, indicating that it performs below the majority of modern processors while remaining competitive within its narrow peer group.

Benchmark Performance

The Intel Core i7-940's benchmark results show a clear picture of a processor that was capable for its era but is now firmly in the entry-level tier. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score is 2574, while the single-core score is 363. The Cinebench R20 results echo this pattern, with a multicore score of 1081 and a single-core score of 152. Older Cinebench R15 testing yields a multicore score of 259. These figures place the chip's average benchmark score at 886, which is effectively the median of its immediate rivals.

The nearest rival data reveals just how tight the competition is around this processor. The AMD PRO A8-8650B scores 887, a delta of -0.1% compared to the i7-940, meaning the two are functionally indistinguishable in aggregate performance. The Intel Xeon X5550, a server-oriented part from the same generation, scores 888, also a -0.2% delta. The Intel Core i3-9100HL, a much newer low-power embedded chip, scores 884, a 0.2% delta in favor of the i7-940. The Intel Pentium G4560T, a dual-core with hyper-threading, scores 882, a 0.4% delta. In all cases, the performance differences are under half a percentage point, making the i7-940 statistically tied with each of these four rivals in overall average score.

The 23rd percentile standing is significant context. It means that roughly three-quarters of all processors in the database outperform this chip on average. The i7-940's multicore advantage over its single-core performance is modest, as the R23 multicore score is about 7.1 times the single-core score, which is close to the theoretical 8-thread scaling limit but falls short due to the older architecture's inefficiencies.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread scores tells a story about workload suitability. In Cinebench R23, the multicore score of 2574 is achieved with 8 threads, while the single-core score of 363 represents one thread. The ratio of multicore to single-core is 7.09, indicating that the processor scales well across its 8 threads for heavily parallel workloads. Cinebench R20 shows a ratio of 7.11 (1081 divided by 152), consistent with the R23 result.

However, the absolute single-core scores are low by modern standards. The R23 single-core score of 363 is far below what contemporary processors achieve, reflecting the 2008 design's limited per-core throughput. In real-world terms, this means the i7-940 will handle multi-threaded rendering or encoding tasks with reasonable efficiency relative to its peers, but it will lag significantly in lightly-threaded workloads such as older games, office productivity, or web browsing, where single-core speed dominates.

The data suggests that the i7-940's strength lies in parallel throughput rather than responsive single-thread performance. Applications that can utilize all 8 threads — video encoding, 3D rendering, batch processing — will see better relative results than applications that rely on one or two cores. The 8 MB shared L3 cache and triple-channel memory controller help mitigate some of the single-thread deficit by reducing memory latency, but the architecture's age limits its ability to compete with newer designs on per-core efficiency.

Power and Thermals

The Intel Core i7-940 carries a 130 W TDP, which is high by today's standards. This TDP class places the processor in the upper tier of power consumption for desktop CPUs, requiring a substantial cooling solution. The 45 nm process node and 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die contribute to this thermal profile. The 130 W figure indicates that the chip draws significant power under load, especially when all 8 threads are active.

For cooling, the 130 W TDP implies that a stock cooler may struggle under sustained all-core loads, and users should expect to pair this processor with a capable air cooler or a basic liquid cooler to maintain reasonable temperatures. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means overclocking is not officially supported, so users cannot easily compensate for thermal headroom with higher clocks. The end-of-life production status further suggests that replacement parts and thermal solutions are increasingly scarce, making the chip a legacy option rather than a modern choice.

The 130 W TDP also has practical implications for system build considerations. A power supply must accommodate this draw, and case airflow must be sufficient to exhaust the heat generated. The processor's 45 nm fabrication process is inefficient by current standards, meaning that even at similar performance levels, it will generate more heat than a modern chip. The data shows no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU is mandatory, which adds further to system power requirements.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark data indicates that the Intel Core i7-940 is suitable only for specific legacy or low-cost scenarios. For multi-threaded creation workloads, such as video editing or 3D rendering, the chip's 8 threads provide a meaningful advantage over its nearest rivals — the R23 multicore score of 2574 is competitive with the Xeon X5550's aggregate performance, though the delta is negligible. However, the low percentile ranking (23rd) means that even modest modern processors will outperform it in most tasks.

For gaming, the single-core scores are the limiting factor. The R23 single-core score of 363 is far below what modern games require for smooth frame rates, especially in CPU-bound titles. The i7-940 would struggle with contemporary game titles, and the lack of an unlocked multiplier prevents any overclocking headroom. Older games or esports titles with low CPU demands might be playable, but the data does not support recommending this processor for gaming.

For office productivity, the multi-threaded nature of modern operating systems and applications means the i7-940 can handle basic tasks like word processing, spreadsheets, and web browsing, but the low single-core performance will make the system feel sluggish compared to even entry-level modern CPUs. The 23rd percentile ranking suggests that this processor is best suited for users who already own compatible Socket 1366 motherboards and DDR3 memory and need a drop-in replacement or a budget system for non-demanding workloads.

How It Compares

AMD PRO A8-8650B: The AMD PRO A8-8650B has an average score of 887, which is 0.1% lower than the i7-940's 886. This delta is effectively a tie, meaning the two processors deliver nearly identical aggregate performance. However, the i7-940's 8 threads versus the A8's 4 cores likely gives it an edge in heavily threaded workloads, while the A8 may be more efficient in single-threaded tasks, though the data does not provide per-core scores for the rival.

Intel Xeon X5550: The Xeon X5550 scores 888, a 0.2% delta in its favor over the i7-940. This server-oriented counterpart is nearly identical in performance, which is expected given that both are based on the same Nehalem architecture. The Xeon may offer better multi-socket support or ECC memory, but the benchmark data shows no meaningful performance gap.

Intel Core i3-9100HL: The Core i3-9100HL scores 884, a 0.2% delta in favor of the i7-940. This is a much newer processor, but its low-power design limits its average performance. The i7-940's higher TDP and 8 threads give it a slight aggregate edge, but the i3-9100HL likely offers better single-core performance and far lower power consumption, though those figures are not in the data.

Intel Pentium G4560T: The Pentium G4560T scores 882, a 0.4% delta in favor of the i7-940. This dual-core processor with hyper-threading is outclassed in multi-threaded workloads by the i7-940's 4-core/8-thread design. The delta is small, but the i7-940's R23 multicore score of 2574 versus the Pentium's likely lower score reflects the thread count advantage.

FAQ

Q: What is the Intel Core i7-940's average benchmark score?

A: The average benchmark score is 886, placing it at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: How does the i7-940 compare to the Intel Xeon X5550?

A: The Xeon X5550 has an average score of 888, which is 0.2% higher than the i7-940's 886. The performance difference is negligible.

Q: What is the single-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Cinebench R23 single-core score is 363, while the multicore score is 2574, yielding a ratio of about 7.1x.

Q: Does the i7-940 support overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so the processor does not support official overclocking.

Q: What memory type does the i7-940 use?

A: It supports DDR3 memory in a triple-channel configuration, and ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What is the processor's production status?

A: The Intel Core i7-940 is end-of-life, having been released in November 2008.