Intel Core i9-7940X
Intel processor specifications and benchmark scores
UnlockedAt a Glance
IntelIntel Core i9-7940X Specifications
Core i9-7940X Core Configuration
Processing cores and threading
The Intel Core i9-7940X features 14 physical cores and 28 threads, which directly impacts multi-threaded performance in CPU benchmarks. More cores allow the processor to handle parallel workloads efficiently, improving performance in video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking scenarios. Thread count determines how many simultaneous tasks the CPU can process, with higher thread counts benefiting productivity applications and content creation workflows.
i9-7940X Clock Speeds
Base and boost frequencies
Clock speed is a critical factor in Core i9-7940X benchmark performance, measured in GHz. The base clock represents the guaranteed operating frequency, while the boost clock indicates maximum single-core performance under optimal conditions. Higher clock speeds translate to faster single-threaded performance, which is essential for gaming and applications that don't fully utilize multiple cores. The Core i9-7940X by Intel can dynamically adjust its frequency based on workload and thermal headroom.
Intel's Core i9-7940X Cache Hierarchy
L1, L2, L3 cache sizes
Cache memory is ultra-fast storage built directly into the i9-7940X processor die. L1 cache provides the fastest access for frequently used data, while L2 and L3 caches offer progressively larger storage with slightly higher latency. Larger cache sizes significantly improve CPU benchmark scores by reducing memory access times. The Core i9-7940X's cache configuration is optimized for both gaming performance and productivity workloads, minimizing data fetch delays during intensive computations.
Skylake Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The Intel Core i9-7940X is built on Intel's 14 nm manufacturing process, which determines power efficiency and thermal characteristics. Smaller process nodes allow for more transistors in the same space, enabling higher performance per watt. The architecture defines how the processor handles instructions and manages data flow, directly impacting benchmark results across different workload types. Modern CPU architectures like the one in i9-7940X incorporate advanced branch prediction and out-of-order execution for optimal performance.
Skylake Instruction Set Features
Supported CPU instructions and extensions
The Core i9-7940X by Intel supports various instruction set extensions that enable optimized performance for specific workloads. SIMD instructions like SSE and AVX accelerate multimedia, scientific computing, and AI workloads by processing multiple data points simultaneously. Features like AES-NI provide hardware-accelerated encryption, while AVX-512 (if supported) enables advanced vector processing for data centers and high-performance computing. These instruction sets are critical for software compatibility and performance in modern applications.
i9-7940X Power & Thermal
TDP and power specifications
The Intel Core i9-7940X has a TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 165W, indicating the cooling solution required for sustained operation. TDP affects both system power consumption and the type of cooler needed. Lower TDP processors are ideal for compact builds and laptops, while higher TDP chips typically offer better sustained performance in demanding CPU benchmarks. Understanding power requirements helps ensure your system can deliver consistent performance without thermal throttling.
Intel Socket 2066 Platform & Socket
Compatibility information
The Core i9-7940X uses the Intel Socket 2066 socket, which determines motherboard compatibility. Choosing the right platform is essential for building a system around this processor. The socket type also influences available features like PCIe lanes, memory support, and upgrade paths. When comparing CPU benchmarks, ensure you're looking at processors compatible with your existing or planned motherboard to make informed purchasing decisions.
Intel Socket 2066 Memory Support
RAM compatibility and speeds
Memory support specifications for the i9-7940X define which RAM types and speeds are compatible. Faster memory can significantly improve CPU benchmark performance, especially in memory-intensive applications and gaming. The memory controller integrated into the Core i9-7940X determines maximum supported speeds and channels. Dual-channel or quad-channel memory configurations can double or quadruple memory bandwidth, providing noticeable performance gains in content creation and scientific workloads.
Core i9-7940X Product Information
Release and pricing details
The Intel Core i9-7940X is manufactured by Intel and represents their commitment to delivering competitive CPU performance. Understanding the release date and pricing helps contextualize benchmark comparisons with other processors from the same generation. Launch pricing provides a baseline for evaluating value, though street prices often differ. Whether you're building a new system or upgrading, the Core i9-7940X by Intel offers a specific balance of performance, features, and cost within Intel's product lineup.
Core i9-7940X Benchmark Scores
cinebench_cinebench_r15_multicoreSource
Cinebench R15 multi-core renders a complex 3D scene using all CPU threads simultaneously. This test reveals how Intel Core i9-7940X performs in parallel rendering workloads like video production and 3D animation. Higher scores mean faster render times in professional applications.
Top 5 Performers
Top 5 PerformersNearby Performers
Nearby Performerscinebench_cinebench_r15_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R15 single-core measures the speed of one CPU thread rendering 3D geometry. This score indicates how Intel Core i9-7940X handles tasks that can't be parallelized across multiple cores. Games and many desktop applications still rely heavily on single-thread performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_multicoreSource
Cinebench R20 multi-core uses a scene requiring 4x more computational power than R15. This test better reflects modern CPU capabilities for professional rendering on Intel Core i9-7940X.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r20_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R20 single-core tests one thread against a more demanding scene than R15. This reveals the true single-thread rendering capability of Intel Core i9-7940X.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_multicoreSource
Cinebench R23 multi-core is the current standard for CPU rendering benchmarks with a 10-minute minimum runtime. This extended test reveals sustained performance of Intel Core i9-7940X after thermal limits kick in.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
cinebench_cinebench_r23_singlecoreSource
Cinebench R23 single-core measures sustained single-thread performance over 10 minutes. This reveals how Intel Core i9-7940X maintains boost clocks under continuous load.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_multicoreSource
Geekbench multi-core tests Intel Core i9-7940X across real-world workloads including image processing, machine learning, and data compression. All available threads are utilized to measure parallel performance.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
geekbench_singlecoreSource
Geekbench single-core measures how fast one thread of Intel Core i9-7940X can process tasks like web browsing and document editing. This score correlates with how snappy the system feels during normal use.
Top 5 Performers
Nearby Performers
About Intel Core i9-7940X
The Intel Core i9-7940X is a 14-core, 28-thread desktop processor based on the Skylake-X architecture, released in late 2017 on the Intel Socket 2066 platform. With a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.40 GHz, this end-of-life chip targets high-end desktop workloads, though its age is reflected in its 65th percentile ranking among all CPUs. The data shows a processor that remains competitive in multi-threaded tasks but lags in single-thread performance against modern architectures.
Benchmark Performance
The i9-7940X delivers a Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 21,769 points, which is a strong result for a 14-core part from 2017. In single-core R23, it scores 3,073 points, a figure that reveals the architectural age of Skylake-X when compared to newer designs. The R20 results show a multi-core score of 9,142 and a single-core score of 1,290, while the older R15 test yields 2,194 multi-core and 309 single-core. Geekbench results follow the same pattern: 10,516 multi-core and 1,445 single-core.
The average benchmark score across all tests is 6,217 points, placing the chip in the 65th percentile of all CPUs. This means roughly one-third of processors in the database outperform it on average, a notable drop for a former flagship. The deltaPct values against its nearest rivals show how tight the competition is: the i9-7940X trails the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X by just 0.2%, while leading the AMD EPYC 7272 by 0.5%, the AMD EPYC 7501 by 1.5%, and the Intel Core 7 240H by 1.7%. These margins are razor-thin, suggesting that in aggregate performance, the 7940X sits in a dead heat with several very different processors.
Multi-threaded scaling is the chip's strength. The R23 multi-core score of 21,769 is roughly 7.1 times the single-core score of 3,073, indicating excellent parallel efficiency across its 14 cores. However, the single-core numbers tell a different story: a R23 single-core score of 3,073 is now typical of mid-range mobile chips, not desktop flagships. The data indicates that workloads heavily dependent on single-thread performance will not favor this processor, whereas fully threaded rendering or encoding tasks will extract most of its capability.
How It Compares
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X: The 1950X holds a marginal 0.2% average score advantage over the i9-7940X, with an average score of 6,231 versus 6,217. This effectively makes the two processors statistical equals in aggregate benchmarks, despite the Threadripper's higher core count. The 7940X counters with higher boost clocks, but the overall average scores indicate that real-world differences will be within noise for most applications.
AMD EPYC 7272: The EPYC 7272 trails by 0.5%, scoring 6,186 on average. This server-oriented chip is a data center part, yet it lands within half a percentage point of the desktop i9-7940X. The comparison highlights that the 7940X's performance profile is not far removed from entry-level EPYC parts, though the desktop chip offers higher single-thread clocks.
AMD EPYC 7501: The 7501 scores 6,128 on average, putting it 1.5% behind the i9-7940X. This is a first-generation EPYC part, and the 7940X's lead, while small, shows that the desktop flagship held its own against early server silicon. The delta is larger than against the 7272, suggesting generational improvements in AMD's server line narrowed the gap over time.
Intel Core 7 240H: The Core 7 240H, a mobile processor, scores 6,115 on average, trailing the 7940X by 1.7%. This is the largest gap among the nearest rivals, yet it is still under two percent. The comparison is striking: a 2017 desktop chip with a 165W TDP barely edges out a modern mobile part, which underscores how far efficiency and per-core performance have advanced.
Power and Thermals
The i9-7940X carries a TDP of 165 watts, which places it in the high-power desktop segment. This figure requires a robust cooling solution; the data does not specify a minimum cooler class, but 165W implies a substantial air cooler or a liquid cooler is necessary for sustained all-core loads. The 14 cores on a 14 nm process, with a die size of 484 mm², generate significant heat under load. Benchmark results show strong multi-core scaling, which means the processor will draw near its TDP limit during Cinebench multi-threaded runs. The 165W TDP is higher than typical mainstream desktop chips, so system builders must account for adequate case airflow and a cooler rated for this thermal envelope. The unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking, but pushing beyond stock clocks will increase power draw and thermal output beyond the 165W figure, demanding even more capable cooling.
FAQ
Q: What is the average benchmark score of the Intel Core i9-7940X?
A: The average benchmark score across all recorded tests is 6,217 points, placing it in the 65th percentile of all CPUs.
Q: How does the i9-7940X compare to the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X?
A: The Threadripper 1950X has an average score of 6,231, which is 0.2% higher than the i9-7940X's 6,217. The two are effectively tied in aggregate performance.
Q: What are the multi-core and single-core Cinebench R23 scores?
A: The i9-7940X scores 21,769 in Cinebench R23 multi-core and 3,073 in single-core.
Q: Does the i9-7940X support ECC memory?
A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The processor supports DDR4 memory in a quad-channel configuration.
Q: What is the launch MSRP of the i9-7940X?
A: The launch MSRP was $1399.
Q: How many PCIe lanes does the CPU provide?
A: The processor provides 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU only.
Platform and Compatibility
The i9-7940X uses the Intel Socket 2066 platform, which is specific to the Skylake-X and Kaby Lake-X processor families. The chip is based on the Skylake architecture with the Skylake-X codename, belonging to the Core i9 X-Series 7th Generation. It is manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 484 mm². The processor supports DDR4 memory via a quad-channel memory bus, providing a theoretical memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported, which limits its appeal in error-sensitive workstation environments but is typical for desktop HEDT parts.
For expansion, the CPU offers 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, which is a high count for desktop platforms and enables multi-GPU configurations or multiple NVMe drives. The integrated graphics are not present, meaning a discrete GPU is required for display output. The socket 2066 platform is end-of-life, and the production status is listed as end-of-life, so there is no upgrade path within the same socket to newer architectures. The multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking of the base and boost clocks, but the platform itself does not support newer Intel processors. The memory support is limited to DDR4, with no mention of DDR5 compatibility. The 44 PCIe lanes are CPU-only, so chipset-based lanes would be additional if the motherboard provides them. The 14-core, 28-thread configuration, combined with the high PCIe lane count, made this a capable workstation part at launch, but the end-of-life status means buyers must consider the lack of forward compatibility on this socket.
The AMD Equivalent of Core i9-7940X
Looking for a similar processor from AMD? The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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