Intel Core i9-9940X

The Intel Core i9-9940X is a 14-core, 28-thread desktop processor from Intel’s Core i9 X-Series 9th Gen line, built on the Skylake-X architecture and fabricated on Intel’s 14 nm process. It operates at a 3.30 GHz base clock and a 4.50 GHz boost clock, with a 165 W TDP. Benchmark data places the chip at the 66th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 6675.

Who Should Consider It

The i9-9940X is best suited for workloads that can use all 28 threads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 23897 is the strongest result in its benchmark set, and the Cinebench R20 multicore score of 10036 and Cinebench R15 multicore score of 2408 follow the same pattern. Users running multi-threaded creation tasks such as rendering, simulation, or heavy content production will get more from this processor than from one focused on lighter single-threaded work.

The single-core results are still respectable. Cinebench R23 single-core is 3373, Cinebench R20 single-core is 1416, Cinebench R15 single-core is 339, and Geekbench single-core is 1468. That means ordinary office productivity and everyday desktop applications should run smoothly. However, the processor’s 66th percentile ranking and the much higher multicore scores show that its identity is multi-threaded throughput, not peak single-thread performance.

For gaming, the picture is more nuanced. The CPU has enough single-thread performance for games, but its strongest advantage across the benchmark data is in multithreaded scenarios. A pure gaming-focused build would likely be better served by a processor with a higher single-core standing; the i9-9940X is a more logical fit for a workstation-class machine that also handles occasional gaming. It is a desktop part with a high core count and an unlocked multiplier, so systems built around it should be geared toward sustained all-core loads rather than low-power operation.

Power and Thermals

The thermal class of the i9-9940X is set by its 165 W TDP. That is a high TDP figure, and it implies a serious cooling solution rather than a small low-profile cooler. The processor has no integrated graphics listed, so the cooling solution is entirely directed at the CPU package.

The underlying silicon is Intel’s 14 nm process, and the die size is 484 mm². That combination, along with the 165 W TDP, places this chip in the high-power enthusiast desktop tier. The base clock of 3.30 GHz and boost clock of 4.50 GHz give it a wide operating range, but the thermal envelope remains a key planning factor for any system build. The data does not provide measured thermals, but the TDP figure alone is enough to identify the required cooling class.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark results show a processor that scales strongly across cores. The multi-threaded scores are 2408 in Cinebench R15, 10036 in Cinebench R20, 23897 in Cinebench R23, and 10466 in Geekbench. The single-threaded scores are 339 in Cinebench R15, 1416 in Cinebench R20, 3373 in Cinebench R23, and 1468 in Geekbench. Across all three Cinebench versions, the multicore result is substantially higher than the single-core result, which aligns with the 14-core, 28-thread design.

The aggregate average benchmark score is 6675, and the nearest-rival data puts that number into context. The i9-9940X is 0.4% behind the AMD EPYC 72F3, which has an average score of 6700, and also 0.4% behind the Intel Core i9-12900E, which has an average score of 6701. It is 0.4% ahead of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X, whose average score is 6647. Finally, it is 0.5% behind the Intel Xeon D-2775TE, which has an average score of 6711.

Those deltas are extremely small. The i9-9940X sits in a cluster of rivals that are all within roughly half a percent of one another on average score. That means the chip is not dramatically faster or slower than its nearest competitors in aggregate; instead, the choice among them would depend more on platform features and memory support. The 66th percentile ranking confirms that it sits above most CPUs in the database, but the rival comparisons also make clear that it is not at the top of the performance hierarchy.

The Geekbench single-core score of 1468 is notably lower than the processor’s multi-threaded scores, which reinforces the interpretation that the i9-9940X is a throughput-oriented part. The Cinebench R23 multicore result of 23897 is the standout number in the set, and the Cinebench R15 and R20 multicore results follow the same trend. For users who need maximum multi-core throughput in this platform class, the benchmark data points squarely at the i9-9940X as a capable high-core-count option.

Platform and Compatibility

The i9-9940X is built for Intel Socket 2066 and belongs to the Core i9 X-Series 9th Gen family. It supports DDR4 memory through a quad-channel memory bus, with a listed memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. ECC memory is not supported. The platform provides PCIe Gen 3 with 44 lanes available from the CPU itself, which gives the processor a substantial I/O allocation for expansion cards and storage.

The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and 19.25 MB of shared L3 cache. There is no integrated graphics listed, so a discrete GPU will be needed for display output. The processor has an unlocked multiplier, which makes overclocking possible from a platform perspective. Its part number is SREZ5.

The production status is marked as end-of-life. That means the upgrade path is constrained to the same socket family and generation. The processor is also listed with a desktop market segment, so it is positioned for desktop builds rather than mobile or server systems. The 44 CPU-only PCIe lanes and quad-channel memory support are notable platform features for a high-core-count desktop processor, especially for users who want to keep the CPU busy with heavy memory and I/O workloads.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core i9-9940X use?

A: It uses Intel Socket 2066.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 14 cores and 28 threads.

Q: What memory type and bus does it support?

A: It supports DDR4 memory through a quad-channel bus, with a memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

Q: Does the i9-9940X support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported.

Q: Is the processor overclockable?

A: Yes, the multiplier is unlocked.

Q: What is its production status and part number?

A: The production status is end-of-life, and the part number is SREZ5. The launch MSRP was $1387.