i9-9940X vs i7-870

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-870
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
2.02
Core i9-9940X
2018
14 cores / 28 threads, 165 Watt
18.10
+796%

i9-9940X outperforms i7-870 by a whopping 796% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-870 and Core i9-9940X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking1894334
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.195.59
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
Seriesno dataIntel Core i9
Architecture codenameLynnfield (2009−2010)Skylake (server) (2017−2019)
Release date8 September 2009 (15 years ago)8 October 2018 (5 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$305$1,387

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-9940X has 2842% better value for money than i7-870.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-870 and Core i9-9940X basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)14 (Tetradeca-Core)
Threads828
Base clock speed2.93 GHz3.3 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz4.5 GHz
Bus typeno dataDMI 3.0
Bus rate2.5 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
Multiplierno data33
L1 cache64 KB (per core)896 KB
L2 cache256 KB (per core)14 MB
L3 cache8 MB (shared)19.25 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm14 nm
Die size296 mm2484 mm2
Maximum core temperature73 °C88 °C
Number of transistors774 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility-+
Unlocked multiplier-+

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-870 and Core i9-9940X compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11 (Uniprocessor)
SocketFCLGA1156,LGA1156FCLGA2066
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt165 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-870 and Core i9-9940X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI-+
AVX-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX-+
Idle States+no data
Demand Based Switching-no data
PAE36 Bitno data
Turbo Boost Max 3.0no data+
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-870 and Core i9-9940X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+no data
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-870 and Core i9-9940X are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT+no data

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-870 and Core i9-9940X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size16 GB128 GB
Max memory channels24
Maximum memory bandwidth21 GB/s85.33 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-870 and Core i9-9940X.

PCIe version2.03.0
PCI Express lanes1644

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-870 2.02
i9-9940X 18.10
+796%

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-870 3128
i9-9940X 27996
+795%

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-870 478
i9-9940X 1472
+208%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-870 1563
i9-9940X 10309
+560%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.02 18.10
Recency 8 September 2009 8 October 2018
Physical cores 4 14
Threads 8 28
Chip lithography 45 nm 14 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 165 Watt

i7-870 has 73.7% lower power consumption.

i9-9940X, on the other hand, has a 796% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 9 years, 250% more physical cores and 250% more threads, and a 221.4% more advanced lithography process.

The Core i9-9940X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-870 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-870 and Core i9-9940X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-870
Core i7-870
Intel Core i9-9940X
Core i9-9940X

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-870 or Core i9-9940X, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.