Intel Core i9-9960X vs Core i9-7940X

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Combined performance score

i9-7940X
16.90

Core i9-9960X outperforms Core i9-7940X by 18% in our combined benchmark results.

General info

Comparing Core i9-7940X and Core i9-9960X processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking329245
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Value for money3.728.01
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9Intel Core i9
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2019)Skylake (server) (2017−2019)
Release date1 September 2017 (6 years old)19 October 2018 (5 years old)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,399$1,684
Current price$1899 (1.4x MSRP)$1490 (0.9x MSRP)
Value for money

Performance per price, higher is better.

i9-9960X has 115% better value for money than i9-7940X.

Technical specs

Core i9-7940X and Core i9-9960X 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 cores14 (Tetradeca-Core)16 (Hexadeca-Core)
Threads2832
Base clock speed3.1 GHz3.1 GHz
Boost clock speed4.4 GHz4.5 GHz
Bus support4 × 8 GT/s4 × 8 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache1 MB (per core)1 MB (per core)
L3 cache19.25 MB (shared)22 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm14 nm
Die size484 mm2484 mm2
Maximum core temperature102 °C85 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplierYesYes

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7940X and Core i9-9960X 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
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA2066
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt165 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i9-9960X. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX++
Turbo Boost Max 3.0++
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued

Security technologies

Core i9-7940X and Core i9-9960X technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i9-9960X are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i9-9960X. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR4-2666
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels44
Maximum memory bandwidth85 GB/s85 GB/s
ECC memory support--

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AN/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i9-9960X.

PCIe version3.03.0
PCI Express lanes4444

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.

i9-7940X 16.90
i9-9960X 19.93
+17.9%

Core i9-9960X outperforms Core i9-7940X by 18% in our combined benchmark results.


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.

Benchmark coverage: 68%

i9-7940X 25964
i9-9960X 30618
+17.9%

Core i9-9960X outperforms Core i9-7940X by 18% in Passmark.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i9-7940X 1370
i9-9960X 1378
+0.6%

Core i9-9960X outperforms Core i9-7940X by 1% in GeekBench 5 Single-Core.

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.

Benchmark coverage: 42%

i9-7940X 9919
i9-9960X 9994
+0.8%

Core i9-9960X outperforms Core i9-7940X by 1% in GeekBench 5 Multi-Core.

Gaming performance

Advantages and disadvantages


Performance score 16.90 19.93
Recency 1 September 2017 19 October 2018
Physical cores 14 16
Threads 28 32
Cost $1399 $1684

The Core i9-9960X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i9-7940X in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7940X and Core i9-9960X, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

User ratings

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i9-7940X
Core i9-7940X
Intel Core i9-9960X
Core i9-9960X

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Questions and comments

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