CPU Showdown

Core i9-9940XvsRyzen Threadripper 7970X

The Core i9-9940X is a high-core-count server CPU for enthusiasts who need solid multi-threaded work on a budget, while the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is a heavy-duty workstation monster for professionals who demand the absolute highest multi-threaded performance.

Intel Core i9-9940X
14C / 28T · 165W
VS
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 7970X
32C / 64T · 350W
Intel

Core i9-9940X

Skylake (server) · 14 nm · 2018

17score
3.8/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
14 / 28
TDP
165W
Boost Clock
4.5 GHz
L3 Cache
19.25 MB

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AMD

Ryzen Threadripper 7970X

Storm Peak · 5 nm · 2023

60score
4/ 5
0 votes
Cores / Threads
32 / 64
TDP
350W
Boost Clock
5.3 GHz
L3 Cache
128 MB

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Aggregate Performance

Overall Performance Score

A unified score from combined synthetic and real-world benchmarks. 100 represents the fastest desktop CPU available.

Core i9-9940X
17
Ryzen Threadripper 7970XWinner
60
Ryzen Threadripper 7970X leads by 252.9% in aggregate performance.
Where they rank overall
#4Ryzen Threadripper 9970X64
#5Ryzen Threadripper 7970X60
#6Ryzen Threadripper 9960X56
#125Ryzen 7 5800XT17
#126Core i9-9940X17
#127Core i5-13600T17
Technical Specifications

Side-by-Side Specs

Every detail compared. Highlighted cells indicate the leading value for that metric.

SpecsCore i9-9940XRyzen Threadripper 7970X
Cores
Total Cores1432
Threads2864
Base Clock3.3 GHz4.0 GHz
Boost Clock4.5 GHz5.3 GHz
Cache
L2 Cache14 MB32 MB
L3 Cache19.25 MB128 MB
Platform
PCIePCIe 3.0PCIe 5.0
Power
Base TDP165W350W
General
Process14 nm5 nm
Verdict

Which should you buy?

Winner overall

The Ryzen Threadripper 7970X wins overall with far more cores and faster clock speeds for heavy workloads.

Best value

For budget buyers, the Core i9-9940X is a smarter pick if you already own an LGA2066 platform.

When the other wins

The Core i9-9940X is the right choice when you need a capable older workstation CPU without upgrading your motherboard and memory.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core i9-9940X better than the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

Overall the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is the stronger processor: it ranks higher in our aggregate performance score (60 vs 17 out of 100), so it leads the Core i9-9940X in most workloads.

How much faster is the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X than the Core i9-9940X?

Based on our aggregated benchmark scores the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X is roughly 253% faster than the Core i9-9940X overall. The real-world gap varies by game, resolution and settings.

Which should you buy, the Core i9-9940X or the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X?

If you want the most performance, pick the Ryzen Threadripper 7970X. If the Core i9-9940X is meaningfully cheaper where you shop, it can be the better value for similar real-world results — check current prices and the full spec comparison above before deciding.