13score
#207 of 555
Overall rank

Core i9-7900X

10 cores · 20 threads · up to 4.5 GHz on Socket R4.

4.1 · 30 votes

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Cores
10
Threads
20
Boost
4.5 GHz
L3 cache
13.75 MB
TDP
140W
Socket
Socket R4

Performance breakdown

Gaming13
Productivity12
Single-core13
Multi-core42
Power efficiency11

Lab scores

Performance score13
Cores10
Threads20
Boost clock (GHz)4.5 GHz

Estimated gaming FPS

Paired with a high-end GPU. CPU impact is largest at 1080p.

1080p29 fps
1440p23 fps
4K16 fps

Full specifications

Processor & cores
Architecture
Skylake (server)
Process node
14 nm
Socket
Socket R4
Release year
2017
Total cores
10
Threads
20
Clocks & cache
Base clock
3.3 GHz
Boost clock
4.5 GHz
Multiplier
33 (unlocked)
L1 cache
640 KB
L2 cache
10 MB
L3 cache
13.75 MB
Memory & platform
Memory support
DDR4
Max capacity
128 GB
Channels
4
Max bandwidth
85.33 GB/s
Base power (TDP)
140W
Max temperature
95°C
PCIe
PCIe 3.0
Launch price
$999
Technologies
Instruction sets
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512
Extensions
AES-NI, AVX, AMD-V, VT-x, VT-d, Turbo Boost Max 3.0, TSX
Community Feedback

What Owners Say

Owners love the sheer multi-threaded grunt for heavy workloads. Common gripes are the high heat output and needing a serious cooler to keep it from throttling.

Pros
  • Plows through heavy multitasking without flinching
  • Runs surprisingly cool for its performance class
  • Quad-channel memory keeps data flowing fast
  • Stays relevant for years of demanding work
Cons
  • Wasteful power draw for desktop use
  • Hot under heavy load
  • Dead-end socket with no upgrade path
Verdict

Our verdict on the Core i9-7900X

Intel's i9-7900X is a high-core-count Skylake-X chip that runs hot and demands a pricey motherboard ecosystem.

Get it if you need a ton of CPU cores for heavy workstation tasks like video editing or 3D rendering on an older platform. Skip it if you’re gaming or building new, because cheaper modern chips run faster and cooler.

Buy it if…

  • You want to run heavy multi-threaded workstation tasks on an older platform.
  • You need a high-core-count CPU for a budget used workstation build.
  • You are upgrading a 2017-era high-end desktop and want maximum cores.
4.1

30 votes

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