Core 7 250H vs Core i9-7940X

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core 7 250H vs Core i9-7940X FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core 7 250H vs Core i9-7940X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core 7 250H

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +30.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Draws 45W instead of 165W, a 120W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Core i9-7940X

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core 7 250H across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (25,452 vs 25,530).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 24 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,399 MSRP, while Core 7 250H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌266.7% higher power demand at 165W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core 7 250H better than Core i9-7940X?

Yes. Core 7 250H is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 30.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core 7 250H is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 30.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core 7 250H is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 20 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core 7 250H is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core 7 250H comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,399 MSRP, and it still gives you a 30.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-7940X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2066.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core 7 250H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2017), a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, 24.7% larger total L3 cache (24 MB vs 19 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 14 cores / 20 threads instead of 14/28. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core 7 250H vs Core i9-7940X Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core 7 250H

The Core 7 250H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 18 December 2024 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture. It features 14 cores and 20 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.4 GHz. L3 cache: 24 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 25,530 points. Launch price was $502.

Core i9-7940X

The Core i9-7940X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 165 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 25,452 points. Launch price was $1,399.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core 7 250H packs 14 cores / 20 threads, matching the Core i9-7940X's 14 cores. Boost clocks reach 5.4 GHz on the Core 7 250H versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7940X — a 20.4% clock advantage for the Core 7 250H (base: 2.5 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core 7 250H uses the Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024) architecture (10 nm), while the Core i9-7940X uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core 7 250H scores 25,530 against the Core i9-7940X's 25,452 — a 0.3% lead for the Core 7 250H. L3 cache: 24 MB (total) on the Core 7 250H vs 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-7940X.

Feature	Core 7 250H	Core i9-7940X
Cores / Threads	14 / 20	14 / 28
Boost Clock	5.4 GHz+23%	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	3.1 GHz+24%
L3 Cache	24 MB (total)+25%	19.25 MB (total)
L2 Cache	2 MB (per core)+100%	1 MB (per core)
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Raptor Lake-H (2023−2024)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	25,530	25,452

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core 7 250H uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i9-7940X uses LGA2066 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.