Core i5-7600K vs Core i7-4940MX

Core i5-7600K

4 Cores4 Thrd91 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2017

Core i7-4940MX

4 Cores8 Thrd57 WWMax: 4 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-7600K

4 / 4

6,813

+0.4%

6,783

0.0%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-7600K is positioned at rank 578 and the Core i7-4940MX is on rank 1184, so the Core i5-7600K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7600K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

9927%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

9380%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

6811%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2052%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

1625%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

1422%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

814%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

804%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

732%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

732%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

724%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

704%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

694%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

691%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

685%

#278

Ryzen Threadripper 1900X

MSRP: $549|Avg: $116

98%

#382

Ryzen Embedded R2544

MSRP: $280|Avg: $280

97%

#578

Core i5-7600K

MSRP: $217|Avg: $84

100%

#579

FX-6300

MSRP: $132|Avg: $35

100%

#581

Core i3-6100T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $20

99%

#582

Athlon X4 970

MSRP: $85|Avg: $85

99%

#583

FX-8370

MSRP: $199|Avg: $100

99%

#584

Pentium G4520

MSRP: $86|Avg: $45

99%

#585

Core i3-4170

MSRP: $117|Avg: $40

99%

#586

Celeron G460

MSRP: $37|Avg: $10

99%

#587

A4 PRO-7350B

MSRP: $50|Avg: $11

98%

#589

Pentium G3220T

MSRP: $54|Avg: $15

97%

#590

Celeron G1620

MSRP: $52|Avg: $40

97%

#591

Core i5-7600T

MSRP: $192|Avg: $60

97%

#593

Core i3-7300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $128

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4940MX

#1172

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

4740%

#1173

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

4670%

#1174

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

4288%

#1175

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

4268%

#1176

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

4229%

#1178

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

4084%

#1179

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

3916%

#1180

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

3910%

#1181

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

3805%

#1184

Core i7-4940MX

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1185

Athlon Neo X2 L325

MSRP: $100|Avg: $5

99%

#1186

Core i3-2370M

MSRP: $225|Avg: N/A

98%

#1187

Core i3-3217UE

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

98%

#1188

Celeron T3000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $54

97%

#1189

Core m7-6Y75

MSRP: $393|Avg: $393

97%

#1190

Core M-5Y10

MSRP: $281|Avg: $20

95%

#1193

Celeron 900

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

91%

#1194

Pentium T3400

MSRP: $150|Avg: $90

91%

#1195

Core 2 Solo SU3500

MSRP: $262|Avg: $15

90%

#1196

Core 2 Duo E8335

MSRP: $200|Avg: $50

88%

#1199

Celeron 560

MSRP: $89|Avg: $5

86%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-7600K (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-7600K	Core i7-4940MX
Gaming	✅ Superior gaming performance	❌ Lower gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($84)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Haswell (2013−2015) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-4940MX (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-7600K	Core i7-4940MX
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($84)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-7600K Benchmark Check

Core i7-4940MX Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-7600K and Core i7-4940MX

Core i5-7600K

The Core i5-7600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,813 points. Launch price was $242.

Core i7-4940MX

The Core i7-4940MX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 57 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,783 points. Launch price was $1,096.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-7600K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4940MX's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-7600K versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-4940MX — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-7600K (base: 3.8 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i5-7600K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4940MX uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7600K scores 6,813 against the Core i7-4940MX's 6,783 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-7600K. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7600K vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4940MX.

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Core i7-4940MX
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+5%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+23%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	6,813	6,783
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,143	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,800	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4940MX uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Core i7-4940MX
Socket	LGA1151	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600K) / not specified (Core i7-4940MX). The Core i5-7600K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-4940MX requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600K targets Gaming/Desktop.