Core i7-980X vs Core i7-4940MX

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 i7-980X vs Core i7-4940MX 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 i7-980X vs Core i7-4940MX: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-980X

2010

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4940MX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Core i7-4940MX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌128.1% higher power demand at 130W vs 57W.

Core i7-4940MX

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 57W instead of 130W, a 73W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,783 vs 6,817).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4940MX better than Core i7-980X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4940MX is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-980X pulls ahead with 0.5% better PassMark. Core i7-980X also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-980X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i7-4940MX is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4940MX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-980X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (6.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1366.

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

Core i7-4940MX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-980X vs Core i7-4940MX Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-980X

The Core i7-980X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,817 points. Launch price was $959.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-980X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-4940MX offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-980X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-980X versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-4940MX — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4940MX (base: 3.33 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-980X uses the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-4940MX uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-980X scores 6,817 against the Core i7-4940MX's 6,783 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-980X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-980X vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4940MX.

Feature	Core i7-980X	Core i7-4940MX
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+7%	3.1 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+50%	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	6,817	6,783

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-980X uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-4940MX uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.