Core i9-10940X vs Ryzen 7 5700X

Intel

Core i9-10940X

14 Cores28 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2019
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2022
Ryzen family
·······

Core i9-10940X vs Ryzen 7 5700X Performance Spectrum

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.

Core i9-10940X vs Ryzen 7 5700X 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 i9-10940X vs Ryzen 7 5700X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-10940X

2019

Why buy it

  • +35.7% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • 100% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,450 vs 2,116).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 32 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.3 vs 89.0 PassMark/$ ($784 MSRP vs $299 MSRP).
  • 153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.

Ryzen 7 5700X

2022

Why buy it

  • +45.9% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
  • +66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB).
  • Costs $485 less on MSRP ($299 MSRP vs $784 MSRP).
  • Delivers 152.0% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 89.0 vs 35.3 PassMark/$ ($299 MSRP vs $784 MSRP).
  • Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (14,000 vs 19,000).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 5700X better than Core i9-10940X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 5700X is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10940X pulls ahead with 35.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 7 5700X also has the bigger cache pool with 66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10940X is the stronger fit. You are getting 35.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 5700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 5700X comes in $485 cheaper on MSRP at $299 MSRP versus $784 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-10940X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 35.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 152.0% better value on MSRP (89.0 vs 35.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 5700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2019) and 66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-10940X vs Ryzen 7 5700X Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-10940X

The Core i9-10940X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 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: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 27,684 points. Launch price was $299.

AMD

Ryzen 7 5700X

The Ryzen 7 5700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 26,609 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i9-10940X packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-10940X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Core i9-10940X versus 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 7 5700X — a 4.3% clock advantage for the Core i9-10940X (base: 3.3 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i9-10940X uses the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10940X scores 27,684 against the Ryzen 7 5700X's 26,609 — a 4% lead for the Core i9-10940X. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 19,000 vs 14,000 (30.3% advantage for the Core i9-10940X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,450 vs 2,116, a 37.4% lead for the Ryzen 7 5700X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,000 vs 9,715 (12.4% advantage for the Core i9-10940X). L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-10940X vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 5700X.

FeatureCore i9-10940XRyzen 7 5700X
Cores / Threads
14 / 28+75%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz+4%
4.6 GHz
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
3.4 GHz+3%
L3 Cache
19.25 MB (total)
32 MB (total)+66%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
512K (per core)+51100%
Process
14 nm
7 nm-50%
Architecture
Cascade Lake-X (2019)
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
PassMark
27,684+4%
26,609
Cinebench R23 Multi
19,000+36%
14,000
Geekbench 6 Single
1,450
2,116+46%
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,000+13%
9,715
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10940X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 5700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10940X versus DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5700X — the Ryzen 7 5700X supports 9.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i9-10940X supports up to 256 GB of RAM compared to 128 GB 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i9-10940X) vs 2 (Ryzen 7 5700X). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-10940X) vs 24 (Ryzen 7 5700X) — the Core i9-10940X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-10940X) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 7 5700X).

FeatureCore i9-10940XRyzen 7 5700X
Socket
LGA2066
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR4-3200+9%
Max RAM Capacity
256 GB+100%
128 GB
RAM Channels
4+100%
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
48+100%
24
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Only the Core i9-10940X supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10940X) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 5700X). Primary use case: Core i9-10940X targets High-End Desktop, Ryzen 7 5700X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 5700X rivals Core i7-11700K.

FeatureCore i9-10940XRyzen 7 5700X
Integrated GPU
No
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V
Target Use
High-End Desktop
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-10940X was priced at $784, while the Ryzen 7 5700X came in at $299. On launch pricing ($784 vs $299), Ryzen 7 5700X was $485 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10940X delivers 35.3 pts/$ vs 89.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 5700X — making the Ryzen 7 5700X the 86.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-10940XRyzen 7 5700X
MSRP
$784
$299-62%
Performance per Dollar
35.3
89.0+152%
Release Date
2019
2022

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