Core i9-10940X vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D

Intel

Core i9-10940X

14 Cores28 Thrd165 WWMax: 4.8 GHz2019
Core family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

8 Cores16 Thrd120 WWMax: 5 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Core i9-10940X vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 7800X3D 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 7800X3D: 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

  • +2.7% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
  • 71.4% more PCIe lanes (48 vs 28) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 7800X3D across 30 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 35.3 vs 76.4 PassMark/$ ($784 MSRP vs $449 MSRP).
  • 37.5% higher power demand at 165W vs 120W.
  • Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D moves to AM5 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Ryzen 7 7800X3D can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Ryzen 7 7800X3D

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +25.7% higher average FPS across 30 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $335 less on MSRP ($449 MSRP vs $784 MSRP).
  • Delivers 116.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 76.4 vs 35.3 PassMark/$ ($449 MSRP vs $784 MSRP).
  • Draws 120W instead of 165W, a 45W reduction.
  • Newer platform on AM5 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,500 vs 19,000).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 7800X3D better than Core i9-10940X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 7800X3D is ahead with a 25.7% average FPS lead across 30 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-10940X pulls ahead with 2.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Ryzen 7 7800X3D also has the bigger cache pool with 398.7% larger total L3 cache (96 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 2.7% 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 7800X3D is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 7800X3D comes in $335 cheaper on MSRP at $449 MSRP versus $784 MSRP, and it still gives you a 25.7% average FPS lead across 30 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-10940X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.7% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. It is also 116.3% better value on MSRP (76.4 vs 35.3 PassMark/$), 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 7800X3D makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2019), a healthier platform with AM5 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, and 3D V-Cache and a much larger 96 MB L3 cache instead of 19 MB. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-10940X vs Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 7800X3D

The Ryzen 7 7800X3D is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 4.4 GHz, with boost up to 5 GHz. L3 cache: 96 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: AM5. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-5200. Passmark benchmark score: 34,293 points. Launch price was $449.

Processing Power

The Core i9-10940X packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D 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 5 GHz on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — a 4.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D (base: 3.3 GHz vs 4.4 GHz). The Core i9-10940X uses the Cascade Lake-X (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023) (5 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-10940X scores 27,684 against the Ryzen 7 7800X3D's 34,293 — a 21.3% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 19,000 vs 18,500 (2.7% advantage for the Core i9-10940X). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,450 vs 2,700, a 60.2% lead for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,000 vs 15,000 (30.8% advantage for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D). L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-10940X vs 96 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D.

FeatureCore i9-10940XRyzen 7 7800X3D
Cores / Threads
14 / 28+75%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.8 GHz
5 GHz+4%
Base Clock
3.3 GHz
4.4 GHz+33%
L3 Cache
19.25 MB (total)
96 MB (total)+399%
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
5 nm-64%
Architecture
Cascade Lake-X (2019)
Raphael (Zen4) (2022−2023)
PassMark
27,684
34,293+24%
Cinebench R23 Multi
19,000+3%
18,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,450
2,700+86%
Geekbench 6 Multi
11,000
15,000+36%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-10940X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 7800X3D uses AM5 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2933 on the Core i9-10940X versus DDR5-5200 on the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — the Ryzen 7 7800X3D supports 77.3% 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 7800X3D). PCIe lanes: 48 (Core i9-10940X) vs 28 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D) — the Core i9-10940X offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X299 (Core i9-10940X) and X670E,X670,B650E,B650,A620 (Ryzen 7 7800X3D).

FeatureCore i9-10940XRyzen 7 7800X3D
Socket
LGA2066
AM5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2933
DDR5-5200+77%
Max RAM Capacity
256 GB+100%
128 GB
RAM Channels
4+100%
2
ECC Support
No
Yes
PCIe Lanes
48+71%
28
🔧

Advanced Features

Both processors feature an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i9-10940X) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 7 7800X3D). The Ryzen 7 7800X3D includes integrated graphics (AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)), while the Core i9-10940X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i9-10940X targets High-End Desktop, Ryzen 7 7800X3D targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 7 7800X3D rivals Intel Core i7-14700K.

FeatureCore i9-10940XRyzen 7 7800X3D
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
None
AMD Radeon Graphics (2-core)
Unlocked
Yes
Yes
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
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 7800X3D came in at $449. On launch pricing ($784 vs $449), Ryzen 7 7800X3D was $335 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-10940X delivers 35.3 pts/$ vs 76.4 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 7800X3D — making the Ryzen 7 7800X3D the 73.5% better value option.

FeatureCore i9-10940XRyzen 7 7800X3D
MSRP
$784
$449-43%
Performance per Dollar
35.3
76.4+116%
Release Date
2019
2023

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