Core i9-7920X vs Ryzen 7 8840U

Intel

Core i9-7920X

12 Cores24 Thrd140 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2017
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 8840U

8 Cores16 Thrd28 WWMax: 5.1 GHz2023
Ryzen family
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Core i9-7920X vs Ryzen 7 8840U 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 i9-7920X vs Ryzen 7 8840U 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 i9-7920X vs Ryzen 7 8840U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-7920X

2017

Why buy it

  • +0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 8840U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $1,199 MSRP, while Ryzen 7 8840U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 400% higher power demand at 140W vs 28W.
  • Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 8840U moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Ryzen 7 8840U

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +33.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 28W instead of 140W, a 112W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (23,415 vs 23,508).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 8840U better than Core i9-7920X?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 7 8840U is ahead with a 33.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7920X pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7920X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 8840U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 7 8840U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,199 MSRP, and it still gives you a 33.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-7920X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (19.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?
Ryzen 7 8840U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-7920X vs Ryzen 7 8840U Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i9-7920X

The Core i9-7920X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 10 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 23,508 points. Launch price was $1,199.

AMD

Ryzen 7 8840U

The Ryzen 7 8840U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 December 2023 (1 year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 5.1 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 1 MB (per core). Built on 4 nm process technology. Socket: FP8. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 23,415 points. Launch price was $299.

Processing Power

The Core i9-7920X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Ryzen 7 8840U offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-7920X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7920X versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 8840U — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 8840U (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-7920X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 8840U uses Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7920X scores 23,508 against the Ryzen 7 8840U's 23,415 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i9-7920X. L3 cache: 16.5 MB (total) on the Core i9-7920X vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 8840U.

FeatureCore i9-7920XRyzen 7 8840U
Cores / Threads
12 / 24+50%
8 / 16
Boost Clock
4.4 GHz
5.1 GHz+16%
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3.3 GHz+14%
L3 Cache
16.5 MB (total)+3%
16 MB (total)
L2 Cache
1 MB (per core)
1 MB (per core)
Process
14 nm
4 nm-71%
Architecture
Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
Hawk Point-U (Zen 4) (2023−2025)
PassMark
23,508
23,415
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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7920X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 8840U uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i9-7920XRyzen 7 8840U
Socket
LGA2066
FP8
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%