Core i9-7940X vs Ryzen 5 5600

Core i9-7940X vs Ryzen 5 5600 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7940X

14 / 28

25,452

+18.1%

21,550

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 5975WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

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 i9-7940X vs Ryzen 5 5600 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 i9-7940X vs Ryzen 5 5600: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i9-7940X

2017

Why buy it

✅+18.1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (19 MB vs 32 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 18.2 vs 108.3 PassMark/$ ($1,399 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
❌153.8% higher power demand at 165W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 5600.

Ryzen 5 5600

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +15.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB).
✅Costs $1,200 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $1,399 MSRP).
✅Delivers 495.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 108.3 vs 18.2 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $1,399 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 165W, a 100W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (21,550 vs 25,452).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600 better than Core i9-7940X?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 5600 is ahead with a 15.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i9-7940X pulls ahead with 18.1% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 5600 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 i9-7940X is the stronger fit. You are getting 18.1% better PassMark, backed by 14 cores and 28 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 5600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600 comes in $1,200 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $1,399 MSRP, and it still gives you a 15.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i9-7940X is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 18.1% better PassMark. It is also 495.2% better value on MSRP (108.3 vs 18.2 PassMark/$), 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 5 5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017) and 66.2% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 19 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i9-7940X vs Ryzen 5 5600 Technical Specifications

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

Core i9-7940X

The Core i9-7940X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 14 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 25,452 points. Launch price was $1,399.

Ryzen 5 5600

The Ryzen 5 5600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 20 April 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (2020−2025) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 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: 21,550 points. Launch price was $299.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i9-7940X packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Ryzen 5 5600 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i9-7940X has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7940X versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600 — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i9-7940X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses Vermeer (2020−2025) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7940X scores 25,452 against the Ryzen 5 5600's 21,550 — a 16.6% lead for the Core i9-7940X. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-7940X vs 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 5600.

Feature	Core i9-7940X	Ryzen 5 5600
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+133%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	4.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.5 GHz+13%
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	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)	Vermeer (2020−2025)
PassMark	25,452+18%	21,550
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	11,077
Geekbench 6 Single	—	2,052
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	8,600

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7940X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 5600 uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-7940X	Ryzen 5 5600
Socket	LGA2066	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity	—	128 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	Yes
PCIe Lanes	—	24

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i9-7940X) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i9-7940X	Ryzen 5 5600
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-7940X was priced at $1399, while the Ryzen 5 5600 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($1399 vs $199), Ryzen 5 5600 was $1200 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i9-7940X delivers 18.2 pts/$ vs 108.3 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 5600 — making the Ryzen 5 5600 the 142.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i9-7940X	Ryzen 5 5600
MSRP	$1399	$199-86%
Performance per Dollar	18.2	108.3+495%
Release Date	2017	2022

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