Core i9-7940X vs Ryzen 7 250

Core i9-7940X vs Ryzen 7 250 Performance Spectrum

Core i9-7940X

14 / 28

25,452

0.0%

25,677

+0.9%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

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 7 250 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 7 250: 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

✅+20.3% larger total L3 cache (19 MB vs 16 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 250 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (25,452 vs 25,677).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,399 MSRP, while Ryzen 7 250 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌489.3% higher power demand at 165W vs 28W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2066 with DDR4, while Ryzen 7 250 moves to FP8 and DDR5.

Ryzen 7 250

2025

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +31.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 28W instead of 165W, a 137W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FP8 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2066 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (16 MB vs 19 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 250 better than Core i9-7940X?

Yes. Ryzen 7 250 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 31.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 7 250 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 31.3% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 7 250 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Ryzen 7 250 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 7 250 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,399 MSRP, and it still gives you a 31.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i9-7940X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 7 250 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2017), a healthier platform with FP8 and DDR5 instead of LGA2066, and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 14/28. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i9-7940X vs Ryzen 7 250 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 7 250

The Ryzen 7 250 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It is based on the Hawk Point (2024−2025) 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: 25,677 points. Launch price was $299.

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Processing Power

The Core i9-7940X packs 14 cores / 28 threads, while the Ryzen 7 250 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the Core i9-7940X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i9-7940X versus 5.1 GHz on the Ryzen 7 250 — a 14.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 250 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i9-7940X uses the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 7 250 uses Hawk Point (2024−2025) (4 nm). In PassMark, the Core i9-7940X scores 25,452 against the Ryzen 7 250's 25,677 — a 0.9% lead for the Ryzen 7 250. L3 cache: 19.25 MB (total) on the Core i9-7940X vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 250.

Feature	Core i9-7940X	Ryzen 7 250
Cores / Threads	14 / 28+75%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz	5.1 GHz+16%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.3 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	19.25 MB (total)+20%	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 (2024−2025)
PassMark	25,452	25,677

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Memory & Platform

The Core i9-7940X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 250 uses FP8 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i9-7940X	Ryzen 7 250
Socket	LGA2066	FP8
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 4.0+33%

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i9-7940X was priced at $1399, while the Ryzen 7 250 came in at $0. On launch pricing ($1399 vs $0), Ryzen 7 250 was $1399 cheaper.

Feature	Core i9-7940X	Ryzen 7 250
MSRP	$1399	$0-100%
Performance per Dollar	18.2	—
Release Date	2017	2025

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