i3-12300 vs i9-7940X

Aggregate performance score

Core i9-7940X
2017
14 cores / 28 threads, 165 Watt
16.40
+78.5%
Core i3-12300
2022
4 cores / 8 threads, 60 Watt
9.19

Core i9-7940X outperforms Core i3-12300 by an impressive 78% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking403831
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation2.92no data
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i9no data
Power efficiency9.3714.43
Architecture codenameSkylake (server) (2017−2019)Alder Lake-S (2022)
Release date30 May 2017 (7 years ago)January 2022 (2 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$1,399no data

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

no data

Detailed specifications

Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores14 (Tetradeca-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads288
Base clock speed3.1 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed4.4 GHz4.4 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/sno data
L1 cache896 KB80K (per core)
L2 cache14 MB1.25 MB (per core)
L3 cache19.25 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nmIntel 7 nm
Die size484 mm2163 mm2
Maximum core temperature102 °C100 °C
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility++
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketFCLGA2066FCLGA1700
Power consumption (TDP)165 Watt60 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2, Intel® AVX-512Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2
AES-NI++
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Speed Shiftno data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX++
Idle Statesno data+
Thermal Monitoring-+
Turbo Boost Max 3.0+-
Deep Learning Boost-+

Security technologies

Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXTno data+
EDB++
Secure Keyno data+
OS Guardno data+

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300 are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPTno data+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4-2666DDR5-4800, DDR4-3200
Maximum memory size128 GB128 GB
Max memory channels42
Maximum memory bandwidth85.33 GB/s76.8 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AIntel UHD Graphics 730
Quick Sync Video-+
Clear Video HDno data+
Graphics max frequencyno data1.45 GHz
Execution Unitsno data24

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data4

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300 integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4no data4096 x 2160 @ 60Hz
Max resolution over eDPno data5120 x 3200 @ 120Hz
Max resolution over DisplayPortno data7680 x 4320 @ 60Hz

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300 integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectXno data12
OpenGLno data4.5

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300.

PCIe version3.05.0 and 4.0
PCI Express lanes4420

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i9-7940X 16.40
+78.5%
i3-12300 9.19

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i9-7940X 25954
+78.5%
i3-12300 14540

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i9-7940X 1456
i3-12300 2247
+54.3%

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i9-7940X 10615
+44.2%
i3-12300 7359

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 16.40 9.19
Physical cores 14 4
Threads 28 8
Power consumption (TDP) 165 Watt 60 Watt

i9-7940X has a 78.5% higher aggregate performance score, and 250% more physical cores and 250% more threads.

i3-12300, on the other hand, has 175% lower power consumption.

The Core i9-7940X is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-12300 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i9-7940X and Core i3-12300, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i9-7940X
Core i9-7940X
Intel Core i3-12300
Core i3-12300

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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