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Intel Core i9-7920X X-series

Intel Core i9-7920X X-series

Intel Core i9-7920X X-Series: Architecture, Compatibility, and Relevance in 2025

Updated: April 2025

1. Key Specifications: SkyLake Architecture, 14 nm, and More

The Intel Core i9-7920X processor, released in 2017, remains a niche solution for professionals. Despite its age, its 12 cores and 24 threads (base frequency of 2.9 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 4.3 GHz) provide high multithreading performance.

Architecture and Manufacturing Process

- Based on the SkyLake-X microarchitecture (14 nm), which appears outdated in 2025 compared to 5 nm and 7 nm chips.

- AVX-512 support—a plus for tasks like rendering and scientific calculations.

- 16.5 MB of L3 cache and 48 PCIe 3.0 lanes (suitable for multiple GPUs or NVMe drives).

Key Features

- Unlocked Multiplier—the potential for overclocking up to 4.5–4.7 GHz (depends on cooling).

- Quad-Channel DDR4—quad-channel memory controller.

- TDP 140 W—requires a powerful cooling system.

Performance in 2025

In synthetic benchmarks (Cinebench R23), the i9-7920X scores around 18,000 points (multithreaded mode), which is comparable to the Ryzen 7 7700X (8 cores, 16 threads, 7 nm). However, it lags behind modern counterparts in energy efficiency by 2–3 times.

2. Compatible Motherboards: LGA 2066 Socket and X299 Chipsets

The i9-7920X requires the LGA 2066 platform. The X299 chipset is the only option that supports all the features of the processor.

Recommended Models

- ASUS ROG Rampage VI Extreme—massive VRM (up to 22 phases), Wi-Fi 6 support (via adapter), 5x M.2 slots.

- MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC—balance of price and functionality, RGB lighting, 3x M.2.

Selection Features

- Ensure that the BIOS is updated to a version that supports SkyLake-X (relevant for used boards).

- Look for boards with VRM heatsinks—as temperatures can exceed 100°C during overclocking.

Prices

New X299 boards in 2025 are rare. For example, the ASUS ROG Rampage VI Extreme is found for $450–600 (remaining stock).

3. Supported Memory: DDR4 and Its Potential

The i9-7920X only works with DDR4 (up to 128 GB, Quad-Channel).

Memory Recommendations

- Frequency: Optimal at 3000–3200 MHz (higher may not be stable due to controller limitations).

- Latency: CL14–CL16. Example—G.Skill Trident Z RGB 32 GB (4x8 GB, 3200 MHz, CL14).

Why Not DDR5?

The SkyLake-X architecture does not support DDR5. In comparison, the Ryzen 9 7900X (AM5) uses DDR5-5200, enhancing performance in applications with high bandwidth demands.

4. Power Supply Units: Power Calculation and Stability

With a TDP of 140 W and overclocking, the i9-7920X can consume 250–300 W.

Recommendations

- Minimum: 650 W (for a PC with one RTX 4070 level graphics card).

- Ideal: 750–850 W (Corsair RM850x, Seasonic Prime GX-750).

- Overclocking + 2x GPU: 1000 W and above.

Practical Example

A user with an RTX 4080 and an i9-7920X (overclocked to 4.6 GHz) opted for a Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1200W PSU—providing headroom for upgrades.

5. Pros and Cons: Is It Worth Buying in 2025?

Pros

- Multithreading: 24 threads for $300–400 (used)—excellent for rendering.

- PCIe 3.0 x48: Connects 3-4 NVMe drives without speed loss.

- Overclocking Potential: Provides a +20–30% performance boost.

Cons

- Power Consumption: 300 W under load versus 150 W for the Ryzen 9 7900X.

- Heat: Without liquid cooling, temperatures can reach 90–95°C under load.

- Outdated Platform: No PCIe 4.0/5.0, DDR5, or Thunderbolt 4.

6. Usage Scenarios: Gaming, Work, Multimedia

Work Tasks

- 3D Rendering (Blender, V-Ray): 12 cores perform faster than 8-core rivals.

- Video Encoding: HandBrake, Adobe Premiere—rendering time for a 4K video is about 25 minutes (versus 18 minutes for Ryzen 9 7900X).

Gaming

- In AAA titles (Cyberpunk 2077, GTA VI), it lags behind the Ryzen 7 7800X3D due to lower IPC (Instructions Per Cycle).

- Average FPS at 1440p: 110–120 (compared to 140–160 for modern counterparts).

Multimedia

Streaming (OBS + gaming)—CPU load at 70–80%, with possible stutters without NVIDIA NVENC.

7. Competitors: AMD vs. Intel

AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (12 cores, 24 threads)

- Price: $550 (new).

- Pros: 5 nm, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, TDP 170 W.

- Cons: Higher platform cost (AM5).

AMD Threadripper 1920X (12 cores, 24 threads)

- Price: $250 (used).

- Pros: Quad-channel memory, 64 PCIe 3.0 lanes.

- Cons: Lacks AVX-512, difficult to find new TR4 boards.

Conclusion

The i9-7920X excels in price/performance ratio on the used market but falls short in energy efficiency.

8. Assembly Tips: Cooling, Case, and Compatibility

Cooling

- Air: Noctua NH-D15 (maximum load—85°C).

- Liquid Cooling: Arctic Liquid Freezer II 360 (overclocking to 4.7 GHz, 75°C).

Case

- Minimum: Mid-Tower with 6 fans (Lian Li Lancool III).

- Ideal: Full-Tower (Corsair 7000D) for ventilation.

Compatibility

- Check the cooler height and case size.

- For Quad-Channel memory, install modules in slots of the same color.

9. Final Conclusion: Who is the i9-7920X Suitable For in 2025?

This processor is relevant for:

- Budget Workstations: Builds for $800–1000 using used components.

- Overclocking Enthusiasts: Experiments with OC on a "retro" platform.

- Specialists: Rendering, code compilation where cores matter more than power consumption.

Why Not?

Gamers and users needing PCIe 5.0 or DDR5 should opt for Ryzen 7000 or Intel Core 14th generation.

Conclusion

The Intel Core i9-7920X in 2025 is a choice for those who value multithreading for minimal cost. But remember: its upgrade is impossible without changing platforms, and new technologies will remain out of reach.

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Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
July 2017
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
i9-7920X
Code Name
SkyLake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
12
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
24
Basic Frequency
2.90 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
4.30 GHz
Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 identifies the best performing core(s) on a processor and provides increased performance on those cores through increasing frequency as needed by taking advantage of power and thermal headroom.
Yes
Intel Turbo Boost Technology
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.
2.0
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
?
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.
Yes
Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 Frequency
?
Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 identifies the best performing core(s) on a processor and provides increased performance on those cores through increasing frequency as needed by taking advantage of power and thermal headroom. Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 frequency is the clock frequency of the CPU when running in this mode.
4.40 GHz
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
FCLGA2066
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
14 nm
TDP
140 W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
95°C
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
3.0
Number of PCI Express Lanes
?
A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.
44
Instruction Set
?
The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.
64-bit
Intel 64
?
Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.
Yes

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4-2666
Max Memory Size
?
Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.
128 GB
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
4
Max Memory Bandwidth
?
Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).
85 GB/s
Bus Speed
8 GT/s
ECC Memory Supported
?
ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.
No

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.
Yes
Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)
?
Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.
Yes
Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)
?
Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.
Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2 | Intel® AVX-512
Number of AVX-512 FMA Units
2
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology
?
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.
Yes
Execute Disable Bit
?
Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.
Yes
Cache
?
CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.
16.5 MB L3 Cache
Intel AES New Instructions
?
Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.
Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5
Single Core Score
1061
Geekbench 5
Multi Core Score
10169

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 5 Single Core
Ryzen 9 4900HS
1103 +4%
Core i9-8950HK
1076 +1.4%
Core i9-7920X X-series
1061
Pentium 8500
1035 -2.5%
Core i5-8400H
1015 -4.3%
Geekbench 5 Multi Core
Core i9-9940X X-series
12067 +18.7%
Ryzen Threadripper 1950X
10995 +8.1%
Core i9-7920X X-series
10169
Core i9-11900KB
9497 -6.6%
Ryzen 5 PRO 7640U
8931 -12.2%