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Intel Core i7-7740X

Intel Core i7-7740X: A Niche Processor for Enthusiasts in 2025

Kaby Lake-X Architecture, 14 nm, 4 Cores/8 Threads

Key Features: Architecture and Characteristics

The Intel Core i7-7740X, released in 2017, belongs to the Kaby Lake-X line. This specialized solution for the Intel X299 platform is aimed at enthusiasts willing to sacrifice the number of cores for a higher clock speed.

- Process technology: 14 nm — considered outdated technology in 2025, but it once provided stability for overclocking.

- Frequencies: Base — 4.3 GHz, turbo mode up to 4.5 GHz. With manual overclocking (supported by the motherboard), it can reach 5.0+ GHz.

- Cache and TDP: L3 — 8 MB, thermal design power — 112 W. In comparison, modern 8-core AMD processors have a TDP of 65–105 W.

- Key Features: Support for Hyper-Threading technology, unlocked multiplier, integration with the X299 platform for upgrades to 18-core CPUs.

Practical Example: In 2023 benchmarks, the i7-7740X achieved Geekbench 6 Single-Core — 1553, Multi-Core — 5516. This performance level is comparable to the Ryzen 5 5600X, but with higher power consumption.

Compatible Motherboards: LGA 2066 Socket and Nuances

The processor uses the LGA 2066 socket, which limits the choice of motherboards to the X299 chipset.

- Recommended Boards:

- ASUS ROG Rampage VI Extreme (price in 2025: $350–450 on leftovers).

- MSI X299 Gaming Pro Carbon AC ($250–300).

- Features:

- BIOS update required to work with Kaby Lake-X.

- Limited PCIe 3.0 support (in 2025, this is a downside for GPUs of RTX 4070+ level).

- Upgrade path to the Core i9-10900X (10 cores) or i9-10980XE (18 cores).

Tip: Choose motherboards with enhanced VRM (e.g., 8+ power phases) for stable overclocking.

Memory: DDR4 Only and Limitations

The i7-7740X supports DDR4 with a maximum frequency of up to 2666 MHz (officially), but X299 motherboards allow overclocking to 4000+ MHz.

- Modes: Dual-channel (due to architectural limitations of Kaby Lake-X), although the X299 platform is designed for four channels.

- Recommendations: The optimal choice is DDR4-3200 CL16 kits (32 GB, 2×16 GB). In 2025, such kits cost $80–120.

Important: DDR5 is not supported — this is a significant drawback for modern tasks requiring high bandwidth.

Power Supply: Minimum 600W

With a TDP of 112 W and peak consumption of up to 150 W (when overclocked), the power supply requirements depend on the GPU:

- Configuration without discrete GPU: 450 W is sufficient (e.g., be quiet! Pure Power 11).

- With an RTX 4070-level GPU: Recommended 650–750 W (Corsair RM650x, Seasonic Focus GX-750).

- Tip: Do not skimp on the power supply — unstable power can lower overclocking potential.

Pros and Cons in 2025

Pros:

- High frequency for games with low API overhead (e.g., CS2, Valorant).

- Upgrade potential on the X299 platform.

- Low price in the secondary market ($80–120).

Cons:

- Only 4 cores — multi-threaded tasks (rendering, streaming) execute slowly.

- Lack of PCIe 4.0/5.0 and DDR5 support.

- High power consumption compared to the Ryzen 5 7600X (65 W).

Usage Scenarios: Who Is It Relevant For?

1. Gaming: Suitable for 1080p/144 Hz gaming in CS2, Dota 2, Fortnite (when using RTX 3060 level GPU). In AAA titles (like Cyberpunk 2077), performance may drop due to 4 cores.

2. Office Tasks: Working with documents and browsers — no issues.

3. Multimedia: Streaming will require an external GPU with NVENC.

Example: In 2024, a user built a PC with an i7-7740X and an RTX 3060 for streaming retro games. Result: stable 60 FPS under load on OBS.

Comparison with Competitors

- AMD Ryzen 5 7600X ($220): 6 cores/12 threads, 5.3 GHz, DDR5, PCIe 5.0. Geekbench 6 Multi-Core — 8900+.

- Intel Core i5-13400F ($180): 10 cores (6P+4E), DDR5, TDP 65 W.

Conclusion: The i7-7740X lags behind in multi-threading and energy efficiency but excels in secondary market pricing.

Building Tips

1. Cooling: Use a cooler like Noctua NH-D15 or a 240 mm AIO (Deepcool Castle 240EX).

2. Memory: DDR4-3600 CL16 to minimize latency.

3. Graphics Card: Not higher than RTX 4070 — the CPU will bottleneck at 4K.

4. BIOS: Update to the latest version for compatibility with NVMe drives.

Conclusion: Who Is the i7-7740X Suitable for in 2025?

This processor should only be considered in two cases:

1. Upgrading an old X299 system without replacing the motherboard.

2. Budget builds focused on gaming, where the CPU price in the secondary market is under $100.

For new PCs in 2025, the choice is clear — the Ryzen 5 7600X or the Core i5-13400F. However, if you are an enthusiast who enjoys experimenting with hardware, the i7-7740X could be an interesting project for a custom build.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

June 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.

i7-7740X

Code Name

Kaby Lake

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).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Performance-cores

Performance-core Base Frequency

4.3 GHz

Performance-core Max Turbo Frequency

Maximum P-core turbo frequency derived from Intel® Turbo Boost Technology.

4.5 GHz

L1 Cache

64K per core

L2 Cache

256K per core

L3 Cache

8MB shared

Multiplier

43x

Unlocked Multiplier

Yes

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

LGA-2066

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

112 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100 °C

PCIe Version

PCI Express is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard used for connecting high-speed components, replacing older standards such as AGP, PCI, and PCI-X. It has gone through multiple revisions and improvements since its initial release. PCIe 1.0 was first introduced in 2002, and in order to meet the growing demand for higher bandwidth, subsequent versions have been released over time.

3.0

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.

x86-64

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.

64GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

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).

42.7 GB/s

ECC Memory Support

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model

An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.

N/A

Miscellaneous

Extended Instruction Set

SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX-2

PCIe Lanes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1553

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

5516

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

1291

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

5001

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2764

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

9868

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Ryzen 7 PRO 3700

1666 +7.3%

EPYC 7343

1616 +4.1%

Core i7-7740X

1553

Xeon W-2275

1497 -3.6%

Xeon Gold 6242R

1445 -7%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i7-9700F

6255 +13.4%

Xeon E5-2670 v3

5826 +5.6%

Core i7-7740X

5516

Xeon E5-2697 v2

5194 -5.8%

Xeon E5-2630L v4

4877 -11.6%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Ryzen 9 PRO 6950HS

1395 +8.1%

Xeon Platinum 8368Q

1335 +3.4%

Core i7-7740X

1291

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

1253 -2.9%

EPYC 7443P

1210 -6.3%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Xeon Silver 4214R

5525 +10.5%

Core i7-8750H

5247 +4.9%

Core i7-7740X

5001

Ryzen 7 3780U

4761 -4.8%

Xeon W-2125

4519 -9.6%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Core i7-11390H

2904 +5.1%

Core i5-1250PE

2823 +2.1%

Core i7-7740X

2764

Core i7-7700

2725 -1.4%

Core i9-10900X

2685 -2.9%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Core i7-6800K

10761 +9%

Core i7-1165G7

10331 +4.7%

Core i7-7740X

9868

Xeon E5-1650 v2

9347 -5.3%

Xeon E3-1280

9028 -8.5%