Athlon Silver 3050e vs Core i7-930

AMD

Athlon Silver 3050e

2 Cores4 Thrd1 WWMax: 2.8 GHz2020
Similar parts
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VS
Intel

Core i7-930

4 Cores8 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.06 GHz2010
Similar parts
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Athlon Silver 3050e vs Core i7-930 Performance Spectrum

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.

Athlon Silver 3050e vs Core i7-930 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.

Athlon Silver 3050e vs Core i7-930: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Athlon Silver 3050e

2020

Why buy it

  • Costs $194 less on MSRP ($100 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
  • Delivers 192.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 29.8 vs 10.2 PassMark/$ ($100 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
  • Draws 1W instead of 130W, a 129W reduction.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Radeon Vega 3, while Core i7-930 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-930 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (2,979 vs 2,993).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-930

2010

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +12.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 350% more PCIe lanes (36 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.2 vs 29.8 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $100 MSRP).
  • 12900% higher power demand at 130W vs 1W.
  • No integrated graphics, while Athlon Silver 3050e can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-930 better than Athlon Silver 3050e?
Yes. Core i7-930 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core i7-930 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.2% 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, Core i7-930 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-930 is the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-930 comes in 194.0% more expensive on MSRP at $294 MSRP versus $100 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Athlon Silver 3050e only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 12.2% in the shared gaming data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Athlon Silver 3050e makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Athlon Silver 3050e vs Core i7-930 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Athlon Silver 3050e

The Athlon Silver 3050e is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2009-01-01. It is based on the Dali (Zen) (2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.4 GHz, with boost up to 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 1 MB + 4 MB. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,979 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i7-930

The Core i7-930 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 February 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,993 points. Launch price was $80.

Processing Power

The Athlon Silver 3050e packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-930 offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-930 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.8 GHz on the Athlon Silver 3050e versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-930 — a 8.9% clock advantage for the Core i7-930 (base: 1.4 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Athlon Silver 3050e uses the Dali (Zen) (2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-930 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Athlon Silver 3050e scores 2,979 against the Core i7-930's 2,993 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-930. L3 cache: 4 MB on the Athlon Silver 3050e vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-930.

FeatureAthlon Silver 3050eCore i7-930
Cores / Threads
2 / 4
4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock
2.8 GHz
3.06 GHz+9%
Base Clock
1.4 GHz
2.8 GHz+100%
L3 Cache
4 MB
8 MB (total)+100%
L2 Cache
1 MB+300%
256 kB (per core)
Process
14 nm-69%
45 nm
Architecture
Dali (Zen) (2020)
Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark
2,979
2,993
Cinebench R23 Multi
1,175
Geekbench 6 Single
758
Geekbench 6 Multi
1,494
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Athlon Silver 3050e uses the FP5 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-930 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 2400 on the Athlon Silver 3050e versus DDR3-1066 on the Core i7-930 — the Athlon Silver 3050e supports 125.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Athlon Silver 3050e supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 24 GB 33.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Athlon Silver 3050e) vs 3 (Core i7-930). PCIe lanes: 8 (Athlon Silver 3050e) vs 36 (Core i7-930) — the Core i7-930 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

FeatureAthlon Silver 3050eCore i7-930
Socket
FP5
LGA1366
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
2400+125%
DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB+33%
24 GB
RAM Channels
2
3+50%
ECC Support
No
No
PCIe Lanes
8
36+350%
🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Athlon Silver 3050e) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-930). The Athlon Silver 3050e includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 3), while the Core i7-930 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-930 targets Desktop.

FeatureAthlon Silver 3050eCore i7-930
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Radeon Vega 3
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
true
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Athlon Silver 3050e was priced at $100, while the Core i7-930 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($100 vs $294), Athlon Silver 3050e was $194 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Athlon Silver 3050e delivers 29.8 pts/$ vs 10.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-930 — making the Athlon Silver 3050e the 98.1% better value option.

FeatureAthlon Silver 3050eCore i7-930
MSRP
$100-66%
$294
Performance per Dollar
29.8+192%
10.2
Release Date
2020
2010

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