Core i3-10325 vs Core i7-5930K

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 i3-10325 vs Core i7-5930K 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 i3-10325 vs Core i7-5930K: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i3-10325

2021

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $429 less on MSRP ($154 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Delivers 275.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 66.8 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($154 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 140W, a 75W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,291 vs 10,369).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 15 MB).

Core i7-5930K

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-10325 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.8 vs 66.8 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $154 MSRP).
❌115.4% higher power demand at 140W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10325 better than Core i7-5930K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-10325 is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5930K pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i7-5930K also has the bigger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5930K is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 87.5% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 8 MB).

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

Core i3-10325 is the better buy right now. Core i3-10325 comes in $429 cheaper on MSRP at $154 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-5930K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 275.7% better value on MSRP (66.8 vs 17.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10325 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-10325 vs Core i7-5930K Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-10325

The Core i3-10325 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2021 (4 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1200. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 10,291 points. Launch price was $154.

Core i7-5930K

The Core i7-5930K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-E (2014) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,369 points. Launch price was $613.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i3-10325 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-5930K offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Core i7-5930K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.7 GHz on the Core i3-10325 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-5930K — a 23.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-10325 (base: 3.9 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-10325 uses the Comet Lake-R (2021) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-5930K uses Haswell-E (2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10325 scores 10,291 against the Core i7-5930K's 10,369 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-5930K. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i3-10325 vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-5930K.

Feature	Core i3-10325	Core i7-5930K
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	4.7 GHz+27%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.9 GHz+11%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+88%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-R (2021)	Haswell-E (2014)
PassMark	10,291	10,369
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,000
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,000

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10325 uses the LGA1200 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5930K uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-10325	Core i7-5930K
Socket	LGA1200	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	4
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	40

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i3-10325) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-5930K). Primary use case: Core i7-5930K targets High End Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-5930K rivals Ryzen 5 1600.

Feature	Core i3-10325	Core i7-5930K
Integrated GPU	—	No
IGPU Model	—	None
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	High End Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i3-10325 was priced at $154, while the Core i7-5930K came in at $583. On launch pricing ($154 vs $583), Core i3-10325 was $429 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i3-10325 delivers 66.8 pts/$ vs 17.8 pts/$ for the Core i7-5930K — making the Core i3-10325 the 115.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i3-10325	Core i7-5930K
MSRP	$154-74%	$583
Performance per Dollar	66.8+275%	17.8
Release Date	2021	2014

Search Core i3-10325 on Amazon

Search Core i7-5930K on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.