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 i3-1215U 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 i3-1215U 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 i3-1215U

2022

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 140W, a 125W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1744 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and DDR4.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU), while Core i7-5930K needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (10,281 vs 10,369).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (10 MB vs 15 MB).

Core i7-5930K

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB).
✅100% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-1215U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $583 MSRP, while Core i3-1215U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌833.3% higher power demand at 140W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011 with DDR4, while Core i3-1215U moves to FCBGA1744 and DDR5.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-1215U can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-1215U better than Core i7-5930K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-1215U is ahead with a 7.3% 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 0.9% better PassMark. Core i7-5930K also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 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 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 10 MB).

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

Core i3-1215U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-1215U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-5930K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (17.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

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

Core i3-1215U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2014) and a healthier platform with FCBGA1744 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i3-1215U vs Core i7-5930K Technical Specifications

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

Core i3-1215U

The Core i3-1215U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 February 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1744. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 10,281 points. Launch price was $149.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-1215U packs 6 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i7-5930K's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-1215U versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-5930K — a 17.3% clock advantage for the Core i3-1215U (base: 1.2 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i3-1215U uses the Alder Lake-U (2022) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the Core i7-5930K uses Haswell-E (2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-1215U scores 10,281 against the Core i7-5930K's 10,369 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-5930K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,079 vs 1,000, a 70.1% lead for the Core i3-1215U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 10 MB (total) on the Core i3-1215U vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-5930K.

Feature	Core i3-1215U	Core i7-5930K
Cores / Threads	6 / 8	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.4 GHz+19%	3.7 GHz
Base Clock	1.2 GHz	3.5 GHz+192%
L3 Cache	10 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	1.25 MB (per core)+400%	256 kB (per core)
Process	Intel 7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Alder Lake-U (2022)	Haswell-E (2014)
PassMark	10,281	10,369
Geekbench 6 Single	2,079+108%	1,000
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	6,000

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-1215U uses the FCBGA1744 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the Core i7-5930K uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR5-5200 on the Core i3-1215U versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-5930K — the Core i3-1215U supports 143.8% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i3-1215U) vs 4 (Core i7-5930K). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i3-1215U) vs 40 (Core i7-5930K) — the Core i7-5930K offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i3-1215U	Core i7-5930K
Socket	FCBGA1744	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 5.0+67%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR5-5200+144%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	20	40+100%

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-5930K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1215U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-5930K). The Core i3-1215U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU)), while the Core i7-5930K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1215U targets Mainstream Laptop, Core i7-5930K targets High End Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-1215U rivals Ryzen 3 5425U; Core i7-5930K rivals Ryzen 5 1600.

Feature	Core i3-1215U	Core i7-5930K
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU)	None
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Mainstream Laptop	High End Desktop