Core i5-3470T vs Core i7-930

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 i5-3470T 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.

Core i5-3470T 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.

Core i5-3470T

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $110 less on MSRP ($184 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Delivers 60.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.3 vs 10.2 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $294 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 130W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-930 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-930

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (36 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (2,993 vs 2,999).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.2 vs 16.3 PassMark/$ ($294 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
❌271.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 35W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3470T better than Core i7-930?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-930 is ahead with a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470T pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i7-930 also has the bigger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 3 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3470T is the better buy right now. Core i5-3470T comes in $110 cheaper on MSRP at $184 MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.2% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-930 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 8.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 60.1% better value on MSRP (16.3 vs 10.2 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3470T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3470T vs Core i7-930 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3470T

The Core i5-3470T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 3 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,999 points. Launch price was $210.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3470T 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 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470T versus 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-930 — a 16.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-3470T (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-3470T uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-930 uses Bloomfield (2008−2010) (45 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470T scores 2,999 against the Core i7-930's 2,993 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-3470T. L3 cache: 3 MB (total) on the Core i5-3470T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-930.

Feature	Core i5-3470T	Core i7-930
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 8+100%
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+18%	3.06 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+4%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	3 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+167%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-51%	45 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
PassMark	2,999	2,993

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470T uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-930 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-3470T	Core i7-930
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1066
Max RAM Capacity	—	24 GB
RAM Channels	—	3
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	36

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3470T) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-930). Primary use case: Core i7-930 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-3470T	Core i7-930
Integrated GPU	—	No
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3470T was priced at $184, while the Core i7-930 came in at $294. On launch pricing ($184 vs $294), Core i5-3470T was $110 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3470T delivers 16.3 pts/$ vs 10.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-930 — making the Core i5-3470T the 46.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3470T	Core i7-930
MSRP	$184-37%	$294
Performance per Dollar	16.3+60%	10.2
Release Date	2012	2010

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