Core i7-3930K vs Core i5-10300H
Core i7-3930K
Core i5-10300H
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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.
Value Upgrade Path
This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-3930K is positioned at rank 917 and the Core i5-10300H is on rank 390, so the Core i5-10300H offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3930K
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-10300H
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-3930K | Core i5-10300H |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm) | ✨ Modern (Comet Lake-H (2020) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-3930K | Core i5-10300H |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($150) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.
Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-3930K and Core i5-10300H
Core i7-3930K
The Core i7-3930K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,204 points. Launch price was $611.
Core i5-10300H
The Core i5-10300H is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 17 September 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-H (2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,209 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-3930K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i5-10300H offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-3930K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3930K versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i5-10300H — a 16.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-10300H (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i7-3930K uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-10300H uses Comet Lake-H (2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3930K scores 8,204 against the Core i5-10300H's 8,209 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-10300H. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 731 vs 1,533, a 70.8% lead for the Core i5-10300H that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-3930K vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-10300H.
| Feature | Core i7-3930K | Core i5-10300H |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12+50% | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 4.5 GHz+18% |
| Base Clock | 3.2 GHz+28% | 2.5 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total)+100% | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 32 nm | 14 nm-56% |
| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) | Comet Lake-H (2020) |
| PassMark | 8,204 | 8,209 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 731 | 1,533+110% |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-3930K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-10300H uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i7-3930K versus DDR4-2933 on the Core i5-10300H — the Core i5-10300H supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-10300H supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-3930K) vs 2 (Core i5-10300H). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-3930K) vs 16 (Core i5-10300H) — the Core i7-3930K offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X79 (Core i7-3930K) and HM470,QM480,WM490 (Core i5-10300H).
| Feature | Core i7-3930K | Core i5-10300H |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | BGA1440 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 2.0 | PCIe 3.0+50% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | DDR4-2933+33% |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 128 GB+100% |
| RAM Channels | 4+100% | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 40+150% | 16 |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-3930K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. The Core i5-10300H includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-3930K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-3930K targets HEDT Desktop, Core i5-10300H targets Performance Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3930K rivals FX-8350; Core i5-10300H rivals Ryzen 5 4600H.
| Feature | Core i7-3930K | Core i5-10300H |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | No | Yes |
| IGPU Model | None | UHD Graphics 630 |
| Unlocked | Yes | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | HEDT Desktop | Performance Laptop |
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