Core i7-3930K vs Ryzen 5 7520C

Core i7-3930K vs Ryzen 5 7520C Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3930K

6 / 12

8,204

+1.2%

8,104

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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.

Core i7-3930K vs Ryzen 5 7520C 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 i7-3930K vs Ryzen 5 7520C: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3930K

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅+200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $583 MSRP, while Ryzen 5 7520C mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌766.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 15W.
❌Older platform position on LGA2011, while Ryzen 5 7520C moves to FT6 and DDR5.

Ryzen 5 7520C

2023

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 130W, a 115W reduction.
✅Newer platform on FT6 with DDR5 support instead of LGA2011 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,104 vs 8,204).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 7520C better than Core i7-3930K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 7520C is ahead with a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3930K pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark. Core i7-3930K also has the bigger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-3930K is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 200% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 7520C is still the much better call for a fresh build. Ryzen 5 7520C comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-3930K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (14.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Ryzen 5 7520C makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2011) and a healthier platform with FT6 and DDR5 instead of LGA2011. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-3930K vs Ryzen 5 7520C Technical Specifications

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

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.

Ryzen 5 7520C

The Ryzen 5 7520C is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 23 May 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 6 nm process technology. Socket: FT6. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 8,104 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3930K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 7520C 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 4.3 GHz on the Ryzen 5 7520C — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 7520C (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-3930K uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 5 7520C uses Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023) (6 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3930K scores 8,204 against the Ryzen 5 7520C's 8,104 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i7-3930K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-3930K vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 7520C.

Feature	Core i7-3930K	Ryzen 5 7520C
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.3 GHz+13%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+200%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm	6 nm-81%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Mendocino (Zen 2) (2022−2023)
PassMark	8,204+1%	8,104
Geekbench 6 Single	731	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3930K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 5 7520C uses FT6 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3930K	Ryzen 5 7520C
Socket	LGA2011	FT6
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	4	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	40	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3930K) / not specified (Ryzen 5 7520C). Primary use case: Core i7-3930K targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3930K rivals FX-8350.