Core i7-3930K vs Ryzen 7 2800H

Core i7-3930K vs Ryzen 7 2800H Performance Spectrum

Core i7-3930K

6 / 12

8,204

+0.4%

8,170

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 7 2800H 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 7 2800H: 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

✅+0.4% 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 7 2800H mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.

Ryzen 7 2800H

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,170 vs 8,204).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-3930K better than Ryzen 7 2800H?

Yes. Core i7-3930K is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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 0.4% 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?

Core i7-3930K is the better buy right now. Core i7-3930K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $583 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (14.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 7 2800H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-3930K vs Ryzen 7 2800H 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 7 2800H

The Ryzen 7 2800H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 30 May 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (Zen) (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 8,170 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-3930K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 2800H 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 3.8 GHz on the Ryzen 7 2800H — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.2 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i7-3930K uses the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Ryzen 7 2800H uses Raven Ridge (Zen) (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3930K scores 8,204 against the Ryzen 7 2800H's 8,170 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-3930K. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-3930K vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 7 2800H.

Feature	Core i7-3930K	Ryzen 7 2800H
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+200%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Raven Ridge (Zen) (2018)
PassMark	8,204	8,170
Geekbench 6 Single	731	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3930K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Ryzen 7 2800H uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-3930K	Ryzen 7 2800H
Socket	LGA2011	FP5
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
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 7 2800H). Primary use case: Core i7-3930K targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3930K rivals FX-8350.