Core i7-4930K vs Core i3-1210U
Core i7-4930K
Core i3-1210U
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 i7-4930K is positioned at rank 919 and the Core i3-1210U is on rank 317, so the Core i3-1210U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4930K
Performance Per Dollar Core i3-1210U
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-4930K | Core i3-1210U |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ❌ Lower gaming performance | ✅ Superior gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-E (2013) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Alder Lake-U (2022) / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-4930K | Core i3-1210U |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($100) | ✅ 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 i7-4930K and Core i3-1210U
Core i7-4930K
The Core i7-4930K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,379 points. Launch price was $670.
Core i3-1210U
The Core i3-1210U 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 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: FCBGA1781. Thermal design power (TDP): 9 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 9,438 points. Launch price was $149.
Processing Power
The Core i7-4930K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, matching the Core i3-1210U's 6 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4930K versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i3-1210U — a 12% clock advantage for the Core i3-1210U (base: 3.4 GHz vs 1 GHz). The Core i7-4930K uses the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-1210U uses Alder Lake-U (2022) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4930K scores 9,379 against the Core i3-1210U's 9,438 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-1210U. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-4930K vs 10 MB (total) on the Core i3-1210U.
| Feature | Core i7-4930K | Core i3-1210U |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.9 GHz | 4.4 GHz+13% |
| Base Clock | 3.4 GHz+240% | 1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 12 MB (total)+20% | 10 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core)+400% |
| Process | 22 nm | Intel 7 nm-68% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge-E (2013) | Alder Lake-U (2022) |
| PassMark | 9,379 | 9,438 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 2,040 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-4930K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-1210U uses FCBGA1781 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i7-4930K | Core i3-1210U |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA2011 | FCBGA1781 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | — | LPDDR5-5200 |
| Max RAM Capacity | — | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | — | 2 |
| ECC Support | — | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | — | 14 |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4930K) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-1210U). The Core i3-1210U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU)), while the Core i7-4930K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-1210U targets Thin & Light Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i3-1210U rivals Ryzen 3 5425U.
| Feature | Core i7-4930K | Core i3-1210U |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | — | Yes |
| IGPU Model | — | UHD Graphics for 12th Gen (64 EU) |
| Unlocked | — | No |
| AVX-512 | — | No |
| Virtualization | — | VT-x, VT-d, EPT |
| Target Use | — | Thin & Light Laptop |
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