Core i7-4930K vs Ryzen 5 2500X

Core i7-4930K vs Ryzen 5 2500X Performance Spectrum

Core i7-4930K

6 / 12

9,379

0.0%

9,388

+0.1%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

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 i7-4930K vs Ryzen 5 2500X 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 i7-4930K vs Ryzen 5 2500X: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4930K

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 2500X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,379 vs 9,388).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.0 vs 59.0 PassMark/$ ($670 MSRP vs $159 MSRP).
❌100% higher power demand at 130W vs 65W.

Ryzen 5 2500X

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $511 less on MSRP ($159 MSRP vs $670 MSRP).
✅Delivers 321.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 59.0 vs 14.0 PassMark/$ ($159 MSRP vs $670 MSRP).
✅Draws 65W instead of 130W, a 65W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 2500X better than Core i7-4930K?

Yes. Ryzen 5 2500X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.1% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 2500X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 2500X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 2500X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 2500X comes in $511 cheaper on MSRP at $159 MSRP versus $670 MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 321.8% better value on MSRP (59.0 vs 14.0 PassMark/$), 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 5 2500X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2013), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4930K vs Ryzen 5 2500X Technical Specifications

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

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.

Ryzen 5 2500X

The Ryzen 5 2500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 9,388 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4930K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Ryzen 5 2500X offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-4930K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4930K versus 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2500X — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 2500X (base: 3.4 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-4930K uses the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2500X uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4930K scores 9,379 against the Ryzen 5 2500X's 9,388 — a 0.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 2500X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-4930K vs 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2500X.

Feature	Core i7-4930K	Ryzen 5 2500X
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)	16 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	12 nm-45%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	9,379	9,388

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4930K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2500X uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4930K	Ryzen 5 2500X
Socket	LGA2011	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4930K was priced at $670, while the Ryzen 5 2500X came in at $159. On launch pricing ($670 vs $159), Ryzen 5 2500X was $511 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4930K delivers 14.0 pts/$ vs 59.0 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2500X — making the Ryzen 5 2500X the 123.3% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4930K	Ryzen 5 2500X
MSRP	$670	$159-76%
Performance per Dollar	14.0	59.0+321%
Release Date	2013	2018

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