Core i7-5930K vs Core i3-12100TE

Core i7-5930K

6 Cores12 Thrd140 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2014

Core i3-12100TE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 4 GHz2022

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-5930K

6 / 12

10,369

0.0%

10,432

+0.6%

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. The Core i7-5930K is positioned at rank #849 in our cost-efficiency ranking, representing a Lower cost-benefit for your build. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5930K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

17522%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

16556%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

12021%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

3622%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2869%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2509%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1437%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1419%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1292%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1292%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1277%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1243%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1225%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1220%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1209%

#849

Core i7-5930K

MSRP: $583|Avg: $410

100%

#851

Core i3-3240T

MSRP: $117|Avg: $8

100%

#852

Athlon II X2 240

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

99%

#854

Core i5-2500S

MSRP: $192|Avg: $61

99%

#856

Athlon X2 BE-2400

MSRP: $60|Avg: $5

98%

#857

Core i3-2102

MSRP: $117|Avg: $15

97%

#858

Pentium G850

MSRP: $86|Avg: $75

97%

#859

Core i5-3475S

MSRP: $249|Avg: $42

97%

#860

Core i7-2600K

MSRP: $317|Avg: $109

97%

#861

Pentium G860

MSRP: $86|Avg: $36

97%

#862

Athlon II X2 245

MSRP: $66|Avg: $15

97%

#863

Core i7-2700K

MSRP: $332|Avg: $45

96%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i3-12100TE (2022) utilizes 10 nm technology and **DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel**, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-5930K	Core i3-12100TE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($410)	✅ More affordable ($149)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Haswell-E (2014) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Alder Lake-S (2022) / 10 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-5930K (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-5930K	Core i3-12100TE
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+177%)
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($410)	✅ More affordable ($149)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Core i7-5930K Benchmark Check

Core i3-12100TE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-5930K and Core i3-12100TE

Core i7-5930K

The Core i7-5930K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell-E (2014) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 10,369 points. Launch price was $613.

Core i3-12100TE

The Core i3-12100TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2022 (3 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-S (2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.25 MB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1700. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 10,432 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-5930K packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i3-12100TE offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-5930K has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-5930K versus 4 GHz on the Core i3-12100TE — a 7.8% clock advantage for the Core i3-12100TE (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The Core i7-5930K uses the Haswell-E (2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i3-12100TE uses Alder Lake-S (2022) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5930K scores 10,369 against the Core i3-12100TE's 10,432 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i3-12100TE. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,000 vs 2,100, a 71% lead for the Core i3-12100TE that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-5930K vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i3-12100TE.

Feature	Core i7-5930K	Core i3-12100TE
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4 GHz+8%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+67%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)+25%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.25 MB (per core)+400%
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Haswell-E (2014)	Alder Lake-S (2022)
PassMark	10,369	10,432
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	2,100+110%
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,000	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5930K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i3-12100TE uses LGA1700 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-5930K versus DDR5-4800 on the Core i3-12100TE — the Core i3-12100TE supports 22.2% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-12100TE supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-5930K) vs 2 (Core i3-12100TE). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-5930K) vs 20 (Core i3-12100TE) — the Core i7-5930K offers 20 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X99 (Core i7-5930K) and H610,B660,H670,Z690,Q670,W680,H770 (Core i3-12100TE).

Feature	Core i7-5930K	Core i3-12100TE
Socket	LGA2011	LGA1700
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR5-4800+25%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	40+100%	20

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-5930K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-5930K) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-12100TE). The Core i3-12100TE includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), while the Core i7-5930K requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-5930K targets High End Desktop, Core i3-12100TE targets Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i7-5930K rivals Ryzen 5 1600; Core i3-12100TE rivals Ryzen Embedded V2000.