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 i7-5930K vs Core i7-9750HF 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 i7-5930K vs Core i7-9750HF: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-5930K

2014

Why buy it

✅+16.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅+25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9750HF across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.8 vs 26.3 PassMark/$ ($583 MSRP vs $395 MSRP).
❌211.1% higher power demand at 140W vs 45W.

Core i7-9750HF

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $188 less on MSRP ($395 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Delivers 47.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.3 vs 17.8 PassMark/$ ($395 MSRP vs $583 MSRP).
✅Draws 45W instead of 140W, a 95W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (5,149 vs 6,000).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9750HF better than Core i7-5930K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-9750HF is ahead with a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5930K pulls ahead with 16.5% better Geekbench multi-core. Core i7-5930K also has the bigger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5930K is the stronger fit. You are getting 16.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 25% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Core i7-9750HF is the better buy right now. Core i7-9750HF comes in $188 cheaper on MSRP at $395 MSRP versus $583 MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-5930K is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 16.5% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 47.9% better value on MSRP (26.3 vs 17.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-9750HF makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-5930K vs Core i7-9750HF Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-9750HF

The Core i7-9750HF is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 10,393 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-5930K and Core i7-9750HF share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-5930K versus 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-9750HF — a 19.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-9750HF (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-5930K uses the Haswell-E (2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-9750HF uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5930K scores 10,369 against the Core i7-9750HF's 10,393 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-9750HF. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,000 vs 1,120, a 11.3% lead for the Core i7-9750HF that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 6,000 vs 5,149 (15.3% advantage for the Core i7-5930K). L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-5930K vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-9750HF.

Feature	Core i7-5930K	Core i7-9750HF
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	4.5 GHz+22%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+35%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)+25%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell-E (2014)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	10,369	10,393
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	6,915
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	1,120+12%
Geekbench 6 Multi	6,000+17%	5,149

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5930K uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9750HF uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-5930K versus DDR4-2666 on the Core i7-9750HF — the Core i7-9750HF supports 25% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-9750HF supports up to 128 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-5930K) vs 2 (Core i7-9750HF). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-5930K) vs 16 (Core i7-9750HF) — the Core i7-5930K offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: X99 (Core i7-5930K) and HM370,QM370,CM246 (Core i7-9750HF).

Feature	Core i7-5930K	Core i7-9750HF
Socket	LGA2011	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2666+25%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	128 GB+100%
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	40+150%	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-5930K) vs Yes (Core i7-9750HF). Primary use case: Core i7-5930K targets High End Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-5930K rivals Ryzen 5 1600.

Feature	Core i7-5930K	Core i7-9750HF
Integrated GPU	No	No
IGPU Model	None	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	Yes
Target Use	High End Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-5930K was priced at $583, while the Core i7-9750HF came in at $395. On launch pricing ($583 vs $395), Core i7-9750HF was $188 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-5930K delivers 17.8 pts/$ vs 26.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-9750HF — making the Core i7-9750HF the 38.7% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-5930K	Core i7-9750HF
MSRP	$583	$395-32%
Performance per Dollar	17.8	26.3+48%
Release Date	2014	2019

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