Core i7-930 vs Pentium Gold 6500Y

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 i7-930 vs Pentium Gold 6500Y 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 i7-930 vs Pentium Gold 6500Y: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-930

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 130W instead of 512W, a 382W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (36 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $294 MSRP, while Pentium Gold 6500Y mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Pentium Gold 6500Y

2021

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-930 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,966 vs 2,993).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌293.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-930 better than Pentium Gold 6500Y?

Yes. Core i7-930 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.9% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-930 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.8% 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, Core i7-930 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i7-930 is the better buy right now. Core i7-930 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $294 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Pentium Gold 6500Y makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2021 vs 2010). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-930 vs Pentium Gold 6500Y Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-930

The Core i7-930 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 28 February 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.06 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,993 points. Launch price was $80.

Pentium Gold 6500Y

The Pentium Gold 6500Y is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1515. Thermal design power (TDP): 5 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 2,966 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-930 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Pentium Gold 6500Y offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-930 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-930 versus 3.4 GHz on the Pentium Gold 6500Y — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold 6500Y (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-930 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium Gold 6500Y uses Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-930 scores 2,993 against the Pentium Gold 6500Y's 2,966 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-930. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-930 vs 4 MB on the Pentium Gold 6500Y.

Feature	Core i7-930	Pentium Gold 6500Y
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.06 GHz	3.4 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+155%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	45 nm	14 nm-69%
Architecture	Bloomfield (2008−2010)	Amber Lake-Y (2018−2021)
PassMark	2,993	2,966

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-930 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold 6500Y uses FCBGA1515 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-930	Pentium Gold 6500Y
Socket	LGA1366	FCBGA1515
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	—
Max RAM Capacity	24 GB	—
RAM Channels	3	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	36	—