Core i7-930 vs Pentium Silver N6000

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 Silver N6000 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 Silver N6000: 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: +10.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅350% more PCIe lanes (36 vs 8) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $294 MSRP, while Pentium Silver N6000 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌2066.7% higher power demand at 130W vs 6W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Pentium Silver N6000 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Pentium Silver N6000

2021

Why buy it

✅Draws 6W instead of 130W, a 124W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics (32 EU), while Core i7-930 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-930 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (2,989 vs 2,993).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-930 better than Pentium Silver N6000?

Yes. Core i7-930 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% 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 10.6% 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 0.1% 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 $294 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 Silver N6000 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 Silver N6000 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 Silver N6000

The Pentium Silver N6000 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Jasper Lake (2021) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 1.5 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1338. Thermal design power (TDP): 6 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 2,989 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-930 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Pentium Silver N6000's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.06 GHz on the Core i7-930 versus 3.3 GHz on the Pentium Silver N6000 — a 7.5% clock advantage for the Pentium Silver N6000 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.1 GHz). The Core i7-930 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Pentium Silver N6000 uses Jasper Lake (2021) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-930 scores 2,993 against the Pentium Silver N6000's 2,989 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-930. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-930 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Silver N6000.

Feature	Core i7-930	Pentium Silver N6000
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.06 GHz	3.3 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+155%	1.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1.5 MB (total)+500%
Process	45 nm	10 nm-78%
Architecture	Bloomfield (2008−2010)	Jasper Lake (2021)
PassMark	2,993	2,989
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	1,911
Geekbench 6 Single	—	473
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	1,090

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-930 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Silver N6000 uses BGA1338 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1066 on the Core i7-930 versus DDR4-2933 on the Pentium Silver N6000 — the Pentium Silver N6000 supports 175.1% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-930 supports up to 24 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 50% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 3 (Core i7-930) vs 2 (Pentium Silver N6000). PCIe lanes: 36 (Core i7-930) vs 8 (Pentium Silver N6000) — the Core i7-930 offers 28 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-930	Pentium Silver N6000
Socket	LGA1366	BGA1338
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 4.0+100%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1066	DDR4-2933+175%
Max RAM Capacity	24 GB+50%	16 GB
RAM Channels	3+50%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	36+350%	8

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-930) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Pentium Silver N6000). The Pentium Silver N6000 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics (32 EU)), while the Core i7-930 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-930 targets Desktop, Pentium Silver N6000 targets Budget. Direct competitor: Pentium Silver N6000 rivals Celeron N5105.