M1 vs Core i7-3930K

CPU

GPU

M1

8 Cores8 Thrd−WMax: 3.2 GHz2020

Core i7-3930K

6 Cores12 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2011

Performance Spectrum - CPU

8 / 8

8,207

0.0%

Core i7-3930K

6 / 12

8,204

0.0%

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. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The M1 is positioned at rank 1004 and the Core i7-3930K is on rank 917, so the Core i7-3930K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

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

Performance Per Dollar M1

#992

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2145%

#993

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2113%

#994

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1940%

#995

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1931%

#996

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1914%

#998

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1848%

#999

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1772%

#1000

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1769%

#1001

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1721%

#1004

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#1005

Pentium P6000

MSRP: $150|Avg: $90

100%

#1007

Core i7-3630QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

99%

#1008

Core i7-3610QM

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

99%

#1009

Core i3-1115GRE

MSRP: $338|Avg: $480

99%

#1010

Pentium A1020

MSRP: $86|Avg: $86

99%

#1011

Core i7-4702MQ

MSRP: $383|Avg: $50

99%

#1012

Pentium N4200

MSRP: $161|Avg: $30.89

98%

#1013

Pentium J2900

MSRP: $94|Avg: $20

98%

#1014

Celeron T1700

MSRP: $80|Avg: $5

97%

#1015

Celeron T3500

MSRP: $80|Avg: $10

96%

#1016

A12-9720P

MSRP: $200|Avg: $25

96%

#1017

Core i5-4300M

MSRP: $227|Avg: N/A

95%

#1018

Celeron 1005M

MSRP: $86|Avg: N/A

95%

#1019

Athlon 64 X2 TK-42

MSRP: $60|Avg: $10

94%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3930K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

22155%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

20934%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

15200%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

4579%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

3627%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

3173%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1817%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1794%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1633%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1633%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1615%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1571%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

1549%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

1543%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

1529%

#302

Core i7-6900K

MSRP: $1089|Avg: $1089

96%

#395

Ryzen Threadripper 3970X

MSRP: $4491|Avg: $4491

100%

#917

Core i7-3930K

MSRP: $583|Avg: $150

100%

#919

Core i7-4930K

MSRP: $670|Avg: $100

100%

#920

Sempron LE-1250

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $20

100%

#921

Pentium E6500

MSRP: $84|Avg: $10

99%

#922

Core i5-2500

MSRP: $294|Avg: $69

99%

#923

Athlon II X4 605e

MSRP: $143|Avg: $25

98%

#925

Athlon II X4 610e

MSRP: $143|Avg: $20

97%

#926

Core i5-2390T

MSRP: $182|Avg: $182

97%

#927

Phenom II X4 910e

MSRP: $157|Avg: $69

97%

#928

FX-8100

MSRP: $300|Avg: $50

97%

#930

Celeron E1400

MSRP: $53|Avg: $63

96%

#932

Pentium E6800

MSRP: $86|Avg: $10

95%

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 M1 (2020) utilizes 5 nm technology and modern memory, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	M1	Core i7-3930K
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($150)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Legacy / 5 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) / 32 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-3930K (2011) relies on 32 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	M1	Core i7-3930K
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($0)	⚠️ Higher cost ($150)

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.

M1 Benchmark Check

Core i7-3930K Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of M1 and Core i7-3930K

M1

The M1 is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 10 November 2020 (5 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.064 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB. L2 cache: 16 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Passmark benchmark score: 8,207 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-3930K

The Core i7-3930K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 November 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 8,204 points. Launch price was $611.

⚡

Processing Power

The M1 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-3930K offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the M1 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the M1 versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-3930K — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-3930K (base: 2.064 GHz vs 3.2 GHz). The Core i7-3930K is built on the Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the M1 scores 8,207 against the Core i7-3930K's 8,204 — a 0% lead for the M1. L3 cache: 16 MB on the M1 vs 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-3930K.

Feature	M1	Core i7-3930K
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+33%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.8 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.064 GHz	3.2 GHz+55%
L3 Cache	16 MB+33%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	16 MB+6300%	256 kB (per core)
Process	5 nm-84%	32 nm
Architecture	—	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
PassMark	8,207	8,204
Geekbench 6 Single	—	731

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (M1) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-3930K). Primary use case: Core i7-3930K targets HEDT Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i7-3930K rivals FX-8350.