Core i7-5820K

The Core i7-5820K is a 6-core / 12-thread processor based on the Haswell-E (2014) architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process node. It reaches a maximum boost clock of 3.6 GHz from a base frequency of 3.3 GHz— higher boost clocks directly translate to better single-threaded performance and responsiveness in gaming. It carries 15 MB (total) of L3 cache, plus 256 kB (per core) of L2 cache and 64 kB (per core) of L1 cache per core. In the PassMark benchmark (a comprehensive multi-threaded test), it scores 9,826, placing it in the Budget performance tier as a Legacy generation product. Geekbench 6 single-core (the most relevant metric for gaming FPS) records 1,134, while multi-core reaches 5,383. Cinebench R23 multi-core (measuring sustained rendering workload performance) scores 5,700.

The Core i7-5820K fits into the LGA2011 socket and supports PCIe 3.0 with 28 total PCIe lanes for expansion cards and storage. It supports DDR4 memory at speeds up to DDR4-2133 (faster RAM improves bandwidth-sensitive workloads), with a maximum capacity of 64 GB across 4 channels (dual-channel doubles bandwidth).

The Core i7-5820K is primarily designed for Enthusiast Workstation. It features an unlocked multiplier, allowing enthusiasts to overclock beyond stock frequencies for additional performance. Virtualization: Yes — enables running virtual machines efficiently (important for development and server workloads). Its primary market competitor is the Ryzen 5 1600.

The Core i7-5820K has a rated TDP (Thermal Design Power) of 140 Watt — this indicates the amount of heat generated under sustained load and determines what cooling solution is needed. No stock cooler is included — you will need to purchase an aftermarket cooler separately. Recommended cooling: true.

At an average price of $103 (MSRP: $389), the Core i7-5820K delivers 95 PassMark points per dollar. Performance ranking position: #1317 out of all indexed processors.