Core i5-655K vs Core i7-3930K

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3930K and Core i5-655K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1113	2180
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	1.92	0.11
Market segment	Desktop processor	Desktop processor
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Release date	14 November 2011 (12 years ago)	30 May 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$611	no data
Current price	$190 (0.3x MSRP)	$134

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-3930K has 1645% better value for money than i5-655K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3930K and Core i5-655K basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	6 (Hexa-Core)	2 (Dual-core)
Threads	12	4
Base clock speed	3.2 GHz	3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.8 GHz	3.46 GHz
L1 cache	64 KB (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256 KB (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	12 MB (shared)	4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	32 nm
Die size	435 mm2	81 mm2
Maximum core temperature	67 °C	73 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	67 °C	no data
Number of transistors	2,270 million	382 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	Yes	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3930K and Core i5-655K compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Socket	FCLGA2011	FCLGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	73 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i5-655K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX	Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	1.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	+
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	-
Smart Response	+	no data
Demand Based Switching	-	-
PAE	no data	36 Bit
FDI	no data	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-3930K and Core i5-655K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	+
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i5-655K are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	+
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i5-655K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	64.23 GB	16.38 GB
Max memory channels	4	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	21 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	no data

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	no data	Intel® HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel® Processors
Clear Video HD	no data	+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-3930K and Core i5-655K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported

no data

2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3930K and Core i5-655K.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	40	16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Core i7-3930K outperforms Core i5-655K by 308% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	5.31	1.30
Recency	14 November 2011	30 May 2010
Physical cores	6	2
Threads	12	4
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	73 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3930K and Core i5-655K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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