Xeon W3550 vs i7-3930K

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-3930K and Xeon W3550 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking	1195	1902
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	0.53	0.68
Market segment	Desktop processor	Server
Power efficiency	3.76	1.48
Architecture codename	Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)	Bloomfield (2008−2010)
Release date	14 November 2011 (13 years ago)	9 August 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$611	$235

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Xeon W3550 has 28% better value for money than i7-3930K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-3930K and Xeon W3550 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)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	12	8
Base clock speed	3.2 GHz	3.06 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.8 GHz	3.33 GHz
Bus rate	5 GT/s	no data
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)	8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm
Die size	435 mm2	263 mm2
Maximum core temperature	no data	68 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	67 °C	no data
Number of transistors	2,270 million	731 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	+	-

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-3930K and Xeon W3550 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	FCLGA1366
Power consumption (TDP)	130 Watt	130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-3930K and Xeon W3550. 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	+	-
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

Security technologies

Core i7-3930K and Xeon W3550 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	-	+
EDB	+	+
Identity Protection	+	-

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-3930K and Xeon W3550 are enumerated here.

VT-d	+	no data
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-3930K and Xeon W3550. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	64.23 GB	24 GB
Max memory channels	4	3
Maximum memory bandwidth	51.2 GB/s	25.6 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	+

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card

no data

N/A

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-3930K and Xeon W3550.

PCIe version	2.0	2.0
PCI Express lanes	40	no data

Synthetic benchmark performance

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

---

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.

---

Pros & cons summary

---

Performance score	5.16	2.03
Recency	14 November 2011	9 August 2009
Physical cores	6	4
Threads	12	8
Chip lithography	32 nm	45 nm

---

Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-3930K and Xeon W3550, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.

---