i7-3930K vs i7-9700K

Aggregate performance score

Core i7-9700K
2018
8 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
9.10
+76%
Core i7-3930K
2011
6 cores / 12 threads, 130 Watt
5.17

Core i7-9700K outperforms Core i7-3930K by an impressive 76% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking8351193
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation7.170.49
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i7no data
Power efficiency9.073.76
Architecture codenameCoffee Lake-R (2018−2019)Sandy Bridge-E (2011−2013)
Release date19 October 2018 (6 years ago)14 November 2011 (13 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$374$611

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i7-9700K has 1363% better value for money than i7-3930K.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K 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 cores8 (Octa-Core)6 (Hexa-Core)
Threads812
Base clock speed3.6 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed4.9 GHz3.8 GHz
Bus typeDMI 3.0no data
Bus rate4 × 8 GT/s5 GT/s
Multiplier36no data
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache12 MB (shared)12 MB (shared)
Chip lithography14 nm32 nm
Die size178 mm2435 mm2
Maximum core temperature100 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)72 °C67 °C
Number of transistorsno data2,270 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility+-
Unlocked multiplier++

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K 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 configuration1 (Uniprocessor)1
SocketLGA-1151FCLGA2011
Power consumption (TDP)95 Watt130 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI++
AVX++
vPro+no data
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.02.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
TSX+-
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
SIPP+-
Smart Responseno data+
Demand Based Switchingno data-

Security technologies

Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT+-
EDB++
Secure Key+no data
MPX+-
Identity Protection++
SGXYes with Intel® MEno data
OS Guard+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K are enumerated here.

AMD-V+-
VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR4DDR3
Maximum memory size128 GB64.23 GB
Max memory channels24
Maximum memory bandwidth42.671 GB/s51.2 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel UHD Graphics 630no data
Max video memory64 GBno data
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video+no data
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.2 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

4K resolution support+no data
Max resolution over HDMI 1.44096 x 2304@24Hzno data
Max resolution over eDP4096 x 2304@60Hzno data
Max resolution over DisplayPort4096 x 2304@60Hzno data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX12no data
OpenGL4.5no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanes1640

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.

i7-9700K 9.10
+76%
i7-3930K 5.17

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-9700K 14458
+76.2%
i7-3930K 8205

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-9700K 1694
+176%
i7-3930K 614

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-9700K 7192
+141%
i7-3930K 2986

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 9.10 5.17
Recency 19 October 2018 14 November 2011
Physical cores 8 6
Threads 8 12
Chip lithography 14 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 95 Watt 130 Watt

i7-9700K has a 76% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 6 years, 33.3% more physical cores, a 128.6% more advanced lithography process, and 36.8% lower power consumption.

i7-3930K, on the other hand, has 50% more threads.

The Core i7-9700K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-3930K in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-9700K and Core i7-3930K, 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.


Intel Core i7-9700K
Core i7-9700K
Intel Core i7-3930K
Core i7-3930K

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


3.8 2156 votes

Rate Core i7-9700K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
4.3 278 votes

Rate Core i7-3930K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-9700K or Core i7-3930K, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.