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Intel BX80619I73930K

Core i7-3930K

▲ 632,465 ▼

6 Cores, 12 Threads @3.2GHz, Sandy Bridge-E.
Release date: Q4 2011.

Average Bench: 74.4% (315th of 1445)

more Based on 33,172 user benchmarks.  Devices: BFEBFBFF000206D7, , 00000000BC83B000, 00000000BC80D000, 0000000000000000, 0FABFBFF000206D7, 1FABFBFF000206D7, 00000000BC80C000, 1F8BFBFF000206D7, 1789FBFF000206D7, 0F8BFBFF000206D7 Models: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3930K CPU @ 3.20GHz, Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3930K CPU @ 3.20GHz

The 3930K has an outstanding multi-core performance profile, almost as good as you can buy at any budget, which considering its relatively reasonable price tag really make it stand out from the crowd. The reason for the extraordinary multi-core benchmark scores is down to the 3930K's six cores. Having six cores effectively results in a 50% lead over quad core cpus and a 200% percent lead over dual core cpu's. Typical desktop users rarely use more than two cores simultaneously thus rendering the additional four cores largely redundant for consumer use. In terms of regular use this CPU will offer virtually no better real world performance than the leaders in my Desktop CPU Group Test. For server orientated workloads the 3930K offers both outstanding performance and superb value for money. [Jun '13 CPUPro]

Poor: 63%Average: 74.4% Great: 85%
Gaming
Gaming 74%
Battleship
Desktop
Desktop 76%
Battleship
Workstation
Workstation 64%
Destroyer

Popular builds with this CPU

Good average bench

The Intel Core i7-3930K averaged 25.6% lower than the peak scores attained by the group leaders. This isn't a great result which indicates that there are much faster alternatives on the comparison list.

Strengths

Avg. Memory Latency 85.2Pts
Avg. Quad Core Speed 344Pts

Good consistency

The range of scores (95th - 5th percentile) for the Intel Core i7-3930K is 22.3%. This is a relatively narrow range which indicates that the Intel Core i7-3930K performs reasonably consistently under varying real world conditions.

Weaknesses

Avg. Multi Core Speed 681Pts
Avg. Octa Core Speed 548Pts
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Average Bench

(Based on 33,172 samples)
Rank 31574.4%
Min Avg Max
75.5 Memory 85.2 94.7
65.4 1-Core 91.6 112
142 2-Core 182 223
69.8% 120 Pts
Min Avg Max
247 4-Core 344 432
393 8-Core 548 684
54.8% 446 Pts
Min Avg Max
563 64-Core 681 841
42.1% 681 Pts
User Benchmarks BenchNormalHeavyServer
The fastest CPU (mainstream) averages a speed of 100%
LGA2011, 1 CPU, 6 cores, 12 threads
Base clock 3.2 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
82.2% Excellent
Memory 87.6
1-Core 107
2-Core 218
78% 137 Pts
4-Core 415
8-Core 599
63% 507 Pts
64-Core 746
46% 746 Pts
LGA2011, 1 CPU, 6 cores, 12 threads
Base clock 3.2 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
73.7% Very good
Memory 80.8
1-Core 93
2-Core 184
69% 119 Pts
4-Core 358
8-Core 580
58% 469 Pts
64-Core 674
42% 674 Pts
LGA2011, 1 CPU, 6 cores, 12 threads
Base clock 3.2 GHz, turbo 3.5 GHz (avg)
72.9% Very good
Memory 78.2
1-Core 91.3
2-Core 183
68% 117 Pts
4-Core 365
8-Core 546
57% 455 Pts
64-Core 675
42% 675 Pts
SOCKET 0, 1 CPU, 6 cores, 12 threads
Base clock 3.2 GHz, turbo 3.4 GHz (avg)
68.1% Good
Memory 75.8
1-Core 70.5
2-Core 157
59% 101 Pts
4-Core 326
8-Core 538
53% 432 Pts
64-Core 657
41% 657 Pts
33,172 MORE »

 Market Share (See Leaders)

The number of benchmark samples for this model as a percentage of all 67,875,336 CPUs tested

 Prices

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MSRP ≈ $652 @ launch in Nov '11
AmazonUS $2806 mins
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Custom PC Builder (Start a new build) Build your perfect PC: compare component prices, popularity, speed and value for money

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CPU GPU SSD HDD RAM MBD
Typical Core i7-3930K Builds (Compare 1,420 builds) See popular component choices, score breakdowns and rankings
Gaming
Gaming 61%
Destroyer
Desktop
Desktop 79%
Battleship
Workstation
Workstation 53%
Yacht

Motherboard: Asus P9X79 PRO - $374

CPU
Core i7-3930KIntel  $280Bench 74%, 33,172 samples545x
GPU
GTX 1070Nvidia  $132Bench 80%, 1,459,281 samples98x
GTX 970Nvidia  $200Bench 49%, 834,238 samples85x
GTX 1060-6GBNvidia  $117Bench 56%, 1,368,019 samples84x
SSD
850 Evo 500GBSamsung  $94Bench 112%, 695,664 samples45x
860 Evo 1TBSamsung  $140Bench 112%, 602,853 samples38x
MX500 1TBCrucial  $74Bench 106%, 202,785 samples36x
RAM
HyperX DDR3 1600 C9 4x4GBKingstonBench 56%, 28,461 samples34x
Vengeance DDR3 1600 C9 4x4GBCorsairBench 53%, 20,667 samples32x
HyperX DDR3 1600 C9 8x4GBKingstonBench 86%, 505 samples20x
EDIT WITH CUSTOM PC BUILDER Value: 83% - Excellent Total price: $881

Popular Core i7-3930K compatible motherboards:

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Processor Rankings (Price vs Performance) May 2024 CPU Rankings

We calculate effective speed which measures real world performance for typical users. Effective speed is adjusted by current prices to yield a value for money rating. Our calculated values are checked against thousands of individual user ratings. The customizable table below combines these factors to bring you the definitive list of top CPUs. [CPUPro]

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Group Test Results

  • Best user rated - User sentiment trumps benchmarks for this comparison.
  • Best value for money - Value for money is based on real world performance.
  • Fastest real world speed - Real World Speed measures performance for typical consumers.

 Specifications

Essentials

DescriptionIntel® Core™ i7-3930K Processor (12M Cache, up to 3.80 GHz)
Code NameSandy Bridge E
Launch DateQ4'11
Processor Numberi7-3930K
# of Cores6
# of Threads12
Cache12 MB SmartCache
Instruction Set64-bit
Instruction Set ExtensionsSSE4.2, AVX, AES
Embedded Options AvailableNo
Lithography32 nm
VID Voltage Range0.600-1.350V
Recommended PriceN/A
Clock Speed3.2 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency3.8 GHz
Bus Speed5 GT/s DMI2
Max TDP130 W
DescriptionThis product includes VT-d support only on the C2 stepping. Stepping information can be viewed via the menu on the left.

Memory

Max Memory Size64 GB
Memory TypesDDR3 1066/1333/1600
Memory Channels4
Memory Bandwidth51.2 GB/s
ECC Memory SupportedNo

Expansion Options

PCI Express Revision2.0
Max # of PCI Express Lanes40

Data Protection

AES New InstructionsYes

Advanced Technologies

Virtualization Tech (VT-x)Yes
Intel 64Yes
Idle StatesYes
Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® TechYes
Thermal Monitoring TechnologiesYes
Turbo Boost Tech2.0
Hyper-Threading TechYes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d)Yes
VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)Yes
Demand Based SwitchingNo
vPro TechNo
Identity Protection TechYes
Smart Response TechYes

Package

Package Size52.5mm x 45.0mm
Max CPU Configuration1

Platform Protection

Execute Disable BitYes
Trusted Execution TechNo

 Comments

IND-User
Avatar level
4,786

Official site ark.intel.com/...

LGA2011 Socket

Powering Intel® Intelligent Systems...

Added 11 years ago.
USA-User
Avatar level
9,846

Terrible (edit your comment) Add link

2 months ago.

Excellent! OCs like a champ! Ran this CPU for almost 6 years and would still be using it if not for needing to RMA the mobo I was using. Will be building another machine to continue to make use of it though. It still has a lot to give.

DEU-User
Avatar level
5,747

Good

16 months ago.

bad Value vs. performance and features

POL-User
Avatar level
4,576

Excellent

8 months ago.

After 9 years it's still a good processor. Worth about 50$ in Poland in 2020.

AUS-User
Avatar level
3,966

Excellent

8 days ago.

Greatest CPU intel ever made...

Comment 

The 3930 is a incredibly durable, overclockable and versatile processor. After 3 years it's still going strong. It's a highly capable chip that is suitable for high end gaming, software development and 3d game development—Feb '16

HUN-User
Avatar level
3,405

Poor

15 months ago.

9 years old processor, and only 10% + vs Ryzen 5 3600x :D :D :D

CZE-User
Avatar level
3,346

Excellent

3 years ago.

Good for 3D rendering - 6 years in full power on watercooling - 100%

CHL-User
Avatar level
2,594

Terrible

6 years ago.

Bought it for 120$ used this year and managed to put together an 800$ 6 core build. It delivers outstanding multicore performance and I have not had a need to overclock it yet.

BEL-User
Avatar level
2,538

Good

2 years ago.

Bought this loyal processor Q1 '12, it's still going strong. Not worth going for this now, since you're paying for rarity (discontinued a good while ago), but if you happen to come across one, defo still worth using. The most taxing games and software run properly on it. It's been such a good boy for so long, I'll feel sad when I finally upgrade my core components for PCI4 M.2 compatability. Oh, I use this with a p9x79 deluxe board and low latency 2*8gb ram.

NOR-User
Avatar level
2,294

Excellent

2 years ago.

Old man geek. Still my favourite.

CPUPro
Avatar level
2,072

Excellent

10 years ago.

Review  hexus.net/...

Overclocking Guide

Image  img.hexus.net/...
CPU-Z Overclocked to 4.6 MHz

CPU-Z Overclocked to 4.6 MHz

Image  img.hexus.net/...
CPU-Z (Stock Clock)

CPU-Z (Stock Clock)

PCaddict
Avatar level
22

Excellent

5 years ago.

I Love my 3930k I had it on custom water cooling and clocked to 4.8ghz. and it did a Great job I took it off water cooling after updating the bios and it went back to stock speeds. Even at stock speeds it does a good job. I may use an AIO cooler and clock it back up a little, Maybe 4.0 or 4.2 depending on the tempters. Then give it to my Grandson for gaming and streaming he is 8 and Loves PC gaming and streaming

MazeRaze
Avatar level
14

Excellent

4 years ago.

Eden
Avatar level
4

Very good

8 years ago.

Cheers I do multi tasking, video rendering , I plan to upgrade but this chip can go to 5.2ghz its ran 4.8ghz since day one no troubles and still get faster speeds then the majority of the newer cpus. Just lucky I could a good OC chip. I couldn't get past 4.7 at first till I watercooled the mosfets.

Alster763
Avatar level
4

Excellent

5 years ago.

Served me well for years, 6 cores 12MB L3 cache. Easy to OC, performs as well as a 7700K for an 8-year-old CPU.

PsiloCybane
Avatar level
2

Excellent

6 years ago.

Love this baby. I have it up to 4.8 ghz with an AIO water cooler. I mean, this thing is flippin fast, testing above the level of a 7700k stock. I disabled HT...and man am I glad i did. 6 cores and 6 threads is MORE than enough for anything really. Pretty good considering i got this for freezies!

CoD511
Avatar level
2

Excellent

5 years ago.

My 3930k has been easily overclocked to 4.7GHz and has running well at that same clockspeed for ~5 years. Still holds up extremely well and manages a 98.8% Gaming Score compared to a standard 108% Gaming Score for an 8700k.

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CPUGPUSSD
Intel Core i5-13600K $273Nvidia RTX 4060 $280Crucial MX500 250GB $39
Intel Core i5-12400F $133Nvidia RTX 4060-Ti $385Samsung 850 Evo 120GB $80
Intel Core i5-12600K $168Nvidia RTX 4070 $490Samsung 860 Evo 250GB $52
HDDRAMUSB
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