CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i7-930 and Intel Core i3-5157U are two processors from different eras and market segments, yet the benchmark data reveals a surprisingly consistent performance hierarchy. The i7-930, a desktop part from the Nehalem generation, outperforms the mobile Broadwell-based i3-5157U across every single shared benchmark, with a victory margin hovering around 16% in each test. The data shows a clear, if narrow, overall performance advantage for the older desktop chip, despite the i3’s significant architectural and process technology lead.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably uniform, with the Intel Core i7-930 winning all five shared Cinebench tests. The largest delta is a 16.3% advantage in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i7-930 scores 1076 against the i3-5157U’s 925. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with the i7-930 posting 2563 versus 2203, a 16.3% lead. The i7-930 also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 16.2%, scoring 258 to the i3-5157U’s 222.

Single-core performance tells the same story. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-930 scores 151, which is 16.2% higher than the i3-5157U’s 130. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a 16.1% gap, with the i7-930 at 361 and the i3-5157U at 311. These consistent deltas suggest that the i7-930’s advantage is not workload-dependent; it simply delivers more compute throughput in every Cinebench scenario tested.

Notably, the i3-5157U has additional Geekbench scores in its benchmark list, but the head-to-head table contains no Geekbench entries. Therefore, no direct comparison can be made for that suite. The Cinebench results are the only shared metrics, and they uniformly favor the i7-930. The win tally is 5-0 in favor of the Intel Core i7-930, with zero wins for the i3-5157U.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures and process nodes. The Intel Core i7-930 uses the Nehalem architecture, codenamed Bloomfield, fabricated on a 45 nm process. It contains 731 million transistors on a 263 mm² die. In contrast, the Intel Core i3-5157U uses the Broadwell architecture, codenamed Broadwell-U, on a much more advanced 14 nm process. The i3-5157U packs 1,900 million transistors but on a smaller 133 mm² die. This is a significant generational leap in manufacturing, allowing the i3 to pack more transistors in less space.

Core configuration differs starkly. The i7-930 has 4 physical cores and 8 threads, while the i3-5157U has 2 physical cores and 4 threads. The i7-930’s thread count advantage is a key reason for its multi-core wins, as it can process double the concurrent threads. The i3-5157U compensates with a smaller process node and higher transistor density, but the raw core count disparity is decisive in these benchmarks.

Cache hierarchies also vary. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. However, the i7-930 has an 8 MB shared L3 cache, while the i3-5157U has only 3 MB shared L3. The larger L3 cache on the i7-930 likely contributes to its performance edge, providing more room for frequently accessed data. Clock speeds further differentiate them: the i7-930 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.07 GHz, whereas the i3-5157U has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and no boost clock listed.

Memory support and platform features also differ. The i7-930 supports DDR3 memory with a triple-channel bus, while the i3-5157U uses DDR3 with a dual-channel bus. The i3-5157U has a listed memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i7-930’s memory bandwidth is not provided. The i3-5157U includes integrated Intel Iris 6100 graphics, whereas the i7-930 has no integrated graphics. The i3-5157U also lists PCIe Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-930 lists PCIe Gen 2 without lane specifics. The i7-930 uses the Intel Socket 1366, while the i3-5157U uses Intel BGA 1168.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-930 is the faster processor in every measured Cinebench workload. It wins by a consistent margin of approximately 16% across multi-core and single-core tests. For any user prioritizing raw compute performance in Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the i7-930 is the clear choice. Its 4-core/8-thread configuration and larger L3 cache give it a structural advantage that the i3-5157U’s newer process node cannot overcome in these tests.

The i3-5157U, however, is not without its merits. It is a mobile part with a 28 W TDP, compared to the i7-930’s 130 W TDP. This makes the i3-5157U far more suitable for power-constrained environments, such as laptops. It also includes integrated graphics, which the i7-930 lacks entirely. For a system that requires on-chip display output and low power draw, the i3-5157U is the only viable option here, despite its lower benchmark scores. The i7-930 also carries a higher launch MSRP of $315 for the i3-5157U, but the i7-930’s launch MSRP is not listed.

The data shows both processors sit at the 23rd percentile versus all CPUs, indicating they are comparable in overall standing, despite the i7-930’s head-to-head wins. The average benchmark scores are also close: 882 for the i7-930 and 877 for the i3-5157U. The i7-930’s nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon Silver 7120U and AMD Phenom II X6 1035T, both with a 0.1% delta, while the i3-5157U’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 2300U with a -0.3% delta. This suggests that in a broader context, the two processors are nearly equivalent in overall performance, but the specific Cinebench tests favor the i7-930.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification category. The i7-930 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i3-5157U has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.80 GHz for the i7-930 and 2.50 GHz for the i3-5157U; the i7-930 adds a 3.07 GHz boost clock, while the i3-5157U has none. TDP is a major difference: 130 W for the i7-930 versus 28 W for the i3-5157U. Sockets are incompatible, with the i7-930 using Intel Socket 1366 and the i3-5157U using Intel BGA 1168.

Architecture and process node differ as well: the i7-930 is Nehalem on 45 nm, while the i3-5157U is Broadwell on 14 nm. Transistor counts are 731 million versus 1,900 million, and die sizes are 263 mm² versus 133 mm². L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the i7-930 versus 3 MB shared on the i3-5157U. Memory buses are triple-channel for the i7-930 and dual-channel for the i3-5157U. The i3-5157U lists a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i7-930 does not. Integrated graphics are absent on the i7-930 but present as Intel Iris 6100 on the i3-5157U. Release dates are 2010 for the i7-930 and 2015 for the i3-5157U. The i3-5157U has a launch MSRP of $315.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-930 wins all multi-core tests. It scores 258 vs 222 in Cinebench R15, 1076 vs 925 in R20, and 2563 vs 2203 in R23, with deltas of 16.2%, 16.3%, and 16.3% respectively.

Q: Does the i3-5157U win any shared benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows 5 wins for the i7-930 and 0 wins for the i3-5157U across all shared Cinebench tests.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-930 scores 151 to the i3-5157U’s 130, a 16.2% lead. In R23 single-core, the i7-930 scores 361 to 311, a 16.1% lead.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: The i7-930 has a TDP of 130 W, while the i3-5157U has a TDP of 28 W. The i3-5157U draws significantly less power.

Q: Do both processors support integrated graphics?

A: No. The i3-5157U includes Intel Iris 6100 integrated graphics, while the i7-930 has no integrated graphics listed.

Q: Are their overall benchmark percentiles similar?

A: Yes. Both processors sit at the 23rd percentile versus all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are also close: 882 for the i7-930 and 877 for the i3-5157U.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-930 is the winner for compute-heavy workloads that rely on multi-threading and higher clock speeds. Its 4-core/8-thread design and 8 MB L3 cache deliver a 16.3% advantage in Cinebench R20 multi-core and a 16.3% edge in R23 multi-core. It also wins single-core tests, making it the better choice for any application that mirrors Cinebench’s rendering engine. The i7-930’s triple-channel memory bus further supports memory-intensive tasks, though memory bandwidth numbers are not provided for it. This processor is suited for desktop systems where high power draw is acceptable and where a dedicated GPU is present, given the lack of integrated graphics.

The Intel Core i3-5157U wins in scenarios requiring mobility and energy efficiency. Its 28 W TDP is a fraction of the i7-930’s 130 W, making it the only viable option for battery-powered devices. It also includes integrated Intel Iris 6100 graphics, allowing for a complete system without a discrete GPU. The i3-5157U’s smaller 133 mm² die and 14 nm process make it a more modern part, though the benchmark data shows this does not translate to a performance win in Cinebench. The i3-5157U’s dual-channel memory bus with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth provides a listed memory throughput figure that the i7-930 lacks. For a compact, low-power system with integrated display output, the i3-5157U is the clear choice, despite losing every performance benchmark.