Intel Core i7-1180G7 vs Intel Core i7-3930K Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Core i7-3930K wins every single recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Core i7-1180G7. Across six Cinebench workloads, the 3930K leads by margins ranging from 4.1% to 4.3%. The 1180G7, despite being a much newer design with a smaller process node, never once surpasses its older desktop counterpart in these specific measurements.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded rendering performance, the 3930K is the clear choice. Its six cores and twelve threads deliver a 4.2% advantage in Cinebench R20 multicore (2921 vs 2802) and a 4.2% edge in R23 multicore (6955 vs 6672). The 1180G7, with four cores and eight threads, simply cannot close the gap in heavily threaded workloads.

However, the verdict is not about choosing one for all scenarios. The 1180G7 targets an entirely different market segment: mobile. With a 9 watt TDP versus the 3930K's 130 watts, the 1180G7 is engineered for battery-powered devices where power consumption is the dominant constraint. The 3930K, a desktop part with a 130 watt TDP, requires a substantial cooling solution and a power supply that the mobile chip never needs. The data shows that if you need a processor for a thin-and-light laptop, the 1180G7 exists in a different performance envelope, but the 3930K's benchmark supremacy is undeniable within the measured tests.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is vast, spanning nearly a decade of Intel design philosophy. The 3930K, released in November 2011, uses the Sandy Bridge architecture on the Sandy Bridge-E platform. It is built on a 32 nm process node with 2,270 million transistors crammed into a 435 mm² die. The 1180G7, released in March 2021, uses the Tiger Lake architecture with Willow Cove cores, built on a 10 nm process with a much smaller 144 mm² die.

Core counts differ significantly: the 3930K has six cores and twelve threads, while the 1180G7 has four cores and eight threads. Cache configurations also diverge. The 3930K features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The 1180G7 has larger per-core caches: 80 KB of L1 and 1.25 MB of L2 per core, with the same 12 MB of shared L3. This means the newer chip has substantially more L2 cache per core, which could help with certain workloads, but the benchmark results do not reflect a practical advantage in the tested scenarios.

Memory support is another major difference. The 3930K uses DDR3 memory with a quad-channel bus, delivering a theoretical memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The 1180G7 uses LPDDR4X with a dual-channel bus, offering 34.1 GB/s. The 3930K's higher memory bandwidth likely contributes to its multicore benchmark wins, as heavily threaded Cinebench workloads can saturate memory channels. The 1180G7 compensates with PCIe Gen 4 support (4 lanes), while the 3930K has PCIe Gen 3 with 40 lanes. The 3930K also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the 1180G7 is locked. Integrated graphics are present only on the 1180G7 (Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU); the 3930K has none.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The 3930K records an average benchmark score of 1960, while the 1180G7 scores 1930. The 3930K also sits at the 44th percentile of all CPUs, slightly above the 1180G7's 43rd percentile.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two in any test?

A: In Cinebench R15 single-core and multicore, plus Cinebench R20 single-core, the 3930K leads by 4.3% in each case. The smallest gap is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the 3930K wins by 4.1%.

Q: Does the 1180G7 ever win a benchmark?

A: No. In all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, the 3930K is the winner. The wins tally is 6 for the 3930K and 0 for the 1180G7.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The 3930K has a 130 watt TDP, while the 1180G7 has a 9 watt TDP. This is a massive difference in power consumption, reflecting their desktop versus mobile design targets.

Q: Which CPU has more PCIe lanes?

A: The 3930K provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), whereas the 1180G7 provides 4 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The 3930K offers far more expansion capability.

Q: Are both processors discontinued?

A: Yes, both are listed as end-of-life in production status. The 3930K's launch MSRP was $583, and the 1180G7's launch MSRP was $426.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications reveal a stark contrast in design philosophy and target platform.

| Field | Intel Core i7-3930K | Intel Core i7-1180G7 |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1300.00 MHz (1.30 GHz) |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 130 W | 9 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011 | Intel BGA 1598 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Tiger Lake |

| Codename | Sandy Bridge-E | Tiger Lake-U |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 10 nm |

| Transistors | 2,270 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 435 mm² | 144 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | LPDDR4X |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 4 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR0GWSR0KY | SRK0D |

The base clock difference is particularly striking: the 3930K runs at 3.20 GHz, while the 1180G7 idles at 1.30 GHz. But the 1180G7 has a much higher boost clock at 4.60 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. This suggests the newer chip relies on aggressive boosting to deliver performance when needed, then drops to very low clocks to save power. The 3930K, with its high base clock and 130 watt TDP, maintains consistent performance without such dramatic clock swings.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six recorded head-to-head tests show a consistent, narrow margin of victory for the 3930K. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 3930K scores 701 against the 1180G7's 672, a 4.3% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the same 4.3% delta, with scores of 98 and 94 respectively. This is notable because single-core performance is often where newer architectures excel due to IPC improvements. Yet the 1180G7, despite its much higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz, cannot overcome the 3930K's older but higher-base-clock design in this test.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. Multicore results show 2921 for the 3930K versus 2802 for the 1180G7, a 4.2% gap. Single-core R20 scores are 412 and 395, again a 4.3% difference. In Cinebench R23, the 3930K posts 6955 in multicore against 6672, a 4.2% lead. The single-core R23 test shows 981 versus 942, a 4.1% margin.

The narrowness of these margins is worth interpreting. The 3930K wins every test, but by a small margin, never exceeding 4.3%. This indicates that the 1180G7's newer architecture and higher boost clock largely compensate for its lower core count and thread count in single-threaded tests, but the 3930K's six physical cores provide a consistent edge in multi-threaded workloads. The 1180G7's dual-channel memory and lower bandwidth (34.1 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s) may also hold it back in memory-sensitive rendering tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The 3930K wins all six recorded benchmarks, so the data-driven answer is straightforward: it wins everywhere in Cinebench. Its strengths lie in multi-threaded rendering, where its six cores and twelve threads, combined with quad-channel memory bandwidth, deliver a 4.2% to 4.3% advantage across R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. It also wins single-core tests by similar margins, despite the 1180G7's higher boost clock. For desktop users with access to a 130 watt cooling solution and a Socket 2011 motherboard, the 3930K is the superior choice in every measured metric.

The 1180G7, however, wins in scenarios the benchmarks do not capture. Its 9 watt TDP makes it suitable for fanless or passively cooled mobile devices, where the 3930K's 130 watt TDP is impossible to accommodate. The 1180G7 includes integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 96EU, which the 3930K lacks entirely, meaning the mobile chip can drive a display without a discrete GPU. Its PCIe Gen 4 support, while limited to 4 lanes, offers newer connectivity standards. The 1180G7 also has a much smaller die size (144 mm² versus 435 mm²), reflecting its efficiency focus.

In practical terms, the 3930K is for a desktop workstation where performance and expansion (40 PCIe lanes) matter more than power draw. The 1180G7 is for an ultra-portable laptop where battery life and low heat output are paramount. The benchmark data shows the 3930K is faster in rendering, but the 1180G7's design goals prioritize a different class of device entirely. Neither CPU can substitute for the other in its respective platform.