Intel Core i7-3930K vs Intel Core i7-7820HQ Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3930K has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Core i7-7820HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads. The 3930K holds a 50% advantage in core count and a 50% advantage in thread count.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Core i7-3930K scores 6955 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 14.3% higher than the Core i7-7820HQ's 6084. This is the largest multi-core gap in the head-to-head results, with the 3930K winning all three Cinebench multi-core tests.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench single-core performance?

A: The Core i7-7820HQ scores 1215 in Geekbench single-core, which is 49.2% higher than the Core i7-3930K's 617. This is the largest single-core gap in either direction across all recorded benchmarks.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Core i7-3930K has an average benchmark score of 1960, while the Core i7-7820HQ has an average score of 1940. The 3930K sits at the 44th percentile of all CPUs, and the 7820HQ sits at the 43rd percentile.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither processor supports ECC memory. Both have ECC memory support listed as false in the database.

Q: What is the memory bus configuration for each processor?

A: The Core i7-3930K uses a quad-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s supporting DDR3. The Core i7-7820HQ uses a dual-channel memory bus supporting both DDR3 and DDR4, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-3930K and Intel Core i7-7820HQ come from different architectural generations and target different market segments. The 3930K is built on Sandy Bridge-E, Intel's 32 nm process, and is a desktop part designed for the Intel Socket 2011 platform. The 7820HQ is built on Kaby Lake-H, Intel's 14 nm process, and is a mobile part that uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket. The process node difference is substantial: 32 nm versus 14 nm, which contributes to the dramatic difference in die size. The 3930K has a die size of 435 mm² with 2,270 million transistors, while the 7820HQ has a die size of 126 mm² with transistor count not recorded.

Core and cache configurations diverge significantly. The 3930K packs 6 cores and 12 threads with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The 7820HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads with the same per-core L1 and L2 cache sizes, but its shared L3 cache is 8 MB, one-third smaller. These differences directly impact multi-threaded workloads, as the 3930K has more physical cores and more total cache to feed them.

Clock speeds tell a more nuanced story. The 3930K has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The 7820HQ has a lower base clock of 2.90 GHz but a higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz. This means the 7820HQ can reach a higher single-core turbo frequency, but the 3930K maintains a higher all-core base frequency. The multiplier on the 3930K is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while the 7820HQ has a locked multiplier.

Power and platform features also separate the two. The 3930K has a TDP of 130 W, while the 7820HQ has a TDP of 45 W, a 65% reduction in thermal design power. The 3930K supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the 7820HQ supports dual-channel DDR3 or DDR4 with no recorded bandwidth figure. PCIe lane counts differ as well: the 3930K provides 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the 7820HQ provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The 7820HQ includes integrated Intel HD Graphics 630, whereas the 3930K has no integrated graphics listed.

Release dates and market positioning are far apart. The 3930K launched in November 2011 at a launch MSRP of $583, while the 7820HQ launched in January 2017 at a launch MSRP of $378. Both are end-of-life products. The 3930K is part of the Core i7 (Sandy Bridge-E) generation, and the 7820HQ is part of the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-H) generation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data shows a clear split: the Core i7-3930K wins in six of eight benchmark comparisons, all in Cinebench tests, while the Core i7-7820HQ wins in two, both Geekbench tests. The 3930K's Cinebench victories are consistent and tightly grouped. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 3930K scores 701 against 613 for the 7820HQ, a 14.4% advantage. In R15 single-core, the 3930K scores 98 versus 86, a 14% edge. The R20 tests show the same pattern: 2921 versus 2555 in multi-core (14.3% delta) and 412 versus 360 in single-core (14.4% delta). Cinebench R23 repeats this: 6955 versus 6084 in multi-core (14.3%) and 981 versus 858 in single-core (14.3%).

These Cinebench results indicate that the 3930K's architectural advantages in core count, thread count, and larger L3 cache translate into a consistent multi-threaded lead across three generations of Cinebench workloads. The single-core Cinebench victories are more surprising given the 7820HQ's higher boost clock, but the 3930K's higher base clock and older architecture still outpace the newer part in this specific workload. The delta percentages are nearly identical across all Cinebench tests, suggesting a stable performance ratio rather than workload-specific variation.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative. In Geekbench multi-core, the 7820HQ scores 3748 against the 3930K's 2991, a 20.2% margin in favor of the mobile chip. In Geekbench single-core, the gap is far larger: 1215 versus 617, a 49.2% advantage for the 7820HQ. This single-core deficit for the 3930K is the most extreme difference in the entire head-to-head set. The Geekbench workload apparently rewards the 7820HQ's higher boost clock, newer microarchitecture, and more efficient 14 nm process, while penalizing the 3930K's older Sandy Bridge design.

The net result is that the 3930K wins the head-to-head count 6 to 2, but the average benchmark scores are nearly tied: 1960 for the 3930K versus 1940 for the 7820HQ. This near-parity in average scores, despite a wide spread in individual tests, suggests that the two processors are competitive overall but excel in different workload types. The nearest rivals in the database reinforce this picture. The 3930K's closest competitor is the Intel Xeon D-2712T at 1964 (0.2% higher), followed by the AMD Ryzen 5 2600H at 1967 (0.3% lower) and the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X at 1968 (0.4% lower). The 7820HQ's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-9850HL at 1941 (0.1% higher), with the Intel Xeon E3-1535M v5 at 1945 (0.2% higher) and the Intel Core i3-10300 at 1934 (0.3% lower).

The Verdict

The data supports a workload-based selection rather than a blanket recommendation. The Intel Core i7-3930K is the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering and compute workloads that resemble Cinebench. Its 14.3% to 14.4% lead across R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests demonstrates a consistent advantage in heavily parallel tasks, driven by its 6-core, 12-thread configuration and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. Users running CPU-bound render farms or batch processing would see measurable gains from the 3930K.

The Intel Core i7-7820HQ is the better option for single-threaded and memory-sensitive workloads that align with Geekbench. Its 49.2% single-core advantage over the 3930K is decisive, and even its multi-core Geekbench score is 20.2% higher despite having fewer cores. This suggests that the 7820HQ's newer Kaby Lake architecture and higher 3.90 GHz boost clock deliver superior per-thread performance, which benefits applications that are not perfectly parallelized.

From a platform perspective, the choice is also clear. The 3930K requires a desktop Socket 2011 motherboard with quad-channel DDR3 memory and a 130 W TDP cooling solution. The 7820HQ is a mobile BGA 1440 part with a 45 W TDP, making it suitable for laptops and compact systems. The 7820HQ also includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic display scenarios, while the 3930K has none. The 3930K's unlocked multiplier appeals to overclockers, but the 7820HQ's locked multiplier is irrelevant in its mobile context.

For a desktop workstation focused on multi-threaded throughput, the 3930K is the data-backed pick. For a mobile or power-constrained system where single-thread performance and efficiency matter more, the 7820HQ is the better fit. The average benchmark scores are too close to declare an overall winner, but the specific workload profiles point to each processor's respective strengths.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3930K | Intel Core i7-7820HQ |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 130 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Sandy Bridge-E | Kaby Lake-H |

| Generation | Core i7 (Sandy Bridge-E) | Core i7 (Kaby Lake-H) |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 2,270 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 435 mm² | 126 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 40 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD Graphics 630 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2011-11-13 | 2017-01-02 |

| Launch MSRP | $583 | $378 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SR0GWSR0KY | SR32N |