Intel Core i7-3930K vs Intel Core i7-7920HQ Comparison

The Verdict

The data splits this comparison cleanly along workload lines. The Intel Core i7-3930K wins six of the eight recorded head-to-head benchmarks, taking every Cinebench test by a margin of roughly 11.5% to 11.7%. The Intel Core i7-7920HQ, despite being a mobile part from a much newer generation, counters with a decisive victory in both Geekbench tests: 33.7% ahead in multi-core and a massive 105.3% ahead in single-core.

For users whose work leans on heavily threaded rendering tasks, the 3930K is the clear choice. Its six cores and twelve threads produce consistently higher Cinebench scores across all three versions of the test. The 7920HQ, however, is the better pick for applications that respond to per-thread performance and modern instruction efficiency, as evidenced by the Geekbench results. The desktop chip’s older architecture appears to hold it back in single-threaded workloads despite its higher base clock.

The average benchmark scores tell a narrower story. The 7920HQ records an average of 1992 points, while the 3930K sits at 1960. The database places both processors at the 44th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy essentially the same tier in the overall performance distribution. The nearest rivals for each confirm this: the 7920HQ trades blows with the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X and Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4, while the 3930K sits alongside the Intel Xeon D-2712T and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE.

The practical verdict is situational. If multi-threaded Cinebench-class rendering dominates the workload, the 3930K offers a consistent advantage. If the workload is mixed or leans on single-threaded responsiveness and modern platform features, the 7920HQ is the safer choice, particularly given its far superior Geekbench single-core showing.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different eras and design philosophies. The 7920HQ uses Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process, while the 3930K uses Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm process. The die size difference is stark: the 3930K measures 435 mm² with 2,270 million transistors, versus 126 mm² for the 7920HQ. This reflects the desktop chip’s older, larger design and the mobile chip’s denser modern fabrication.

Core counts diverge significantly. The 3930K packs six cores and twelve threads, while the 7920HQ has four cores and eight threads. The 3930K has a higher base clock at 3.20 GHz versus 3.10 GHz, but the 7920HQ boosts higher at 4.10 GHz versus 3.80 GHz. Cache configuration also favors the 3930K with 12 MB shared L3, while the 7920HQ has 8 MB shared L3. Both chips use 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Platform support differs substantially. The 3930K uses Intel Socket 2011 with quad-channel DDR3 memory and a rated memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The 7920HQ uses Intel BGA 1440 with dual-channel DDR3 or DDR4 memory. PCIe connectivity favors the desktop chip with 40 Gen 3 lanes, while the mobile chip has 16 Gen 3 lanes. The 3930K has no integrated graphics, while the 7920HQ includes Intel HD Graphics 630.

Power requirements highlight the mobility focus of the 7920HQ. The mobile chip has a 45 W TDP, while the desktop 3930K draws 130 W. The 3930K features an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, whereas the 7920HQ is locked. Release dates underscore the generational gap: the 3930K launched in November 2011, the 7920HQ in January 2017.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite is entirely owned by the 3930K. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 3930K scores 701 against 619 for the 7920HQ, a delta of 11.7%. The single-core R15 test shows 98 versus 87, an 11.2% gap. Cinebench R20 repeats the pattern: 2921 versus 2583 in multi-core (11.6% delta) and 412 versus 364 in single-core (11.7% delta). Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers 6955 versus 6151 (11.6% delta), while single-core lands at 981 versus 868 (11.5% delta).

The consistency of these margins is notable. Across six Cinebench tests, the 3930K holds a narrow but stable advantage of roughly 11% to 12%. This suggests a fundamental throughput advantage from its two extra cores and four extra threads, which outweighs any architectural benefits the newer 7920HQ might bring to rendering workloads.

Geekbench flips the script entirely. In multi-core, the 7920HQ scores 3999 against 2991 for the 3930K, a 33.7% advantage. Single-core is even more lopsided: 1267 versus 617, a 105.3% gap. The 7920HQ more than doubles the 3930K in Geekbench single-core performance. This is a dramatic reversal from the Cinebench results and points to fundamental differences in how the two benchmarks treat the chips.

The Geekbench single-core result is particularly telling. The 3930K’s Sandy Bridge architecture appears to struggle with the benchmark’s workload, scoring less than half of the Kaby Lake chip. The 7920HQ’s higher boost clock and newer instruction set likely contribute heavily to this outcome. The multi-core Geekbench result shows the 7920HQ overcoming its two-core deficit through architectural efficiency.

Overall, the 3930K wins six head-to-head tests, while the 7920HQ takes two. But the magnitude of the 7920HQ’s wins, especially the 105.3% single-core blowout, carries outsized weight for certain workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor performs better in Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-3930K wins all six Cinebench tests in the database. Its advantage ranges from 11.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core to 11.7% in Cinebench R15 multi-core and Cinebench R20 single-core.

Q: Why does the 7920HQ win Geekbench so decisively despite having fewer cores?

A: The 7920HQ records a 105.3% advantage in Geekbench single-core and a 33.7% advantage in multi-core. Its newer Kaby Lake architecture, higher 4.10 GHz boost clock, and smaller 14 nm process appear to deliver superior per-thread performance compared to the 32 nm Sandy Bridge design of the 3930K.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference between the two chips?

A: The 3930K supports quad-channel DDR3 memory with a rated bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The 7920HQ supports dual-channel DDR3 or DDR4 memory. The database does not list a memory bandwidth figure for the 7920HQ.

Q: Which chip has more PCIe lanes?

A: The 3930K provides 40 Gen 3 PCIe lanes from the CPU, while the 7920HQ provides 16 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The 7920HQ averages 1992 points, while the 3930K averages 1960 points. Both sit at the 44th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: Is either processor still in production?

A: Both processors are listed as end-of-life in the database. The 3930K launched in November 2011, and the 7920HQ launched in January 2017.

Where Each One Wins

The 3930K dominates rendering and multi-threaded compute workloads. Every Cinebench iteration in the database, from R15 through R23, shows the desktop chip ahead by roughly 11% to 12%. This consistency makes it the reliable choice for video rendering, 3D animation, and other tasks that scale with core count and sustained throughput. Its six cores and twelve threads, combined with 12 MB of shared L3 cache and quad-channel memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, provide a solid foundation for heavily parallel workloads. The unlocked multiplier also offers overclocking headroom for users willing to push beyond stock settings, though the database does not quantify potential gains.

The 7920HQ wins in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance. Its 105.3% advantage in Geekbench single-core is the largest margin in the entire head-to-head comparison. This suggests it is far better suited for applications that prioritize per-thread responsiveness, such as everyday desktop tasks, office productivity, and lightly threaded software. The 33.7% multi-core Geekbench win also indicates that its architectural efficiency can overcome a two-core deficit in some multi-threaded scenarios. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 provides a display output option that the 3930K lacks entirely, making the 7920HQ a more self-contained platform for mobile or compact systems.

For users building a desktop workstation focused on rendering, the data points squarely to the 3930K. For users needing a mobile processor or working with single-thread-bound applications, the 7920HQ is the stronger option. The 44th percentile ranking for both chips confirms they are mid-pack performers by modern standards, but the nature of the workload determines which one delivers better results. The 7920HQ’s launch MSRP was $568, while the 3930K’s launch MSRP was $583, though the database provides no further pricing analysis.