Intel Core i7-3930K vs Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3930K, despite launching four years earlier, consistently outperforms the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 across every Cinebench benchmark recorded. The data is unambiguous: the i7-3930K wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 1.8% to 2%. While the Xeon E3-1245 v5 is the newer design, its smaller core count and reduced cache capacity leave it trailing the older six-core processor in every measured workload. The i7-3930K’s victory is narrow but absolute, making it the stronger performer in this matchup.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-3930K takes a clean sweep in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-3930K scores 701 against the Xeon’s 687, a 2% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 98 versus 96, again a 2% advantage for the i7-3930K. These are small margins, but they hold consistently across every generation of the test.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern repeats. The i7-3930K posts 2921 in multicore versus the Xeon’s 2865, a 1.9% difference. In single-core R20, the i7-3930K scores 412 against 404, another 1.9% edge. The consistency of these deltas across both single and multi-threaded tests indicates the i7-3930K’s advantage is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental performance lead.

The newest test, Cinebench R23, confirms the trend. The i7-3930K achieves 6955 in multicore, while the Xeon E3-1245 v5 manages 6822, a 1.9% gap. In single-core R23, the i7-3930K scores 981 versus 963, a 1.8% lead. Notably, the i7-3930K also has a Geekbench multithreaded score of 2991 and a single-core score of 617, which are not available for the Xeon, suggesting additional performance data points in favor of the i7-3930K.

The Xeon E3-1245 v5 never wins a single benchmark in this comparison. Its best showing is in R15 single-core, where it trails by just two points. The i7-3930K’s victory is not a blowout, but it is complete. For users prioritizing raw Cinebench rendering performance, the i7-3930K is the clear choice, albeit by a slim margin.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from radically different eras of Intel’s design philosophy. The Xeon E3-1245 v5 uses a 14 nm Skylake architecture with 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. In contrast, the i7-3930K is built on a 32 nm Sandy Bridge-E process, packing 2,270 million transistors into a much larger 435 mm² die. The Xeon’s newer process node allows for a smaller, more efficient chip, but the i7-3930K’s larger physical footprint accommodates more cores.

Core and thread counts are the most significant architectural split. The Xeon E3-1245 v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-3930K has 6 cores and 12 threads. This 50% core advantage is the primary reason the i7-3930K wins multi-threaded tests. Cache configuration follows suit: the Xeon has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the i7-3930K has 12 MB. Both chips share identical L1 and L2 cache sizes at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively.

Memory infrastructure also differs substantially. The Xeon E3-1245 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, providing 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth. The i7-3930K supports only DDR3 but uses a quad-channel memory bus, delivering 51.2 GB/s. This gives the i7-3930K a significant memory bandwidth advantage, which likely contributes to its benchmark lead. Additionally, the Xeon supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the i7-3930K.

Other key differences include PCIe lanes and integrated graphics. The Xeon provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes and includes an HD Graphics P530 iGPU, while the i7-3930K offers 40 PCIe Gen 3 lanes but has no integrated graphics. The Xeon is also multiplier-locked, whereas the i7-3930K has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking. Both are end-of-life products, with the Xeon released on 2015-10-18 and the i7-3930K on 2011-11-13.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3930K wins in every scenario where Cinebench scores matter. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration delivers higher multi-threaded performance in R15, R20, and R23, making it the better choice for rendering tasks that scale with core count. The 12 MB L3 cache and quad-channel DDR3 memory also give it an edge in memory-intensive workloads, as reflected in its 51.2 GB/s bandwidth versus the Xeon’s 34.1 GB/s. For users who rely on Cinebench as a proxy for content creation performance, the i7-3930K is the superior pick.

The Xeon E3-1245 v5 has no benchmark wins to its name, but it is not without advantages. Its 14 nm process node and 80 W TDP make it a far more power-efficient chip than the i7-3930K’s 130 W TDP. It also supports ECC memory, a feature critical for workstation reliability, and includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic setups. Its support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory provides flexibility in platform choices.

For server or workstation deployments where ECC memory and lower power consumption are priorities, the Xeon E3-1245 v5 holds appeal. However, on pure performance metrics, the i7-3930K wins every benchmark. The Xeon’s strengths lie in efficiency and reliability features, not in raw speed. Users who need maximum Cinebench performance should choose the i7-3930K, while those who value power savings and ECC support may prefer the Xeon despite its slower scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3930K has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is 2%, occurring in Cinebench R15 multicore and R15 single-core, where the i7-3930K leads by 14 points and 2 points, respectively.

Q: Does the Xeon E3-1245 v5 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E3-1245 v5 supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-3930K does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The Core i7-3930K has a higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s, compared to the Xeon E3-1245 v5’s 34.1 GB/s, due to its quad-channel memory bus.

Q: Is either processor unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Core i7-3930K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Xeon E3-1245 v5 is multiplier-locked.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E3-1245 v5 has an average benchmark score of 1973, while the Core i7-3930K scores 1960, a difference of 13 points in favor of the Xeon.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-3930K is the clear performance winner, taking all six head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks with margins between 1.8% and 2%. Its 6-core, 12-thread design, 12 MB L3 cache, and quad-channel memory provide tangible advantages over the Xeon E3-1245 v5 in every rendering workload tested. Users who prioritize Cinebench scores should select the i7-3930K without hesitation.

The Xeon E3-1245 v5, despite losing every benchmark, offers distinct advantages in other domains. Its 14 nm process node and 80 W TDP make it significantly more power-efficient than the i7-3930K’s 130 W TDP. It also supports ECC memory and includes integrated graphics, features absent from the i7-3930K. These attributes make it a viable option for server or workstation builds where reliability and efficiency trump raw speed.

The data shows a trade-off: the i7-3930K wins on performance, while the Xeon E3-1245 v5 wins on efficiency and feature set. The i7-3930K is the choice for users chasing maximum Cinebench output. The Xeon is the choice for users who need ECC support or lower power draw. There is no middle ground in the benchmarks — the i7-3930K is faster in every test, but the Xeon is not without its own justifications for purchase.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 | Intel Core i7-3930K |

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

| Cores | 4 | 6 |

| Threads | 8 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 80 W | 130 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 2011 |

| Architecture | Skylake | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 1,750 million | 2,270 million |

| Die Size | 122 mm² | 435 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3, DDR4 | DDR3 |

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

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe Lanes | 16 (Gen 3) | 40 (Gen 3) |

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics P530 | None |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $294 | $583 |

| Release Date | 2015-10-18 | 2011-11-13 |