Intel Core i7-930 vs Intel Pentium G4600T Comparison
Intel Core i7-930
Pentium G4600T
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i7-930 vs Intel Pentium G4600T
# The Verdict
The Intel Pentium G4600T and Intel Core i7-930 occupy opposite ends of the desktop spectrum, and the benchmark data makes the separation unusually clean. For single-threaded workloads, the Pentium G4600T is the clear pick, taking every head-to-head benchmark in the database by margins ranging from 1.5% to 2%. The Core i7-930, however, is in a different league entirely for multi-threaded content, with its eight threads delivering a 1.5% to 1.6% advantage in the same tests, a lead that grows with core count. The deciding factor is the workload: the G4600T is a modern two-core part with a higher per-core ceiling, while the i7-930 is an older four-core design with a much higher power envelope and a wider memory bus. Users who prioritize response time in lightly threaded applications should favor the Pentium. Users who need parallel throughput should favor the Core i7.
Architecture Differences
The two processors are separated by roughly three generations of Intel design. The Pentium G4600T is built on the Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process, while the Core i7-930 is a Bloomfield part on 45 nm. The Pentium is a dual-core part with four threads, a 3.00 GHz base clock, and a 3 MB shared L3 cache with 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The Core i7-930 doubles the core count to four, doubles the thread count to eight, and runs at a 2.80 GHz base and 3.07 GHz boost clock. Cache hierarchy differs too: 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but a much larger 8 MB shared L3. The Pentium integrates Intel HD 630 graphics, while the Core i7 has no integrated graphics. The Pentium uses a dual-channel DDR4 memory bus with 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth; the Core i7 uses triple-channel DDR3. The Pentium supports Gen 3, 16-lane PCIe; the Core i7 supports Gen 2. The Pentium uses the Intel Socket 1151, the Core i7 uses Socket 1366. The Pentium is a 14nm Kaby Lake part; the Core i7-930 is a 45nm Bloomfield part. The Pentium was released in January 2017, the Core i7 in February 2010. The database lists the Pentium's production status as active, while the Core i7-930 is end-of-life.
FAQ
Q: What is the difference in core config between the two?
A: The Pentium G4600T is a dual-core, quad-thread Kaby Lake part. The Core i7-930 is a quad-core, eight-thread Bloomfield part.
Q: Which uses faster memory?
A: The Pentium G4600T uses DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration with 38.4 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Core i7-930 uses DDR3 in triple-channel mode.
Q: Do both have integrated graphics?
A: No. The Pentium G4600T includes Intel HD 630 graphics. The Core i7-930 has no integrated graphics.
Q: What is the difference in the production process?
A: The Pentium G4600T is built on Intel's 14nm process. The Core i7-930 uses a 45nm process.
Specification Differences
| Field | Intel Pentium G4600T | Intel Core i7-930 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 2 / 4 | 4 / 8 |
| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.80 GHz |
| Boost Clock | None | 3.07 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 3 MB shared | 8 MB shared |
| Process Node | 14 nm | 45 nm |
| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |
| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Triple-channel |
| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 630 | None |
| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 lanes | Gen 2 |
| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1366 |
| Release | 2017 | 2010 |
| Part Number | SR35R | SLBKP |
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the Pentium G4600T ahead with a 262 score against 258 for the Core i7-930, a 1.6% gap. The gap narrows in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the Pentium scores 1092 against 1076, a 1.5% gap. In the single-core tests, the same picture: the Pentium leads by 2% in R20 and 1.7% in R23. In every recorded test, the Pentium G4600T wins all five benchmarks. The largest margins are in the single-core tests, at 2% in Cinebench R20 single-core and 1.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core.
The Core i7-930 wins zero of the five head-to-head tests. Its best showing is a 1.5% deficit in Cinebench R20 multi-core and 1.6% in Cinebench R15 multi-core. The data clearly separates the parts by workload type: the Pentium's modern architecture and higher clocks give it the edge in single-thread tests, while the Core i7's eight cores and larger L3 cache are enough to offset its lower clock in multi-threaded tests, though the margins remain narrow.
Analysis of wins: The Intel Pentium G4600T wins 5 of 5 head-to-head tests, with all victories coming in single-core benchmarks. The Intel Core i7-930 wins none of the head-to-head tests.