CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-930 vs Intel Core i7-975
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. Released in February 2010, the Intel Core i7-930 was a natural evolution of the highly successful i7-920. As a 45nm Bloomfield processor, it retained the four-core, eight-thread design and 8MB of L3 cache. The primary improvement was a slight bump in base frequency to 2.8GHz and a turbo boost to 3.06GHz. This minor clock speed increase provided a small but noticeable performance uplift out of the box. Like its predecessor, it dropped into the LGA 1366 socket and supported triple-channel DDR3 memory. While it wasn't a radical departure from the 920, it became the default choice for new LGA 1366 builders. It maintained the legendary overclocking capability of the Bloomfield platform, allowing enthusiasts to push well beyond 4GHz. The i7-930 served as a reliable workhorse for gaming and content creation during a transitional period before Sandy Bridge.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
8 threads help, but low IPC limits modern productivity.
8 threads help, but low IPC limits modern apps.
Gaming
Bottlenecks modern GPUs but handles 2010-era games perfectly.
Best single-core of the Bloomfields, but still bottlenecks modern games.
Virtualization
Good for basic VMs and legacy server setups.
Good for basic VMs and legacy server setups.
Efficiency
130W TDP is highly inefficient for a quad-core.
130W TDP is highly inefficient, though slightly better than 965.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Incompatible with modern AI workloads
- Incompatible with modern AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Low IPC
- No AVX2
- Bottlenecks modern titles
- Low IPC
- No AVX2
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Good overclocking headroom (D0 stepping)
- Affordable at launch
- Hyper-Threading for 8 threads
- Triple-channel memory support
- Reliable workhorse for its era
Cons
- High 130W TDP
- Locked CPU multiplier
- Obsolete platform
- Lacks modern instruction sets
- Poor single-core performance today
Pros
- Highest stock clocks for Bloomfield
- Fully unlocked multiplier
- Improved D0 stepping for better thermals
- Hyper-Threading for 8 threads
- Triple-channel memory support
Cons
- Extremely high launch price ($999)
- High 130W TDP
- Obsolete platform
- Lacks modern instruction sets
- Poor value today
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-930
- AMD Phenom II X4 965Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-920Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-750Rival
Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X6 1055TRival
Desktop
- Intel Core i7-860Rival
Desktop
- Intel Xeon W3530Alt
Server equivalent often available for less.
Slightly higher stock clocks for similar used prices.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
A modern budget CPU that vastly outperforms it.
A modern quad-core that obliterates it.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-975
- RivalCompare head-to-head
- AMD Phenom II X4 965Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-960Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770Rival
HEDT
- AMD Phenom II X6 1090TRival
Desktop
- Intel Xeon W3580Alt
Server equivalent often available for less.
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
A modern budget CPU that vastly outperforms it.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
A modern budget CPU that obliterates it.
Our Verdict on Each
A solid incremental update to the 920. It offered great value for LGA 1366 builders but is obsolete today.
Best for: Retro build or cheap replacement for a dead LGA 1366 CPU.
Read the full reviewThe pinnacle of the 45nm quad-core era. A legendary overclocker's chip that is now a collector's item.
Best for: Collector's showcase or extreme retro overclocking build.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-930 or Intel Core i7-975?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-975 comes out ahead with a score of 8.8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-930 or Intel Core i7-975?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-975 leads with a gaming performance score of 38/100 among Intel Core i7-930 and Intel Core i7-975.
Do Intel Core i7-930 and Intel Core i7-975 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1366 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.