CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-930 vs Intel Core i5-750
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.
Four cores help with basic multitasking but modern productivity apps will feel sluggish.
Gaming
Bottlenecks modern GPUs but handles 2010-era games perfectly.
With a discrete GPU, can handle older games but cannot run modern titles at acceptable frame rates due to CPU limitations.
Virtualization
Good for basic VMs and legacy server setups.
Four real cores provide usable virtualization for lightweight VMs.
Efficiency
130W TDP is highly inefficient for a quad-core.
95W for four 45nm cores is inefficient by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Incompatible with modern AI workloads
- No AI acceleration instructions
- Far too slow for any ML workload
Content Creation
Gaming
- Low IPC
- No AVX2
- Bottlenecks modern titles
- Cannot run modern AAA games at playable frame rates
- With a capable discrete GPU, older titles (pre-2015) run adequately
- The 2.666GHz base clock is a significant bottleneck
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
- Four real cores provided strong 2009-era performance
- 8MB L3 cache was generous for the price
- Turbo boost significantly improved single-threaded performance
- Excellent value that redefined mainstream desktop pricing
- Overclockable via BCLK with good headroom
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded vs i7 Lynnfield
- No integrated graphics requires a discrete GPU
- 45nm process is obsolete
- No AVX instruction support
- LGA 1156 platform is dead with no upgrade path
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 i5-750
- AMD Phenom II X4 965Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X4 955Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-920Rival
High-End Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X6 1055TRival
Six-Core Desktop
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650Rival
Legacy Quad-Core
- Intel Core i7-860Alt
Eight threads via Hyper-Threading for better multi-threaded performance.
Higher clock speed on the same platform for a small premium.
Compare head-to-head
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 reviewA landmark processor that offered excellent quad-core value in 2009-2010. Completely obsolete today but historically significant as the processor that established the Core i5 brand.
Best for: Keeping an existing LGA 1156 Lynnfield system functional for light tasks
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-930 or Intel Core i5-750?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-930 comes out ahead with a score of 8.5/10. 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 i5-750?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-930 leads with a gaming performance score of 32/100 among Intel Core i7-930 and Intel Core i5-750.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-750 has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-930 (130 W), Intel Core i5-750 (95 W).
Do Intel Core i7-930 and Intel Core i5-750 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-930: LGA 1366, Intel Core i5-750: LGA 1156), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-750 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-930 (0), Intel Core i5-750 (6,750). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.