CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-5820K vs Intel Core i7-5930K
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-5820K is a six-core enthusiast processor that introduced the X99 platform and DDR4 memory to the high-end desktop market, offering a balance of multi-threaded performance and affordability.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Gaming
Virtualization
Efficiency
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI or matrix acceleration hardware.
- AVX2 support offers some vector compute capability.
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware.
- Suitable only for light CPU-based inference workloads.
Content Creation
Gaming
- Requires discrete graphics; no integrated GPU.
- PCIe 3.0 lanes limit full potential of modern RTX 40-series GPUs.
- Boost clocks are modest by modern standards.
- Multi-GPU support was a highlight in its time, but multi-GPU gaming has declined.
- Capable of 1080p/1440p with a strong GPU, though new titles may bottleneck.
- Boost to 3.7 GHz is modest compared with today’s high-clocked desktop CPUs.
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Relatively low entry cost for a used HEDT platform
- Quad-channel DDR4 memory support
- 28 PCIe lanes allow for multiple expansion cards
- Unlocked for overclocking
- Strong multi-core performance for its era
Cons
- High power draw and heat output
- No integrated graphics
- Limited to 28 PCIe lanes (fewer than 5930K/5960X)
- Requires expensive X99 motherboards and DDR4 RAM
- Older architecture lacks modern instruction sets like AVX-512
Pros
- 40 PCIe 3.0 lanes directly from the CPU
- Quad-channel DDR4 memory support
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
- Solid multi-threaded performance for its era
- Proven X99 platform with broad motherboard options
Cons
- No integrated graphics; a discrete GPU is required
- High 140 W TDP with older 22 nm process
- Lower single-thread performance than modern CPUs
- Platform has no upgrade path beyond Broadwell-E
- Memory support capped at DDR4-2133 officially
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-5820K
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Mainstream
- AMD Ryzen 7 1700Rival
Creator
- Intel Core i7-4790KRival
Gaming
- AMD FX-9590Rival
Enthusiast
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-6800KRival
Workstation
If you need the full 40 PCIe lanes for tri-SI or heavy storage arrays.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
A modern, significantly faster and more efficient gaming CPU.
- Intel Core i5-12600KAlt
Modern platform with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support.
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900XAlt
Massive multi-core performance jump for content creation.
More cores and higher frequency on a still-recent mainstream platform.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-5930K
- AMD Ryzen 9 3950XRival
HEDT/High-End Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800XRival
Mainstream Desktop
- RivalCompare head-to-head
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950XRival
HEDT/Workstation
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-6850KRival
HEDT (same platform successor)
Cheaper entry to X99 with 6 cores but fewer PCIe lanes.
Compare head-to-head8-core option on the same platform if you need more cores and lanes.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i9-9900KAlt
Much faster gaming and general performance on a more modern mainstream platform.
- AMD Ryzen 9 5950XAlt
16 cores, far superior performance and efficiency on AM4.
- AMD Ryzen 7 7700XAlt
Strong single-thread performance and modern platform features on AM5.
Our Verdict on Each
The i7-5820K was a groundbreaking value proposition in 2014, bringing DDR4 and quad-channel memory to a lower price point. Today, it remains viable only for budget builds, handicapped by high power consumption and limited PCIe lanes compared to modern standards.
Best for: Building a budget-friendly used workstation for virtualization or light content creation.
Read the full reviewThe i7-5930K was a sensible mid-tier HEDT pick in 2014, offering nearly the same multi-GPU and multi-threaded capabilities as the higher-priced model while costing less. Today, it remains viable for specific workloads that need many PCIe lanes and memory bandwidth, but efficiency and single-thread speeds lag far behind modern chips.
Best for: A very low-cost used HEDT build that needs 40 PCIe lanes and quad-channel DDR4, especially for multi-GPU or many NVMe drives.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-5820K or Intel Core i7-5930K?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-5820K leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i7-5820K and Intel Core i7-5930K.
Do Intel Core i7-5820K and Intel Core i7-5930K use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-5820K: FCLGA2011-3 (LGA2011-v3), Intel Core i7-5930K: LGA2011-v3 (FCLGA2011)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.