CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-5820K vs Intel Core i7-7820X
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
Solid performance for older software and moderate rendering tasks, but falls behind modern 6-core CPUs in IPC and clock speed.
Strong multi-threaded throughput in CINEBENCH, HandBrake, and similar workloads at launch; still competent for many content creation tasks compared to modern mainstream parts.
Gaming
Playable in modern esports and AAA titles when paired with a strong GPU, but likely to bottleneck top-tier cards in CPU-intensive scenarios.
Delivers high frame rates in 2017-era titles and remains adequate for modern gaming, but newer gaming-focused CPUs with higher clocks and improved IPC pull ahead.
Virtualization
Excellent value for home labs due to high core count, VT-d support, and PCIe lane availability for multiple NICs or storage controllers.
PCIe and memory bandwidth are helpful for multiple VMs, but core count is moderate for modern heavy virtualization needs.
Efficiency
High power consumption (140W TDP) and heat output compared to 14nm, 10nm, or 7nm counterparts.
High 140 W TDP and 14 nm process lead to greater power consumption versus newer 7 nm and smaller nodes.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI or matrix acceleration hardware.
- AVX2 support offers some vector compute capability.
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- AVX-512 can help certain CPU-bound inference tasks
- Most modern AI workloads are better served by GPUs
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.
- Capable of high-refresh gaming with a strong GPU
- Single-core boost reaches up to 4.5 GHz on favored cores
- Modern CPUs offer better gaming efficiency and higher IPC
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
- 8 cores and 16 threads for multi-threaded workloads
- Quad-channel DDR4 memory increases bandwidth
- 28 PCIe 3.0 lanes plus chipset lanes for expansion
- Turbo Boost Max 3.0 for higher single-core boosts
- AVX-512 support for optimized workloads
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
Cons
- High 140 W TDP and power consumption
- No integrated graphics
- Only 28 CPU PCIe lanes, limiting multi-GPU configurations
- Discontinued platform with limited future upgrades
- Older 14 nm process versus modern smaller nodes
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-5820K
- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Rival
Mainstream
- AMD Ryzen 7 1700Rival
Creator
- Compare head-to-headIntel 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.
Modern platform with PCIe 5.0 and DDR5 support.
Compare head-to-head- 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 i7-7820X
- AMD Ryzen 7 1800XRival
Creator/Gaming
- AMD Ryzen 7 1700XRival
Creator/Gaming
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920XRival
Workstation
- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950XRival
Workstation
- RivalCompare head-to-head
More cores, higher efficiency, and DDR5 on a modern mainstream platform.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 7900Alt
Strong multi-threaded performance with excellent efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900XAlt
12-core AM4 option with strong gaming and creator performance.
High-performance mainstream platform with good upgrade path.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X (used)Alt
Higher core and lane count for workstation-class workloads.
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 reviewA competent eight-core HEDT chip with strong multi-threaded performance and platform expansion, though high power draw and limited PCIe lanes compared to higher-tier X299 CPUs make it a niche choice today.
Best for: Used-market upgrade for an existing X299 build with quad-channel DDR4 and a need for more cores than mainstream.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-5820K or Intel Core i7-7820X?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-7820X leads with a gaming performance score of 78/100 among Intel Core i7-5820K and Intel Core i7-7820X.
Do Intel Core i7-5820K and Intel Core i7-7820X use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-5820K: FCLGA2011-3 (LGA2011-v3), Intel Core i7-7820X: LGA2066), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i7-7820X has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-5820K (6 cores), Intel Core i7-7820X (8 cores).