Core i3-9300T vs Core i7-4960HQ

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-9300T vs Core i7-4960HQ FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-9300T vs Core i7-4960HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-9300T

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 35W instead of 47W, a 12W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-4960HQ needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Intel Stock), unlike Core i7-4960HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4960HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,323 vs 6,370).
❌Launch MSRP is still $309 MSRP, while Core i7-4960HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-4960HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +11.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌34.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i3-9300T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-9300T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4960HQ better than Core i3-9300T?

Yes. Core i7-4960HQ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 11.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.7% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4960HQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 11.9% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4960HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-4960HQ is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4960HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $309 MSRP, and it still gives you a 11.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i3-9300T only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 6,323 PassMark with 4 cores and 4 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-9300T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-9300T vs Core i7-4960HQ Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-9300T

The Core i3-9300T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,323 points. Launch price was $143.

Core i7-4960HQ

The Core i7-4960HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,370 points. Launch price was $657.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9300T packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4960HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i3-9300T versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4960HQ — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-9300T uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4960HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9300T scores 6,323 against the Core i7-4960HQ's 6,370 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-4960HQ. L3 cache: 8 MB on the Core i3-9300T vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4960HQ.

Feature	Core i3-9300T	Core i7-4960HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+23%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,323	6,370
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,265	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9300T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4960HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i3-9300T	Core i7-4960HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i3-9300T) / not specified (Core i7-4960HQ). The Core i3-9300T includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-4960HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-9300T targets Low Power Desktop.