Core i5-8250U vs Core i7-4860HQ

Core i5-8250U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2017

Core i7-4860HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-8250U

4 / 8

6,158

0.0%

6,204

+0.7%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-8250U is positioned at rank 860 and the Core i7-4860HQ is on rank 861, so the Core i5-8250U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-8250U

#848

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1415%

#849

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1395%

#850

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1280%

#851

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1274%

#852

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1263%

#854

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1219%

#855

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1169%

#856

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1167%

#857

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1136%

#860

Core i5-8250U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#863

Pentium Dual Core T2390

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

99%

#867

Core i7-1160G7

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

99%

#873

Celeron M 540

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4860HQ

#849

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1419%

#850

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1398%

#851

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1283%

#852

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1278%

#853

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1266%

#855

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1222%

#856

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1172%

#857

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1170%

#858

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1139%

#861

Core i7-4860HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#863

Pentium Dual Core T2390

MSRP: $86|Avg: $5

100%

#867

Core i7-1160G7

MSRP: $426|Avg: N/A

99%

#873

Celeron M 540

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-8250U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-4860HQ
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) / 14 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-4860HQ (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-4860HQ
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-8250U Benchmark Check

Core i7-4860HQ Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8250U and Core i7-4860HQ

Core i5-8250U

The Core i5-8250U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,158 points. Launch price was $297.

Core i7-4860HQ

The Core i7-4860HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 6,204 points. Launch price was $434.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-8250U and Core i7-4860HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-8250U versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4860HQ — a 5.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-4860HQ (base: 1.6 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i5-8250U uses the Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4860HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8250U scores 6,158 against the Core i7-4860HQ's 6,204 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-4860HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-8250U vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4860HQ.

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-4860HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.6 GHz+6%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	2.4 GHz+50%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,158	6,204
Geekbench 6 Single	1,127	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8250U uses the BGA1356 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4860HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8250U	Core i7-4860HQ
Socket	BGA1356	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	❌	—
PCIe Lanes	12	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8250U) / not specified (Core i7-4860HQ). The Core i5-8250U includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 620), while the Core i7-4860HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8250U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8250U rivals Ryzen 5 2500U.