Core i7-4720HQ vs Core i7-4800MQ

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 i7-4720HQ vs Core i7-4800MQ 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 i7-4720HQ vs Core i7-4800MQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4720HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 1W instead of 47W, a 46W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4800MQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,714 vs 5,773).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-4800MQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $380 MSRP, while Core i7-4720HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌4600% higher power demand at 47W vs 1W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4800MQ better than Core i7-4720HQ?

Yes. Core i7-4800MQ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4800MQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.3% 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 i7-4800MQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-4800MQ is the better buy right now. Core i7-4800MQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at $380 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (15.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-4720HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4720HQ vs Core i7-4800MQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4720HQ

The Core i7-4720HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,714 points. Launch price was $378.

Core i7-4800MQ

The Core i7-4800MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,773 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4720HQ and Core i7-4800MQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4720HQ versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-4800MQ — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-4800MQ (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). Both are built on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-4720HQ scores 5,714 against the Core i7-4800MQ's 5,773 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-4800MQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-4720HQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4800MQ.

Feature	Core i7-4720HQ	Core i7-4800MQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	5,714	5,773+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4720HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4800MQ uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.