Core i7-4790T 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 i7-4790T 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 i7-4790T 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 i7-4790T

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 47W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,325 vs 6,370).
❌Launch MSRP is still $303 MSRP, while Core i7-4960HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-4960HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4790T across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4790T better than Core i7-4960HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4790T is ahead with a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4960HQ pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

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 i7-4790T is the better buy right now. Core i7-4790T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $303 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-4960HQ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.7% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (20.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4790T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4790T vs Core i7-4960HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4790T

The Core i7-4790T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 May 2014 (11 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 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,325 points. Launch price was $303.

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

Both the Core i7-4790T and Core i7-4960HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4790T versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4960HQ — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-4790T (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-4790T uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4960HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4790T scores 6,325 against the Core i7-4960HQ's 6,370 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-4960HQ. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4790T	Core i7-4960HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz+4%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,325	6,370

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4790T uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4960HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.