Core i7-4850HQ vs Core i7-8550U

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 i7-4850HQ vs Core i7-8550U 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 i7-4850HQ vs Core i7-8550U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4850HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8550U across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌213.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 15W.

Core i7-8550U

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 15W instead of 47W, a 32W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,118 vs 6,139).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8550U better than Core i7-4850HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8550U is ahead with a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4850HQ pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4850HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-8550U still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-8550U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-8550U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4850HQ vs Core i7-8550U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4850HQ

The Core i7-4850HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 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: 6,139 points. Launch price was $468.

Core i7-8550U

The Core i7-8550U 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 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,118 points. Launch price was $409.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4850HQ and Core i7-8550U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-4850HQ versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-8550U — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8550U (base: 2.3 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i7-4850HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-8550U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4850HQ scores 6,139 against the Core i7-8550U's 6,118 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-4850HQ. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4850HQ	Core i7-8550U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	4 GHz+14%
Base Clock	2.3 GHz+28%	1.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark	6,139	6,118

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4850HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8550U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.