Core i7-4850HQ vs Core i7-8550U

Core i7-4850HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2013

Core i7-8550U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 4 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i7-4850HQ

4 / 8

6,139

+0.3%

6,118

0.0%

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 i7-4850HQ is positioned at rank 329 and the Core i7-8550U is on rank 686, so the Core i7-4850HQ 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 i7-4850HQ

#97

Core Ultra 5 226V

MSRP: $300|Avg: $300

100%

#317

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

478%

#318

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

471%

#319

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

432%

#320

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

430%

#321

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

426%

#323

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

412%

#324

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

395%

#325

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

394%

#326

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

384%

#329

Core i7-4850HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#336

Xeon E3-1505M v5

MSRP: $115|Avg: $115

99%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-8550U

#674

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

959%

#675

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

945%

#676

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

868%

#677

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

864%

#678

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

856%

#680

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

826%

#681

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

792%

#682

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

791%

#683

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

770%

#686

Core i7-8550U

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#696

Processor N95

MSRP: $160|Avg: $80

98%

#699

Athlon Silver 3050e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

97%

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 i7-8550U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i7-4850HQ	Core i7-8550U
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-4850HQ (2013) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i7-4850HQ	Core i7-8550U
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 i7-4850HQ Benchmark Check

Core i7-8550U Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4850HQ and Core i7-8550U

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.

⚡

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

🧠

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.