Core i7-4860EQ vs Ryzen 3 2300U

Core i7-4860EQ vs Ryzen 3 2300U Performance Spectrum

Core i7-4860EQ

4 / 8

5,508

+0.4%

5,484

0.0%

Athlon X4 830

Athlon X4 880K

Ryzen Embedded R1606G

FX-8140

Ryzen 7 5700

Ryzen AI Max PRO 390

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3975WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7965WX

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.

Core i7-4860EQ vs Ryzen 3 2300U 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 i7-4860EQ vs Ryzen 3 2300U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4860EQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $434 MSRP, while Ryzen 3 2300U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌213.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 15W.

Ryzen 3 2300U

2018

Why buy it

✅Draws 15W instead of 47W, a 32W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4860EQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,484 vs 5,508).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4860EQ better than Ryzen 3 2300U?

Yes. Core i7-4860EQ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.4% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4860EQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.5% 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 i7-4860EQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Core i7-4860EQ is the better buy right now. Core i7-4860EQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at $434 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (12.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 3 2300U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4860EQ vs Ryzen 3 2300U Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4860EQ

The Core i7-4860EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 August 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 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: 5,508 points. Launch price was $149.

Ryzen 3 2300U

The Ryzen 3 2300U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 8 January 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,484 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4860EQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Ryzen 3 2300U's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-4860EQ versus 3.4 GHz on the Ryzen 3 2300U — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Ryzen 3 2300U (base: 1.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-4860EQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 3 2300U uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4860EQ scores 5,508 against the Ryzen 3 2300U's 5,484 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-4860EQ. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4860EQ vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 3 2300U.

Feature	Core i7-4860EQ	Ryzen 3 2300U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.4 GHz+6%
Base Clock	1.8 GHz	2 GHz+11%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark	5,508	5,484

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4860EQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 3 2300U uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.