Core i7-4870HQ vs Core i7-4910MQ

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 i7-4870HQ vs Core i7-4910MQ 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 i7-4870HQ vs Core i7-4910MQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4870HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4910MQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-4910MQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,297 vs 6,320).
❌Launch MSRP is still $570 MSRP, while Core i7-4870HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4870HQ better than Core i7-4910MQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4910MQ is ahead with a 7.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4870HQ pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4870HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4870HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4870HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $570 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-4910MQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2014 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (11.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on PGA946.

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

Core i7-4870HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4870HQ vs Core i7-4910MQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4870HQ

The Core i7-4870HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 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: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,320 points. Launch price was $434.

Core i7-4910MQ

The Core i7-4910MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 20 January 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 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: 6,297 points. Launch price was $568.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4870HQ and Core i7-4910MQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-4870HQ versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4910MQ — a 5.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-4910MQ (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-4870HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4910MQ uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4870HQ scores 6,320 against the Core i7-4910MQ's 6,297 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-4870HQ. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4870HQ	Core i7-4910MQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.9 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.9 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	6,320	6,297

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4870HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4910MQ uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.