Core i7-4870HQ 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.

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 i7-4870HQ is positioned at rank 487 and the Core i7-4960HQ is on rank 72, so the Core i7-4960HQ 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 i7-4870HQ

#153

Core i7-1370P

MSRP: $438|Avg: $280

99%

#475

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

636%

#476

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

627%

#477

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

575%

#478

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

573%

#479

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

567%

#481

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

548%

#482

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

525%

#483

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

525%

#484

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

511%

#487

Core i7-4870HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#488

Processor U300

MSRP: $193|Avg: $180

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4960HQ

#15

Ryzen 5 220

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

98%

#18

Ryzen 5 8500G

MSRP: $179|Avg: $150

94%

#60

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

230%

#61

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

227%

#62

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

208%

#63

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

207%

#64

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

205%

#66

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

198%

#67

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

190%

#68

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

190%

#69

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

185%

#72

Core i7-4960HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#75

Core i3-4030U

MSRP: $281|Avg: N/A

98%

#79

Atom D2500

MSRP: $42|Avg: N/A

95%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Leadership: The Core i7-4960HQ delivers superior performance across the board. It outperforms the Core i7-4870HQ in both compute-intensive tasks (0.8% faster) and gaming workloads.

Insight	Core i7-4870HQ	Core i7-4960HQ
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	Equivalent pricing	Equivalent pricing
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Insight	Core i7-4870HQ	Core i7-4960HQ
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 i7-4870HQ Benchmark Check

Core i7-4960HQ Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4870HQ and Core i7-4960HQ

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 i7-4960HQ

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.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4870HQ and Core i7-4960HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-4870HQ versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4960HQ — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-4960HQ (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). Both are built on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-4870HQ scores 6,320 against the Core i7-4960HQ's 6,370 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-4960HQ. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4870HQ	Core i7-4960HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz	3.8 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.6 GHz+4%
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)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,320	6,370