Core i7-4900MQ vs Core i7-6700TE

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 i7-4900MQ vs Core i7-6700TE 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 i7-4900MQ vs Core i7-6700TE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4900MQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,146 vs 6,203).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 20.5 PassMark/$ ($570 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
❌34.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-6700TE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-6700TE

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.9% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $267 less on MSRP ($303 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).
✅Delivers 89.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 20.5 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 47W, a 12W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4900MQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6700TE better than Core i7-4900MQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4900MQ is ahead with a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6700TE pulls ahead with 0.9% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6700TE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-6700TE is the better buy right now. Core i7-6700TE comes in $267 cheaper on MSRP at $303 MSRP versus $570 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4900MQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 89.9% better value on MSRP (20.5 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-6700TE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013) and 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 i7-4900MQ vs Core i7-6700TE Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4900MQ

The Core i7-4900MQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 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: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,146 points. Launch price was $568.

Core i7-6700TE

The Core i7-6700TE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,203 points. Launch price was $303.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4900MQ and Core i7-6700TE share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4900MQ versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-6700TE — a 11.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-4900MQ (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-4900MQ uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6700TE uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4900MQ scores 6,146 against the Core i7-6700TE's 6,203 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-6700TE. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4900MQ	Core i7-6700TE
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+12%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+17%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	6,146	6,203
Geekbench 6 Single	—	914
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,244

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4900MQ uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6700TE uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4900MQ	Core i7-6700TE
Socket	PGA946	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	—	64 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4900MQ) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i7-6700TE). The Core i7-6700TE includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), while the Core i7-4900MQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6700TE targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Core i7-6700TE rivals Ryzen 5 3600.

Feature	Core i7-4900MQ	Core i7-6700TE
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Gaming

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4900MQ was priced at $570, while the Core i7-6700TE came in at $303. On launch pricing ($570 vs $303), Core i7-6700TE was $267 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4900MQ delivers 10.8 pts/$ vs 20.5 pts/$ for the Core i7-6700TE — making the Core i7-6700TE the 62% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-4900MQ	Core i7-6700TE
MSRP	$570	$303-47%
Performance per Dollar	10.8	20.5+90%
Release Date	2013	2015

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