Core i7-4900MQ vs Core i7-8550U

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 i7-8550U 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 i7-8550U: 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: +3.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $570 MSRP, while Core i7-8550U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌213.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 15W.

Core i7-8550U

2017

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4900MQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,118 vs 6,146).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4900MQ better than Core i7-8550U?

Yes. Core i7-4900MQ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4900MQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.7% 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 i7-4900MQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4900MQ is the better buy right now. Core i7-4900MQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at $570 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (10.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-8550U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4900MQ vs Core i7-8550U 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 i7-8550U

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.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4900MQ and Core i7-8550U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4900MQ versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-8550U — a 5.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-8550U (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i7-4900MQ uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-8550U uses Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4900MQ scores 6,146 against the Core i7-8550U's 6,118 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-4900MQ. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4900MQ	Core i7-8550U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+56%	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	Haswell (2013−2015)	Kaby Lake Refresh (2017−2019)
PassMark	6,146	6,118

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4900MQ uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8550U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.