Core i7-4900MQ vs Core i7-8665U

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 i7-8665U 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 i7-8665U: 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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,146 vs 6,202).
❌Launch MSRP is still $570 MSRP, while Core i7-8665U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌213.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 15W.

Core i7-8665U

2019

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8665U better than Core i7-4900MQ?

Yes. Core i7-8665U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.9% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-8665U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 1.5% 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 i7-8665U 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 i7-8665U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-8665U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $570 MSRP, and it still gives you a 1.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-4900MQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (10.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8665U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 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 i7-8665U 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 i7-8665U

The Core i7-8665U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 October 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 1.9 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,202 points. Launch price was $409.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4900MQ and Core i7-8665U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4900MQ versus 4.8 GHz on the Core i7-8665U — a 23.3% clock advantage for the Core i7-8665U (base: 2.8 GHz vs 1.9 GHz). The Core i7-4900MQ uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-8665U uses Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4900MQ scores 6,146 against the Core i7-8665U's 6,202 — a 0.9% lead for the Core i7-8665U. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4900MQ	Core i7-8665U
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.8 GHz+26%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+47%	1.9 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Whiskey Lake-U (2018−2019)
PassMark	6,146	6,202

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4900MQ uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8665U uses FCBGA1528 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.