Core i7-4900MQ vs FX-8370

Intel

Core i7-4900MQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2013
Similar parts
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VS
AMD

FX-8370

8 Cores8 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2014
Similar parts
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Core i7-4900MQ vs FX-8370 Performance Spectrum

About PassMark

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 FX-8370 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 FX-8370: 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

  • Draws 47W instead of 125W, a 78W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-8370 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (6,146 vs 6,184).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 31.1 PassMark/$ ($570 MSRP vs $199 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike FX-8370.

FX-8370

2014

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +9.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $371 less on MSRP ($199 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).
  • Delivers 188.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 31.1 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($199 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Stock Cooler), unlike Core i7-4900MQ.

Trade-offs

  • 166% higher power demand at 125W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-8370 better than Core i7-4900MQ?
Yes. FX-8370 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% 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, FX-8370 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.9% 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, FX-8370 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 8 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
FX-8370 is the better buy right now. FX-8370 comes in $371 cheaper on MSRP at $199 MSRP versus $570 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 188.2% better value on MSRP (31.1 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
FX-8370 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 8 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 FX-8370 Technical Specifications

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

Intel

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.

AMD

FX-8370

The FX-8370 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2 September 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 8192 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,184 points. Launch price was $199.

Processing Power

The Core i7-4900MQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the FX-8370 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the FX-8370 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4900MQ versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-8370 — a 12.3% clock advantage for the FX-8370 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 4 GHz). The Core i7-4900MQ uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the FX-8370 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4900MQ scores 6,146 against the FX-8370's 6,184 — a 0.6% lead for the FX-8370.

FeatureCore i7-4900MQFX-8370
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
8 / 8+100%
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz
4.3 GHz+13%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
4 GHz+43%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
8192 kB+3100%
Process
22 nm-31%
32 nm
Architecture
Haswell (2013−2015)
Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark
6,146
6,184
Cinebench R23 Multi
3,800
Geekbench 6 Single
520
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,050
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4900MQ uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the FX-8370 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-4900MQFX-8370
Socket
PGA946
AM3+
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0+50%
PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
No
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4900MQ) / AMD-V (FX-8370). Primary use case: FX-8370 targets Legacy Gaming. Direct competitor: FX-8370 rivals Core i5-6400.

FeatureCore i7-4900MQFX-8370
Integrated GPU
No
IGPU Model
None
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Legacy Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4900MQ was priced at $570, while the FX-8370 came in at $199. On launch pricing ($570 vs $199), FX-8370 was $371 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4900MQ delivers 10.8 pts/$ vs 31.1 pts/$ for the FX-8370 — making the FX-8370 the 97% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-4900MQFX-8370
MSRP
$570
$199-65%
Performance per Dollar
10.8
31.1+188%
Release Date
2013
2014

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