Core i7-4900MQ vs Ryzen 7 3700X

Intel

Core i7-4900MQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2013
VS
AMD

Ryzen 7 3700X

8 Cores16 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.4 GHz2019

Core i7-4900MQ vs Ryzen 7 3700X 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 Ryzen 7 3700X 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 Ryzen 7 3700X: 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

  • βœ…Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 7 3700X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (6,146 vs 22,430).
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 32 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 10.8 vs 68.2 PassMark/$ ($570 MSRP vs $329 MSRP).

Ryzen 7 3700X

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +110.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $241 less on MSRP ($329 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 532.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 68.2 vs 10.8 PassMark/$ ($329 MSRP vs $570 MSRP).
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 7 3700X better than Core i7-4900MQ?
Yes. Ryzen 7 3700X is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 110.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 265% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 110.5% 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, Ryzen 7 3700X is the stronger fit. You are getting 265% better PassMark, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 7 3700X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 7 3700X comes in $241 cheaper on MSRP at $329 MSRP versus $570 MSRP, and it still gives you a 110.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 532.3% better value on MSRP (68.2 vs 10.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 7 3700X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2013), 300% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 8 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 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 Ryzen 7 3700X 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 (2013βˆ’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

Ryzen 7 3700X

The Ryzen 7 3700X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (Zen 2) (2019βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 22,430 points. Launch price was $329.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core i7-4900MQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Ryzen 7 3700X offers 8 cores / 16 threads β€” the Ryzen 7 3700X has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4900MQ versus 4.4 GHz on the Ryzen 7 3700X β€” a 14.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 7 3700X (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-4900MQ uses the Haswell (2013βˆ’2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses Matisse (Zen 2) (2019βˆ’2020) (7 nm, 12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4900MQ scores 6,146 against the Ryzen 7 3700X's 22,430 β€” a 114% lead for the Ryzen 7 3700X. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4900MQ vs 32 MB on the Ryzen 7 3700X.

FeatureCore i7-4900MQRyzen 7 3700X
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
8 / 16+100%
Boost Clock
3.8 GHz
4.4 GHz+16%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.6 GHz+29%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
32 MB+300%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512K (per core)+100%
Process
22 nm
7 nm, 12 nm-68%
Architecture
Haswell (2013βˆ’2015)
Matisse (Zen 2) (2019βˆ’2020)
PassMark
6,146
22,430+265%
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4900MQ uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 7 3700X uses AM4 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-4900MQRyzen 7 3700X
Socket
PGA946
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 4.0+33%
Max RAM Speed
β€”
DDR4-3200
Max RAM Capacity
β€”
128 GB
RAM Channels
β€”
2
ECC Support
β€”
Yes
PCIe Lanes
β€”
24
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-4900MQ was priced at $570, while the Ryzen 7 3700X came in at $329. On launch pricing ($570 vs $329), Ryzen 7 3700X was $241 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-4900MQ delivers 10.8 pts/$ vs 68.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 7 3700X β€” making the Ryzen 7 3700X the 145.4% better value option.

FeatureCore i7-4900MQRyzen 7 3700X
MSRP
$570
$329-42%
Performance per Dollar
10.8
68.2+531%
Release Date
2013
2019

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