Core i7-4930MX vs Core i7-4960HQ

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 i7-4930MX vs Core i7-4960HQ 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 i7-4930MX vs Core i7-4960HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4930MX

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌21.3% higher power demand at 57W vs 47W.

Core i7-4960HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Draws 47W instead of 57W, a 10W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4930MX across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,370 vs 6,387).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4930MX better than Core i7-4960HQ?

Yes. Core i7-4930MX is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.3% 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 i7-4930MX is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 7.9% 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, Core i7-4930MX is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4930MX still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-4930MX comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-4930MX makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i7-4930MX vs Core i7-4960HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4930MX

The Core i7-4930MX 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 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 57 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,387 points. Launch price was $1,096.

Core i7-4960HQ

The Core i7-4960HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 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: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,370 points. Launch price was $657.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4930MX and Core i7-4960HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4930MX versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-4960HQ — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-4930MX (base: 3 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-4930MX uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4960HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4930MX scores 6,387 against the Core i7-4960HQ's 6,370 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i7-4930MX. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4930MX	Core i7-4960HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+3%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+15%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,387	6,370

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4930MX uses the PGA946 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4960HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.