Core i7-4960X vs Core i7-9850HE

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 i7-4960X vs Core i7-9850HE 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 i7-4960X vs Core i7-9850HE: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4960X

2013

Why buy it

✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 9 MB).
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-9850HE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (9,935 vs 9,972).
❌Launch MSRP is still $990 MSRP, while Core i7-9850HE mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-9850HE can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-9850HE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-4960X needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (9 MB vs 15 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-9850HE better than Core i7-4960X?

Yes. Core i7-9850HE is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.4% 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 i7-9850HE is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.0% 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 i7-9850HE is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Core i7-9850HE is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-9850HE comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $990 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-4960X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (10.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA2011.

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

Core i7-9850HE 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 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4960X vs Core i7-9850HE Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4960X

The Core i7-4960X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 9,935 points. Launch price was $999.

Core i7-9850HE

The Core i7-9850HE is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Junho 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 9,972 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4960X and Core i7-9850HE share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4960X versus 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9850HE — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-9850HE (base: 3.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-4960X uses the Ivy Bridge-E (2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-9850HE uses Coffee Lake-HR (2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4960X scores 9,935 against the Core i7-9850HE's 9,972 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-9850HE. L3 cache: 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-4960X vs 9 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850HE.

Feature	Core i7-4960X	Core i7-9850HE
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.4 GHz+10%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+33%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	15 MB (total)+67%	9 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge-E (2013)	Coffee Lake-HR (2019)
PassMark	9,935	9,972
Geekbench 6 Single	—	1,329
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	5,990

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4960X uses the LGA2011 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-9850HE uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1866 on the Core i7-4960X versus DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i7-9850HE — the Core i7-9850HE supports 42.9% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 4 (Core i7-4960X) vs 2 (Core i7-9850HE). PCIe lanes: 40 (Core i7-4960X) vs 16 (Core i7-9850HE) — the Core i7-4960X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i7-4960X	Core i7-9850HE
Socket	LGA2011	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1866	DDR4 2666 MHz+43%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	4+100%	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	40+150%	16

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Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-4960X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4960X) vs true (Core i7-9850HE). The Core i7-9850HE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-4960X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4960X targets Desktop, Core i7-9850HE targets Embedded.