Core i7-4980HQ
VS
Ryzen 5 2500U

Core i7-4980HQ vs Ryzen 5 2500U

Intel

Core i7-4980HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 4 GHz2014
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 2500U

4 Cores8 Thrd15 WWMax: 3.6 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-4980HQ is positioned at rank 417 and the Ryzen 5 2500U is on rank 106, so the Ryzen 5 2500U offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4980HQ

#125
Core i7-13700H
MSRP: $502|Avg: N/A
100%
#405
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
561%
#406
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
553%
#407
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
507%
#408
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
505%
#409
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
500%
#411
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
483%
#412
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
463%
#413
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
463%
#414
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
450%
#417
Core i7-4980HQ
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#421
Core i5-9400H
MSRP: $182|Avg: N/A
99%
#426
Celeron 2981U
MSRP: $137|Avg: N/A
99%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Ryzen 5 2500U

#31
Ryzen 5 230
MSRP: $200|Avg: $190
96%
#94
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
280%
#95
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
276%
#96
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
253%
#97
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
252%
#98
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
250%
#100
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
241%
#101
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
231%
#102
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
231%
#103
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
225%
#106
Ryzen 5 2500U
MSRP: $349|Avg: N/A
100%
#109
Celeron 4305U
MSRP: $107|Avg: N/A
99%
#110
Celeron J1850
MSRP: $82|Avg: N/A
99%
#114
Core i3-4100M
MSRP: $225|Avg: $99
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Ryzen 5 2500U (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4-2400, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i7-4980HQRyzen 5 2500U
Gaming
Superior gaming performance
Lower gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($349)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm)
✨ Modern (Raven Ridge (2017−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-4980HQ (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i7-4980HQRyzen 5 2500U
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($349)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4980HQ and Ryzen 5 2500U

Intel

Core i7-4980HQ

The Core i7-4980HQ 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 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: 6,539 points. Launch price was $623.

AMD

Ryzen 5 2500U

The Ryzen 5 2500U is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 26 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FP5. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,494 points. Launch price was $149.

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4980HQ and Ryzen 5 2500U share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4980HQ versus 3.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2500U — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4980HQ (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-4980HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2500U uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4980HQ scores 6,539 against the Ryzen 5 2500U's 6,494 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-4980HQ. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4980HQ vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2500U.

FeatureCore i7-4980HQRyzen 5 2500U
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4 GHz+11%
3.6 GHz
Base Clock
2.8 GHz+40%
2 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+100%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Crystalwell (2013−2014)
Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark
6,539
6,494
Geekbench 6 Single
818
Geekbench 6 Multi
2,310
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4980HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2500U uses FP5 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-4980HQRyzen 5 2500U
Socket
BGA1364
FP5
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity
32 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
12
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4980HQ) / AMD-V (Ryzen 5 2500U). The Ryzen 5 2500U includes integrated graphics (Radeon Vega 8), while the Core i7-4980HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 2500U targets Mainstream Laptop.

FeatureCore i7-4980HQRyzen 5 2500U
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
Radeon Vega 8
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Mainstream Laptop