Core i7-4980HQ vs Xeon Silver 4112

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 i7-4980HQ vs Xeon Silver 4112 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 i7-4980HQ vs Xeon Silver 4112: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4980HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Draws 47W instead of 85W, a 38W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Xeon Silver 4112

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,536 vs 6,539).
❌Launch MSRP is still $885 MSRP, while Core i7-4980HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌80.9% higher power demand at 85W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4980HQ better than Xeon Silver 4112?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon Silver 4112 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4980HQ is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4980HQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.6% 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 i7-4980HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4980HQ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Silver 4112 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-4980HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $885 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon Silver 4112 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (7.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Xeon Silver 4112 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4980HQ vs Xeon Silver 4112 Technical Specifications

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

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.

Xeon Silver 4112

The Xeon Silver 4112 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 11 July 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3 GHz. L3 cache: 8.25 MB. L2 cache: 4 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 6,536 points. Launch price was $473.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4980HQ and Xeon Silver 4112 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4980HQ versus 3 GHz on the Xeon Silver 4112 — a 28.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-4980HQ (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-4980HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon Silver 4112 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4980HQ scores 6,539 against the Xeon Silver 4112's 6,536 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-4980HQ. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4980HQ vs 8.25 MB on the Xeon Silver 4112.

Feature	Core i7-4980HQ	Xeon Silver 4112
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz+33%	3 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz+8%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8.25 MB+3%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+6300%	4 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	6,539	6,536

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4980HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon Silver 4112 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.