Core i7-950 vs Core i7-4610M

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 i7-950 vs Core i7-4610M 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 i7-950 vs Core i7-4610M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-950

2009

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 130W instead of 512W, a 382W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,250 vs 3,251).
❌Launch MSRP is still $562 MSRP, while Core i7-4610M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-4610M

2014

Why buy it

✅+0% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-950 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 8 MB).
❌293.8% higher power demand at 512W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-950 better than Core i7-4610M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-950 is ahead with a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4610M pulls ahead with 0% better PassMark. Core i7-950 also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4610M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-950 is the better buy right now. Core i7-950 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $562 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-4610M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (5.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-4610M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2009) and more multi-core headroom with 2 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-950 vs Core i7-4610M Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-950

The Core i7-950 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2009 (16 years ago). It is based on the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.06 GHz, with boost up to 3.33 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 45 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,250 points. Launch price was $290.

Core i7-4610M

The Core i7-4610M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,251 points. Launch price was $346.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i7-950 packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-4610M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i7-950 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.33 GHz on the Core i7-950 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-4610M — a 10.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4610M (base: 3.06 GHz vs 3 GHz). The Core i7-950 uses the Bloomfield (2008−2010) architecture (45 nm), while the Core i7-4610M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-950 scores 3,250 against the Core i7-4610M's 3,251 — a 0% lead for the Core i7-4610M. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-950 vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4610M.

Feature	Core i7-950	Core i7-4610M
Cores / Threads	4 / 8+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.33 GHz	3.7 GHz+11%
Base Clock	3.06 GHz+2%	3 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+100%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	45 nm	22 nm-51%
Architecture	Bloomfield (2008−2010)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,250	3,251

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-950 uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-4610M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.