Core i7-9850HE vs Core i7-4960X
Core i7-9850HE
Core i7-4960X
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 i7-9850HE is positioned at rank 449 and the Core i7-4960X is on rank 998, so the Core i7-9850HE offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-9850HE
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4960X
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-9850HE | Core i7-4960X |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($136) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Coffee Lake-HR (2019) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge-E (2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-9850HE | Core i7-4960X |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($136) |
Performance Check
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 i7-9850HE and Core i7-4960X
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.
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.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-9850HE and Core i7-4960X share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.4 GHz on the Core i7-9850HE versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-4960X — a 9.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-9850HE (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i7-9850HE uses the Coffee Lake-HR (2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4960X uses Ivy Bridge-E (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-9850HE scores 9,972 against the Core i7-4960X's 9,935 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-9850HE. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i7-9850HE vs 15 MB (total) on the Core i7-4960X.
| Feature | Core i7-9850HE | Core i7-4960X |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 6 / 12 | 6 / 12 |
| Boost Clock | 4.4 GHz+10% | 4 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.7 GHz | 3.6 GHz+33% |
| L3 Cache | 9 MB (total) | 15 MB (total)+67% |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm-36% | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Coffee Lake-HR (2019) | Ivy Bridge-E (2013) |
| PassMark | 9,972 | 9,935 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,329 | — |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 5,990 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-9850HE uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4960X uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4 2666 MHz on the Core i7-9850HE versus DDR3-1866 on the Core i7-4960X — the Core i7-9850HE supports 200% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-9850HE) vs 4 (Core i7-4960X). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-9850HE) vs 40 (Core i7-4960X) — the Core i7-4960X offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.
| Feature | Core i7-9850HE | Core i7-4960X |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1440 | LGA2011 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4 2666 MHz+33% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 4+100% |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ❌ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 40+150% |
Advanced Features
Only the Core i7-4960X has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-9850HE) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4960X). The Core i7-9850HE includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-4960X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-9850HE targets Embedded, Core i7-4960X targets Desktop.
| Feature | Core i7-9850HE | Core i7-4960X |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | No |
| IGPU Model | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | — |
| Unlocked | No | Yes |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | true | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | Embedded | Desktop |
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