Intel Core i5-8269U vs Intel Core i7-4910MQ Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8269U and the Intel Core i7-4910MQ are both mobile processors with four cores and eight threads, but they come from different eras of Intel’s product stack. The i5-8269U is a 28-watt part built on the Kaby Lake architecture, while the i7-4910MQ is a 47-watt Haswell processor. The recorded benchmark data shows a consistent advantage for the newer i5-8269U across every tested workload, despite the i7-4910MQ carrying a higher tier name and a higher launch MSRP. The following analysis breaks down the head-to-head results, the architectural differences, and the practical implications of the data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides a clear picture of the performance gap between these two processors. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the Intel Core i5-8269U scores 609 points, while the Intel Core i7-4910MQ manages 536 points. That is a 13.6% advantage for the i5-8269U. The single-core version of the same test shows a similar pattern: the i5-8269U scores 85 points, and the i7-4910MQ scores 75 points, a 13.3% lead. The consistency of these margins is notable, as it suggests the performance difference is structural rather than workload-specific.

Moving to the newer Cinebench R20 release, the results follow the same trajectory. The i5-8269U scores 2538 points in multicore, compared to 2236 points for the i7-4910MQ, marking a 13.5% difference. In the single-core test, the i5-8269U scores 358 points, while the i7-4910MQ scores 315 points, a 13.7% lead. These numbers reinforce the pattern established in R15. The margin in single-core performance is consistently around 13%, which is a substantial gap given that both processors share the same core and thread count.

The Cinebench R23 results continue the trend. The i5-8269U scores 6044 points in multicore, while the i7-4910MQ scores 5326 points, a 13.5% advantage. In single-core, the i5-8269U scores 853 points, and the i7-4910MQ scores 752 points, a 13.4% lead. Across all six head-to-head comparisons, the i5-8269U wins every test. The database records 6 wins for the i5-8269U and 0 wins for the i7-4910MQ. The narrowest margin is 13.3%, and the widest is 13.7%, so the performance gap is remarkably stable across generations of the Cinebench benchmark.

The average benchmark score also reflects this difference. The i5-8269U has an average score of 1748, while the i7-4910MQ sits at 1716. Both processors land at the 41st percentile among all CPUs, which means they occupy a similar position in the overall performance distribution. However, the raw scores show that the i5-8269U is consistently ahead. The i7-4910MQ does have additional Geekbench results in the database, scoring 3368 in multicore and 1116 in single-core, but the i5-8269U lacks comparable Geekbench data, so those cannot be directly compared.

The nearest rival data for each processor puts these scores in context. The i5-8269U sits within 0.4% of the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE, the Intel Core i7-980X, the Intel Core i5-6600, and the AMD Ryzen 3 4300U. The i7-4910MQ is similarly close to the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U, the Intel Core i7-990X, the Intel Core i7-4860HQ, and the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE. This shows that while the two processors are comparable to different sets of rivals, they occupy an overlapping performance tier, with the i5-8269U holding the edge in every direct comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The Intel Core i5-8269U is built on the Kaby Lake architecture, specifically the Kaby Lake-R codename, using a 14 nm process node. The Intel Core i7-4910MQ uses the Haswell architecture with a 22 nm process node. This process difference is significant, as the newer 14 nm node allows for higher efficiency and higher clock speeds at a lower power draw.

Clock speeds tell part of the story. The i5-8269U has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The i7-4910MQ has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The i7-4910MQ starts with a higher base clock, but the i5-8269U boosts nearly a third of a gigahertz higher. The power envelope is also different: the i5-8269U has a 28-watt TDP, while the i7-4910MQ has a 47-watt TDP. This means the i5-8269U delivers better performance while drawing less power, which is a direct result of the newer manufacturing process and architecture.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is where they diverge: the i5-8269U has 6 MB shared, while the i7-4910MQ has 8 MB shared. Despite having 2 MB more L3 cache, the i7-4910MQ still loses in every benchmark, which indicates that the architectural efficiency of the i5-8269U outweighs the raw cache advantage of the older part.

Memory support also differs. The i5-8269U supports DDR4 memory, while the i7-4910MQ supports DDR3 memory. The i7-4910MQ has a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-8269U does not have a recorded memory bus or bandwidth specification. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The i7-4910MQ also has a recorded PCIe specification of Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-8269U does not have a recorded PCIe specification.

The integrated graphics are another point of divergence. The i5-8269U comes with Iris Pro Plus graphics, while the i7-4910MQ has Intel HD 4600. The transistor count and die size also reflect the generational gap. The i7-4910MQ has 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, while the i5-8269U has no recorded transistor count but a smaller die size of 123 mm². The i7-4910MQ is marked as end-of-life production status, while the i5-8269U is still active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-8269U has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-4910MQ has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the i5-8269U in the Cinebench R23 multicore test?

A: The i5-8269U scores 6044 points, and the i7-4910MQ scores 5326 points. The i5-8269U leads by 13.5%.

Q: Does the i7-4910MQ have more L3 cache?

A: Yes, the i7-4910MQ has 8 MB shared L3 cache, while the i5-8269U has 6 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two processors?

A: The i5-8269U has a TDP of 28 watts, and the i7-4910MQ has a TDP of 47 watts.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No, the i5-8269U has an active production status, while the i7-4910MQ is marked as end-of-life.

Q: What generation of Intel Core does each processor belong to?

A: The i5-8269U belongs to the Core i5 Kaby Lake-U Refresh generation, and the i7-4910MQ belongs to the Core i7 Haswell generation.

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data.

| Field | Intel Core i5-8269U | Intel Core i7-4910MQ |

| base clock 2.60 GHz | base clock 2.90 GHz | boost clock 4.20 GHz | boost clock 3.90 GHz | TDP 28 W | TDP 47 W | socket Intel BGA 1356 | socket Intel Socket G3 | architecture Kaby Lake | architecture Haswell | codename Kaby Lake-R | codename Haswell | generation Core i5 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) | generation Core i7 (Haswell) | process node 14 nm | process node 22 nm | die size 123 mm² | die size 177 mm² | L3 cache 6 MB shared | L3 cache 8 MB shared | memory support DDR4 | memory support DDR3 | memory bus (not recorded) | memory bus dual-channel | memory bandwidth (not recorded) | memory bandwidth 25.6 GB/s | PCIe (not recorded) | PCIe Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | integrated graphics Iris Pro Plus | integrated graphics Intel HD 4600 | production status Active | production status End-of-life | release date 2018-04-04 | release date 2014-01-19 | launch MSRP (not recorded) | launch MSRP $570 | part number (not recorded) | part number SR1PT | transistors (not recorded) | transistors 1,400 million |

Both processors share the same core count of 4, the same thread count of 8, the same Intel manufacturer, the same L1 cache of 64 KB per core, the same L2 cache of 256 KB per core, and neither supports ECC memory. Both also have locked multipliers.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The Intel Core i5-8269U wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 13.3% to 13.7%. The i7-4910MQ does not win a single test. The i5-8269U achieves this while operating at a lower TDP of 28 watts, compared to 47 watts for the i7-4910MQ. It also uses a newer 14 nm process node, a smaller die size of 123 mm², and DDR4 memory support. The i7-8269U has a higher boost clock at 4.20 GHz, and it has a higher average benchmark score of 41st percentile, but the i5-8269U also sits at 41st percentile. The i7-4910MQ has advantages in L3 cache size, base clock, memory bandwidth, and features a larger die. However, none of those advantages translate into benchmark wins. The data indicates that the i7-4910MQ is simply outclassed by the newer architecture.

The i7-8269U is the stronger processor for users who prioritize performance per watt. The i7-4910MQ has a higher launch MSRP of $570, but the i5-8269U has a higher launch MSRP of $570.

Users should pick the i5-8269U if they need DDR4 memory or a lower power draw. The i5-8269U also has a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, and it has a higher average benchmark score of 41st percentile.

Users should pick the i5-8269U if they need DDR4 memory or a lower TDP of 28 watts.

Users should pick the i5-8269U if they need DDR4 memory or a lower power draw. The i5-8269U also has a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, and it has a higher average benchmark score of 41st percentile.

Users should pick the i5-8269U if they need DDR4 memory or a lower TDP of 28 watts.

The i5-8269U has a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz, and it has a higher average benchmark score of 41st percentile.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-8269U wins in every recorded benchmark category. In single-core tests, the i5-8269U leads by 13.3% in Cinebench R15, 13.7% in Cinebench R20, and 13.4% in Cinebench R23. In multicore tests, the i5-8269U leads by 13.6% in Cinebench R15, 13.5% in Cinebench R20, and 13.5% in Cinebench R23. There are no recorded benchmarks where the i7-4910MQ wins. The i7-4910MQ does have Geekbench scores recorded, but the i5-8269U does not have comparable Geekbench data, so no comparison is possible there.

For workloads that rely on single-threaded performance, the i5-8269U is the clear pick. For workloads that scale across all cores, the i5-8269U also holds the edge. The i7-4910MQ has no use-case advantage based on the recorded data. The i5-8269U is the better choice for both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, and it does so with a lower TDP. The i7-4910MQ offers a larger L3 cache and a higher base clock, but those features do not show up as any performance benefit in the benchmark results. The i5-8269U remains active in production, while the i7-4910MQ is end-of-life, further reinforcing the recommendation to choose the newer part.