Intel Core i7-4790T vs Intel Core i7-4860HQ Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins the majority of head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790T wins 7 of the 8 recorded comparisons. The only victory for the Intel Core i7-4860HQ comes in Geekbench multicore, where it scores 3527 versus 3520, a margin of 0.2%.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: The i7-4790T leads by 14.2% in Geekbench single-core (1193 vs 1045). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap is smaller at 1.6% (759 vs 747).

Q: Are these CPUs from the same architecture generation?

A: Both use Intel's 22 nm Haswell architecture, but the i7-4790T carries the "Haswell" codename while the i7-4860HQ uses "Crystalwell". Both have 1,400 million transistors.

Q: Do they support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The i7-4790T includes Intel HD 4600, while the i7-4860HQ features Intel HD 5200. This is a notable difference for users relying on the iGPU.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-4790T boosts to 3.90 GHz, while the i7-4860HQ reaches 3.60 GHz. The base clocks are 2.70 GHz and 2.40 GHz respectively.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 22 nm process and share the Haswell microarchitecture, but they diverge in several important physical and feature-level details. The i7-4790T is a desktop part using Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-4860HQ is a mobile processor soldered to Intel BGA 1364. This socket difference dictates their intended platforms: the former drops into standard desktop motherboards, the latter is found in laptops and all-in-one systems.

The die size differs substantially: the i7-4790T measures 177 mm², whereas the i7-4860HQ is significantly larger at 264 mm². Both integrate 1,400 million transistors, so the larger die on the mobile chip is not due to more compute cores. The extra area likely stems from the more capable integrated graphics and additional on-package components associated with Crystalwell. The i7-4860HQ uses Intel HD 5200, which is a higher-tier iGPU than the HD 4600 found in the i7-4790T. This makes the mobile chip more attractive for GPU-light workloads.

Cache allocation also differs. The i7-4790T has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-4860HQ has 6 MB. Both share the same L1 layout at 64 KB per core and L2 at 256 KB per core. The extra 2 MB of L3 on the desktop chip could benefit certain cache-sensitive workloads, though benchmark results show the overall performance difference is modest.

Clock speeds favor the i7-4790T. Its base clock is 2.70 GHz and boost reaches 3.90 GHz. The i7-4860HQ runs at 2.40 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. TDP is close: 45 W for the desktop part versus 47 W for the mobile part, despite the mobile chip being designed for thermally constrained environments. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, ruling out easy overclocking on either side.

Both CPUs support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, and both offer PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The release dates are close, with the i7-4790T arriving on 2014-04-30 and the i7-4860HQ on 2014-01-31. Both are end-of-life products.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i7-4790T as the stronger performer for most workloads. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, including every Cinebench iteration and the Geekbench single-core test. The desktop chip also offers a higher boost clock and more L3 cache, which helps explain its consistent lead. If you are building or upgrading a desktop system on Socket 1150, the i7-4790T is the clear choice from these two.

The i7-4860HQ is not without merit, but its advantages are narrower. It wins only Geekbench multicore by a hair (3527 vs 3520, 0.2%), and it carries Intel HD 5200 graphics, which are more capable than the HD 4600 in the i7-4790T. For a mobile platform where discrete GPUs are often absent or weak, the better iGPU matters. The i7-4860HQ also has a similar TDP at 47 W, so it is not a power efficiency win either.

For pure CPU compute, the i7-4790T is the pick. For a laptop or compact mobile system where the integrated graphics will be used daily, the i7-4860HQ justifies itself. Neither chip is a modern flagship, but within their respective sockets and platforms, they serve different purposes. The desktop part is about consistent single-thread and multi-thread performance; the mobile part is about balancing CPU output with a stronger iGPU in a BGA package.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i7-4790T | Intel Core i7-4860HQ |

|-------|---------------------|----------------------|

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 47 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1364 |

| Codename | Haswell | Crystalwell |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 264 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 5200 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2014-04-30 | 2014-01-31 |

| Part Number | SR1QS | SR1BP |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-4790T establishes a narrow but consistent lead across Cinebench workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 541 versus 533, a 1.5% advantage. Single-core R15 shows 76 versus 75, a 1.3% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore gap stays at 1.5% (2258 vs 2224), and single-core reaches 1.6% (318 vs 313). Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern: multicore 5378 vs 5297 (1.5%), single-core 759 vs 747 (1.6%). These margins are small in absolute terms, but they repeat consistently across all three Cinebench versions, indicating the i7-4790T's higher clocks translate into steady gains in rendering and CPU-bound tasks.

Geekbench results tell a mixed story. In multicore, the i7-4860HQ wins narrowly: 3527 versus 3520, a 0.2% difference. This is within normal run-to-run variation, but the recorded data shows the mobile chip edging ahead. The single-core Geekbench test, however, is a decisive win for the i7-4790T: 1193 versus 1045, a 14.2% margin. This is the largest performance gap in the entire comparison. The i7-4790T's boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz likely drives this substantial single-thread advantage.

Looking at the overall average benchmark score, the i7-4790T sits at 1755, while the i7-4860HQ averages 1720. The desktop chip also ranks in the 41st percentile among all CPUs, matching the i7-4860HQ's percentile. The nearest rivals for the i7-4790T include the Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 (avg score 1756, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-5675C (avg score 1759, delta -0.2%). For the i7-4860HQ, the closest competitor is the AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE (avg score 1722, delta -0.1%), followed by the Intel Core i7-4910MQ (avg score 1716, delta 0.3%). These rival comparisons place both chips in similar performance tiers, with the i7-4790T holding a slight edge.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-4790T is the winner for single-threaded applications. The 14.2% lead in Geekbench single-core is the standout result, and it also wins every Cinebench single-core test by 1.3% to 1.6%. For day-to-day desktop use, web browsing, document editing, and older software that relies on one or two threads, the i7-4790T will feel snappier. Its higher boost clock and larger L3 cache support this advantage.

In multi-threaded workloads, the i7-4790T also leads across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, albeit by a small 1.5% margin. Rendering, video encoding, and compilation tasks that scale across 8 threads will see a modest but measurable benefit from the desktop chip. The Geekbench multicore result is the exception, where the i7-4860HQ wins by 0.2%, but this single data point does not outweigh the consistent Cinebench results.

The i7-4860HQ's clearest win is its integrated graphics. Intel HD 5200 is a higher-tier iGPU than HD 4600, making the mobile chip better suited for systems without a discrete GPU. Light gaming at low settings, hardware video decoding, and general desktop compositing will benefit. The mobile form factor also means the i7-4860HQ is the only option for laptops and compact BGA platforms. Its 47 W TDP is only 2 W higher than the desktop part, so it does not sacrifice much in power efficiency for its mobility.

For a desktop builder, the i7-4790T is the obvious pick. For someone assembling a portable system where the CPU and GPU share a single package, the i7-4860HQ has a real advantage. The benchmark data shows the i7-4790T is generally faster, but the i7-4860HQ wins where graphics matter and where the socket dictates the platform. Choose based on your motherboard or laptop chassis first, then let the performance data guide the rest.