Intel Core i7-4790T vs Intel Core i7-4870HQ Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a curious case of near-parity with a few distinct twists. The Intel Core i7-4870HQ and Intel Core i7-4790T are both Haswell-based, 4-core, 8-thread parts, and their average benchmark scores are only 14 points apart (1769 vs 1755). The i7-4790T wins the majority of head-to-head tests (6 out of 8), but the i7-4870HQ takes the most decisive victory in the entire comparison.

Looking strictly at the numbers, the i7-4790T is the safer pick for general compute. It edges ahead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core runs, albeit by margins of just 0.2% to 0.3%. The i7-4870HQ, however, delivers a significant 5.1% win in Geekbench multi-core (3701 vs 3520), which suggests it may have an advantage in specific workloads that Geekbench stresses more heavily. The i7-4790T also counters with a 4.2% lead in Geekbench single-core (1193 vs 1143).

The verdict from the data: if you prioritize consistent, if marginal, wins across a broad suite of rendering and compute tasks, the i7-4790T is the choice. If you are chasing the highest multi-threaded Geekbench score, the i7-4870HQ is the one. Given that the i7-4790T achieves this with a slightly lower TDP (45W vs 47W), it is also the more efficient option on paper. The i7-4870HQ is a mobile part (BGA 1364) while the i7-4790T is a desktop chip (Socket 1150), so platform availability will likely dictate the real-world decision more than the performance deltas, which are mostly negligible.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-4790T establishes its dominance in the Cinebench suite, which is a proxy for 3D rendering and sustained multi-threaded CPU workloads. It wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (541 vs 540), R20 multi-core (2258 vs 2253), and R23 multi-core (5378 vs 5366). It also takes the single-core variants in those same tests, though the margins are microscopic (76 vs 76 in R15, 318 vs 317 in R20, 759 vs 757 in R23). This suggests that for rendering tasks that scale across cores and threads, the i7-4790T holds a slight but consistent edge.

The i7-4870HQ, by contrast, wins the Geekbench multi-core test decisively (3701 vs 3520, a 5.1% gap). This is a significant outlier compared to the Cinebench results, indicating that the two CPUs respond differently to the specific workloads Geekbench uses. Geekbench often includes memory latency, encryption, and compression tests alongside more traditional integer and floating-point operations. The i7-4870HQ’s larger die size (264 mm² vs 177 mm²) and its integrated graphics (Intel HD 5200 vs HD 4600) might influence these results, though the benchmark data itself does not specify the cause. The i7-4790T still wins Geekbench single-core (1193 vs 1143), which aligns with its higher base clock (2.70 GHz vs 2.50 GHz) and boost clock (3.90 GHz vs 3.70 GHz).

In terms of benchmark wins, the i7-4790T takes 6 out of 8 head-to-head tests. The i7-4870HQ takes only 2, but one of those is the largest delta in the entire set. For users running Cinebench-style workloads (e.g., video rendering, 3D modeling), the i7-4790T is the data-backed winner. For users whose tasks resemble Geekbench's multi-core mix, the i7-4870HQ is the one to watch.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel’s 22 nm process and use the Haswell architecture, with the same 1,400 million transistors. The key architectural differences lie in the die size, cache, socket, and integrated graphics. The i7-4870HQ has a die size of 264 mm², while the i7-4790T is significantly smaller at 177 mm². This size difference is notable because both have the same transistor count.

The cache configuration differs in the L3 cache: the i7-4870HQ has 6 MB shared L3, while the i7-4790T has 8 MB shared L3. The L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) caches are identical. The larger L3 cache on the i7-4790T likely contributes to its slight edge in Cinebench and Geekbench single-core tests, where cache hierarchy plays a crucial role in reducing memory latency.

The i7-4870HQ is part of the Crystalwell family, which historically includes a larger die due to the embedded graphics memory, though the fact pack does not list that specific feature. Its integrated graphics is the Intel HD 5200, whereas the i7-4790T uses the Intel HD 4600. Both support DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Both also have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The socket differences are fundamental: the i7-4870HQ is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1364, and the i7-4790T is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1150. The i7-4870HQ also has a slightly higher TDP (47W vs 45W), which is unusual given it is the mobile part.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790T has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-4870HQ boosts to 3.70 GHz.

Q: Does the i7-4870HQ have a larger L3 cache than the i7-4790T?

A: No, the opposite is true. The i7-4790T has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-4870HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which CPU wins in Geekbench multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-4870HQ wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 3701, which is 5.1% higher than the i7-4790T's score of 3520.

Q: Are both CPUs based on the same process node?

A: Yes, both are built on Intel’s 22 nm process node and use the Haswell architecture.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-4790T has a TDP of 45W, while the i7-4870HQ has a TDP of 47W.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i7-4870HQ has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1769, compared to the i7-4790T's 1755. However, the i7-4790T wins more individual head-to-head tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head comparison is the Geekbench multi-core test. The i7-4870HQ scores 3701, while the i7-4790T scores 3520. That is a 5.1% delta, making it the only test where the winner's margin exceeds 1%. This is a substantial outlier given that the Cinebench results are all within 0.3% of each other. The data suggests that the i7-4870HQ's architecture or memory subsystem handles the Geekbench multi-core workload more efficiently, despite having a smaller L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB) and a lower base clock (2.50 GHz vs 2.70 GHz).

In Geekbench single-core, the tables turn. The i7-4790T scores 1193 versus the i7-4870HQ's 1143, a 4.2% advantage. This is the second-largest delta in the entire comparison. The i7-4790T's higher boost clock (3.90 GHz) and larger L3 cache likely contribute to this win, as single-core performance is more sensitive to clock speed and cache latency.

The Cinebench results are a study in near-perfect parity. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-4790T wins 541 to 540 (a 0.2% delta). In R20 multi-core, it wins 2258 to 2253 (also 0.2%). In R23 multi-core, it wins 5378 to 5366 (0.2% again). The single-core results are similarly tight: R15 is a tie at 76, R20 sees the i7-4790T ahead 318 to 317 (0.3%), and R23 sees it ahead 759 to 757 (0.3%). These margins are within run-to-run variance, meaning that for practical purposes, the two CPUs are functionally identical in Cinebench workloads.

The overall win count is 6 for the i7-4790T and 2 for the i7-4870HQ. The i7-4790T is the consistent, if marginal, winner across most tests. The i7-4870HQ is the big-swing winner in Geekbench multi-core, which is the test that most suggests a real architectural difference rather than just clock speed variation.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in the following specification fields:

• Base Clock: The i7-4870HQ has a base clock of 2.50 GHz, while the i7-4790T has a base clock of 2.70 GHz.
• Boost Clock: The i7-4870HQ boosts to 3.70 GHz, while the i7-4790T boosts to 3.90 GHz.
• TDP: The i7-4870HQ has a TDP of 47W, while the i7-4790T has a TDP of 45W.
• Socket: The i7-4870HQ uses Intel BGA 1364 (mobile), while the i7-4790T uses Intel Socket 1150 (desktop).
• Codename: The i7-4870HQ is codenamed Crystalwell, while the i7-4790T is codenamed Haswell.
• Die Size: The i7-4870HQ has a die size of 264 mm², while the i7-4790T has a die size of 177 mm².
• L3 Cache: The i7-4870HQ has 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the i7-4790T has 8 MB shared L3 cache.
• Integrated Graphics: The i7-4870HQ features Intel HD 5200, while the i7-4790T features Intel HD 4600.
• Market Segment: The i7-4870HQ is a mobile part, while the i7-4790T is a desktop part.
• Release Date: The i7-4870HQ was released on 2014-06-30, while the i7-4790T was released on 2014-04-30.
• Part Number: The i7-4870HQ is SR1ZX, while the i7-4790T is SR1QS.

All other fields are identical: both have 4 cores, 8 threads, 22 nm process, 1,400 million transistors, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, no ECC memory, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, no unlocked multiplier, and have reached end-of-life production status.