Intel Core i7-4790T vs Intel Core i7-4910MQ Comparison

FAQ

Q: What are the core and thread counts of the Intel Core i7-4790T and the Intel Core i7-4910MQ?

A: Both processors have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i7-4910MQ has a base clock of 2.90 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-4790T has a base clock of 2.70 GHz.

Q: Do these two CPUs share the same integrated graphics?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-4790T and the Intel Core i7-4910MQ feature Intel HD 4600 graphics.

Q: What is the difference in their average benchmark scores?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790T has an average benchmark score of 1755, while the Intel Core i7-4910MQ has an average score of 1716.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core Geekbench score?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790T scores 1193 in Geekbench single-core, compared to 1116 for the Intel Core i7-4910MQ, a delta of 6.9%.

Q: What is the market segment for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-4790T is a Desktop processor, while the Intel Core i7-4910MQ is a Mobile processor.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-4790T wins all eight recorded head-to-head comparisons. The largest advantage appears in Geekbench tests, where the desktop chip leads by 4.5% in multicore and 6.9% in single-core. In Cinebench workloads, the margins are narrower, ranging from 0.9% to 1.3% across R15, R20, and R23 versions. The i7-4910MQ does not win a single recorded test, so there is no benchmark category where it takes a lead.

For users prioritizing absolute performance in the recorded tests, the i7-4790T is the clear choice. The i7-4910MQ, however, fits a specific use case: it is a mobile processor on the Intel Socket G3 platform, making it relevant for laptop upgrades or repairs where the desktop socket 1150 cannot be used. The data shows that in pure score terms, the i7-4790T is ahead, but the i7-4910MQ offers a comparable level of performance (within 2.3% average score difference) in a mobile form factor.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on the same Haswell architecture, codenamed Haswell, and both belong to the Core i7 (Haswell) generation. They share the same 22 nm process node, the same foundry (Intel), and identical transistor counts of 1,400 million. The die size is also identical at 177 mm². The cache hierarchy matches as well: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both feature 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU.

The key architectural difference is not in the silicon itself but in the platform. The i7-4790T uses the Intel Socket 1150, a desktop socket, while the i7-4910MQ uses the Intel Socket G3, a mobile socket. Both support dual-channel DDR3 memory with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The integrated graphics solution is the same Intel HD 4600. Since the core design, process, and cache are identical, the performance differences recorded in the benchmarks stem from clock frequency and platform-specific power or thermal constraints.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs share many specifications, but a few fields differ. The base clock is different: the i7-4790T runs at 2.70 GHz, while the i7-4910MQ runs at 2.90 GHz. The boost clock is the same for both at 3.90 GHz. Thermal design power differs slightly: the i7-4790T is rated at 45 W, and the i7-4910MQ at 47 W. The sockets are different as noted: Socket 1150 for the desktop part versus Socket G3 for the mobile part. The market segment differs: Desktop versus Mobile. The release dates also differ: the i7-4790T was released on 2014-04-30, while the i7-4910MQ was released earlier on 2014-01-19. The i7-4910MQ has a launch MSRP of $570; the i7-4790T has no listed launch MSRP. Part numbers differ as well: SR1QS for the i7-4790T and SR1PT for the i7-4910MQ. Both are end-of-life products, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-4790T scores 541 against 536 for the i7-4910MQ, a 0.9% lead. The single-core R15 result is 76 versus 75, a 1.3% advantage. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore scores are 2258 versus 2236, a 1% difference, and single-core scores are 318 versus 315, also 1% ahead. Cinebench R23 shows the same pattern: multicore 5378 versus 5326 (1% lead) and single-core 759 versus 752 (0.9% lead). The Geekbench results offer the most pronounced gaps. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-4790T scores 3520 against 3368 for the i7-4910MQ, a 4.5% delta. In Geekbench single-core, the i7-4790T scores 1193 against 1116, a 6.9% delta, the largest margin in any test.

The data shows that the i7-4790T is consistently ahead, but the size of the advantage varies by workload. In Cinebench tests, which are heavily multi-threaded and stress sustained performance, the lead is small, under 1.5% in all cases. In Geekbench, which includes more varied workloads, the lead grows to nearly 7% in single-core. This suggests the i7-4790T benefits from a more favorable power envelope or thermal environment in the desktop socket, despite having a lower base clock. The i7-4910MQ's higher base clock (2.90 GHz) does not translate into a performance win, likely because the mobile platform constrains sustained boost behavior.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the Intel Core i7-4790T is the superior processor in every benchmark test. It wins all eight head-to-head comparisons, with the largest margins in Geekbench (4.5% multicore, 6.9% single-core). Its average benchmark score of 1755 also places it slightly above the i7-4910MQ's 1716. Both CPUs sit at the 41st percentile of all CPUs in the database, meaning they are closely matched in overall standing. The i7-4790T's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E3-1241 v3 (average score 1756, delta -0.1%) and the Intel Core i5-5675C (1759, -0.2%), indicating it sits in a tight performance cluster. The i7-4910MQ's nearest rivals are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U (1715, 0% delta) and the Intel Core i7-990X (1713, 0.2%), showing it is equally well-positioned among similar-scoring parts.

For a desktop user, the i7-4790T is the clear pick based on benchmark results. It offers the same core architecture as the mobile part but with a small but consistent performance edge. For a laptop user, the i7-4910MQ is the only option that fits the Socket G3 platform, and it delivers performance within 2.3% of the desktop part on average. The choice ultimately comes down to platform compatibility: if the system uses Socket 1150, the i7-4790T is the better performer; if the system uses Socket G3, the i7-4910MQ is the appropriate part despite slightly lower scores. Neither processor is unlocked, and both are end-of-life, so the decision rests on existing hardware rather than new builds. The data does not support choosing the i7-4910MQ for raw speed, but it remains a viable mobile alternative with nearly equivalent Cinebench results.