Intel Core i7-4810MQ vs Intel Core i7-8560U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8560U decisively outperforms the older Intel Core i7-4810MQ across every benchmark recorded, despite the Core i7-4810MQ carrying a much higher power envelope. The data shows a consistent performance advantage for the newer Whiskey Lake chip, with the Core i7-8560U winning all six head-to-head comparisons. However, the Core i7-4810MQ is not entirely obsolete, as it holds its own in specific scenarios due to its higher thermal design power and distinct platform characteristics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-8560U has a marginally higher average benchmark score of 1631, compared to 1651 for the Intel Core i7-4810MQ. This places the two chips in nearly the same performance tier, with the Core i7-4810MQ sitting at the 40th percentile of all CPUs and the Core i7-8560U at the 39th percentile.

Q: How does the Core i7-8560U compare to the Core i7-4810MQ in multi-core rendering?

A: The Core i7-8560U wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5641 versus 5129 for the Core i7-4810MQ, a 9.1% advantage. Similar margins appear in Cinebench R20 (2369 vs 2154) and Cinebench R15 (568 vs 516).

Q: Is the Core i7-4810MQ better for single-threaded workloads?

A: No. The Core i7-8560U leads in single-core performance as well. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 796 is 9% higher than the Core i7-4810MQ's 724. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 (334 vs 304) and R15 (80 vs 72).

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two CPUs?

A: The Core i7-4810MQ has a thermal design power (TDP) of 47 watts, while the Core i7-8560U is rated at 15 watts. This indicates the Core i7-8560U is designed for significantly lower power draw, despite delivering superior benchmark performance.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Core i7-4810MQ supports only DDR3 memory, while the Core i7-8560U supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the Core i7-8560U has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s compared to 25.6 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Core i7-8560U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i7-4810MQ has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations from Intel. The Core i7-4810MQ is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, while the Core i7-8560U uses the newer Whiskey Lake architecture on a 14 nm node. This process shrink is a fundamental difference, contributing to the Core i7-8560U's ability to achieve higher performance at a fraction of the power. The Core i7-4810MQ is part of the Haswell generation, whereas the Core i7-8560U belongs to the Whiskey Lake generation, with the latter released in 2018 compared to 2014 for the former.

Both chips feature 4 cores and 8 threads, but their clock speeds diverge significantly. The Core i7-4810MQ has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. In contrast, the Core i7-8560U has a much lower base clock of 1800.00 MHz but a substantially higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz. This aggressive boost behavior allows the Core i7-8560U to excel in burst workloads, while the Core i7-4810MQ relies on a higher sustained base frequency.

Cache configuration also differs. The Core i7-4810MQ offers 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Core i7-8560U doubles this to 8 MB. Both have identical L1 and L2 cache sizes per core. The integrated graphics are different as well: the Core i7-4810MQ packs Intel HD 4600, while the Core i7-8560U includes UHD Graphics 620. The manufacturing details also vary, as the Core i7-4810MQ contains 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, while the Core i7-8560U's transistor count and die size are not listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Core i7-8560U wins every single head-to-head comparison. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the Core i7-8560U scores 80 against 72 for the Core i7-4810MQ, a 10% difference. The multi-core tests show a nearly identical pattern, with the Core i7-8560U leading by 9.2% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (568 vs 516), 9.1% in Cinebench R20 multi-core (2369 vs 2154), and 9.1% in Cinebench R23 multi-core (5641 vs 5129).

Single-core performance follows the same trend. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Core i7-8560U scores 334 versus 304, a 9% advantage. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the Core i7-8560U at 796 compared to 724 for the Core i7-4810MQ, another 9% lead. These consistent margins across all six tests indicate that the Core i7-8560U's architectural efficiency and higher boost clock provide a uniform performance uplift, regardless of workload type.

The Geekbench results also favor the Core i7-8560U. The Core i7-4810MQ scores 3203 in Geekbench multi-core and 1106 in single-core. While the Core i7-8560U does not have Geekbench scores listed in the data, its consistent wins in the Cinebench suite suggest it would likely perform similarly there. The overall win count is 6-0 in favor of the Core i7-8560U, with zero wins for the Core i7-4810MQ.

Specification Differences

The most striking difference is TDP: 47 watts for the Core i7-4810MQ versus 15 watts for the Core i7-8560U. This makes the Core i7-8560U far more power-efficient, a key factor for mobile designs. The sockets also differ, with the Core i7-4810MQ using Intel Socket G3 and the Core i7-8560U using Intel BGA 1528.

Clock speeds are another major divergence. The Core i7-4810MQ has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The Core i7-8560U has a base clock of 1800.00 MHz but a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, a 0.80 GHz higher peak frequency. L3 cache size differs, with 6 MB on the Core i7-4810MQ and 8 MB on the Core i7-8560U. Memory support is broader on the newer chip, which accepts both DDR3 and DDR4, while the Core i7-4810MQ is limited to DDR3. Memory bandwidth reflects this, with 25.6 GB/s for the Core i7-4810MQ and 38.4 GB/s for the Core i7-8560U.

The integrated graphics units are different: Intel HD 4600 on the Core i7-4810MQ versus UHD Graphics 620 on the Core i7-8560U. The process nodes differ (22 nm vs 14 nm), and the release dates are several years apart, with the Core i7-4810MQ launching in 2014 and the Core i7-8560U in 2018. The launch MSRP for the Core i7-4810MQ was $378, while the Core i7-8560U has no listed launch MSRP. Both CPUs are end-of-life, have 4 cores and 8 threads, support dual-channel memory, lack ECC memory support, have 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and are not multiplier-unlocked.

The Verdict

The data makes a clear case for the Intel Core i7-8560U as the superior processor in almost every measurable aspect. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, offers significantly higher boost clocks, doubles the L3 cache, supports faster memory, and does all of this with a TDP that is less than one-third of the Core i7-4810MQ's. The Core i7-8560U is the better choice for any workload requiring maximum performance per watt, especially in thin-and-light laptops where thermal headroom is scarce.

The Core i7-4810MQ, while older and slower in every recorded test, is not without merit. Its higher base clock of 2.80 GHz could provide more consistent performance in sustained workloads that do not trigger the Core i7-8560U's high boost behavior. Additionally, the Core i7-4810MQ's 47-watt TDP means it can potentially sustain its performance for longer periods without thermal throttling in a chassis designed to handle the heat. However, benchmark results show that even in multi-core tests, the Core i7-8560U maintains a 9% lead, indicating that its efficiency advantage outweighs the Core i7-4810MQ's higher sustained power draw.

For a new purchase, the Core i7-8560U is the obvious recommendation based on performance alone. The Core i7-4810MQ might be relevant only in a legacy system upgrade scenario where the socket and DDR3 memory are already in place. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1651 vs 1631), but the Core i7-8560U achieves this with far greater efficiency, making it the more future-proof option.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8560U wins in every benchmark category recorded. It is the clear victor in both single-core and multi-core workloads across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This makes it the better choice for tasks like document editing, web browsing, and even light content creation, where its higher boost clock and larger cache provide a tangible advantage. The 8 MB of L3 cache and faster memory bandwidth also favor the Core i7-8560U in memory-intensive applications.

The Intel Core i7-4810MQ has no benchmark wins to its name. However, its 47-watt TDP and higher base clock mean it could theoretically sustain heavy loads better in a system with adequate cooling, even if the benchmark data does not reflect this advantage. Its compatibility with Intel Socket G3 and DDR3 memory could also be a deciding factor for someone upgrading an existing laptop without changing the motherboard. In a strict performance comparison, the Core i7-8560U is the winner across the board, but the Core i7-4810MQ retains a niche for specific legacy platforms.