Intel Core i7-4810MQ vs Intel Core i7-970 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits cleanly between the two processors. The Intel Core i7-970 takes six of the six recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i7-4810MQ does not win a single one. That is a dominant sweep in the database's direct comparison runs.

The largest gap appears in the multicore tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-970 scores 562 against 516 for the i7-4810MQ, a delta of 8.2% in favor of the Gulftown chip. The R20 multicore result repeats the pattern: 2342 vs 2154, again 8% ahead. The R23 multicore test shows 5577 against 5129, a delta of 8% once more. The single-core tests tell a similar story, though with slightly smaller gaps. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-970 posts 79 against 72, a 8.9% lead. R20 single-core shows 330 versus 304, a 7.9% difference. The R23 single-core run has the elder chip at 787 versus 724, an 8% advantage.

The pattern is consistent across every test: the Intel Core i7-970 holds a lead of roughly 8% in each workload. The i7-4810MQ, while competitive, trails in every single one of the six recorded benchmarks. The data suggests the desktop-oriented Gulftown part is the stronger performer across the board, with no workload category where the mobile chip takes the top spot.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations. The Intel Core i7-4810MQ uses the Haswell architecture and carries the codename Haswell. It is built on a 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It is a quad-core, eight-thread part with a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost of 3.80 GHz. The chip integrates the Intel HD 4600 graphics solution, so it does not require a separate discrete GPU for basic display tasks.

The Intel Core i7-970, in contrast, is a Westmere architecture part with the codename Gulftown. It is built on a 32 nm process with 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. This is a six-core, twelve-thread processor running at 3.20 GHz base and 3.47 GHz boost. It has no integrated graphics of its own, so the platform must supply a discrete graphics solution.

Both chips support DDR3 memory, but the i7-4810MQ does so on a dual-channel bus. The i7-970 uses triple-channel memory access. Neither part supports ECC memory in the database. The i7-4810MQ uses Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes of CPU-only connectivity, while the i7-970 lists Gen 2 PCIe. The i7-4810MQ has no multiplier unlocked, and the i7-970 also runs with a locked multiplier.

The i7-4810MQ is a mobile-market part and is listed as end-of-life. The i7-970 is a desktop-market chip that is also end-of-life. The mobile part launched in January 2014 at a launch MSRP of $378, and the desktop chip launched in July 2010. The mobile part carries the SR1PV part number, while the desktop part uses SLBVF.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multicore test puts the i7-970 8.2% ahead of the i7-4810MQ, with scores of 562 and 516. In single-core, the i7-970 again leads, 79 versus 72, a 8.9% margin. The gap narrows only slightly in the newer Cinebench releases. In Cinebench R20 multicore, the i7-970 scores 2342 against 2154, an 8% lead. The single-core run shows 330 versus 304, a 7.9% margin. In R23 multicore, the i7-970 records 5577 against 5129, again 8% higher. Single-core R23 shows 787 versus 724, which is 8% higher for the desktop chip.

The database shows no single test where the i7-4810MQ comes out ahead. The i7-970 dominates every discipline, but the margins are not extreme. The larger core and thread count is the obvious explanation. Six Haswell cores with twelve threads simply outpace a quad-core part with eight threads in heavily threaded workloads, and the higher base and boost clocks on the i7-970 also help in single-thread tests.

The i7-4810MQ does post competitive scores in absolute terms, and in mobile form factor the scores are respectable, but the i7-970 is consistently ahead. For a user with a desktop platform and access to a discrete GPU, the i7-970 is the stronger CPU in this match-up. The i7-4810MQ is better suited to mobile situations where the integrated GPU is needed.

Specification Differences

The core differences start with the socket. The i7-4810MQ is an Intel Socket G3 part; the i7-970 is an Intel Socket 1366 part. The i7-4810MQ is a quad-core with Hyper-Threading for eight threads. The i7-970 is a six-core, twelve-thread chip. The i7-4810MQ runs at 2.80 GHz base, 3.80 GHz turbo. The i7-970 runs 3.20 GHz base, 3.47 GHz turbo. The mobile part has a 47W TDP, while the desktop part has a 130W TDP.

Architecture separates them. The i7-4810MQ is Haswell, 22nm, while the i7-970 is Westmere, 32nm. The i7-4810MQ die is 177mm; the i7-970 die is 239mm. Transistor counts are 1,400 million and 1,170 million. Cache: the i7-4810MQ has 64KB L1 per core, 256KB L2 per core and 6MB shared L3. The i7-970 has 64KB L1 per core, 256KB L2 per core, and 12MB shared L3.

Memory support: both are limited to DDR3. The i7-4810MQ runs dual-channel memory, the i7-970 runs triple-channel. Neither supports ECC. PCIe: Gen 3 for the i7-4810MQ with 16 lanes, Gen 2 for the i7-970. The i7-4810MQ has HD 4600 integrated graphics, the i7-970 has none. The i7-4810MQ is a mobile segment chip, the i7-970 is desktop segment.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core tests?

A: Intel Core i7-970 is faster in all six multicore tests in the database. It leads by 8% in Cinebench R15 multi, R20 multi and R23 multi. The i7-4810MQ is consistently ahead in single-core by the same margin.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-4810MQ have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it ships with Intel HD 4600 graphics. The Intel Core i7-970 has no integrated graphics; a discrete GPU is required.

Q: Are these two CPUs compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i7-4810MQ is Socket G3 (Intel Socket G3), while the i7-970 is socket Intel Socket 1366. The boards are not interchangeable.

Q: Which chip has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-970 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-4810MQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the memory specs?

A: Both support DDR3 only. The i7-4810MQ runs dual channel, the i7-970 runs triple channel. ECC is not supported on either one.

Q: When did each ship?

A: The i7-4810MQ shipped in January 2014 at $378 launch MSRP. The i7-970 shipped in July 2010; the database has no launch price for the i7-970. Both parts are marked end-of-life, the i7-4810MQ is mobile, the i7-970 is desktop.