Intel Core i7-4910MQ vs Intel Core i7-980 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4910MQ and the Intel Core i7-980 represent two very different approaches to desktop and mobile computing, separated by roughly three years of architectural evolution. The data shows a clear performance hierarchy: the older six-core i7-980 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, yet the i7-4910MQ achieves this deficit while consuming less than half the power and fitting into a mobile socket. This is a battle between raw core count and modern efficiency, where the final choice depends entirely on whether the workload lives on a desk or in a backpack.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-980 is the undisputed winner in every measurable benchmark category. Its six physical cores and twelve threads give it a structural advantage that the i7-4910MQ’s four cores and eight threads cannot overcome, regardless of the newer architecture. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core tests, the i7-980 consistently outperforms the i7-4910MQ by roughly 9%. The largest single margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i7-980 leads by 9.6%. For anyone running heavily threaded workloads like video rendering, 3D modeling, or software compilation, the i7-980 is the superior part.

The Intel Core i7-4910MQ wins in the categories that matter for mobile computing: power consumption and platform integration. With a TDP of 47 watts versus the i7-980’s 130 watts, the i7-4910MQ is designed for laptops where heat dissipation and battery life are critical constraints. It also includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), while the i7-980 has none, meaning the i7-4910MQ can run a complete system without a discrete GPU. The i7-4910MQ uses a smaller 22 nm process node versus the i7-980’s 32 nm, which contributes to its efficiency. The i7-4910MQ is the only choice for a portable system, while the i7-980 is the only choice for maximum compute performance on a desktop.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-980 is faster. It scores 589 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 536 for the i7-4910MQ, and 5853 in Cinebench R23 multi-core versus 5326. The i7-980 leads by 9% in every multi-core test.

Q: Does the i7-4910MQ have any performance advantage at all?

A: No. In the head-to-head benchmark data, the i7-980 wins all six tests. The i7-4910MQ’s advantages are in power draw (47W vs 130W TDP), integrated graphics, and platform mobility, not raw performance.

Q: Can I use the i7-4910MQ in a desktop motherboard?

A: The i7-4910MQ uses Intel Socket G3, which is designed for mobile platforms. The i7-980 uses Intel Socket 1366, a desktop socket. They are not interchangeable.

Q: How do these CPUs compare to modern processors?

A: The i7-4910MQ sits at the 41st percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 1716. The i7-980 sits at the 40th percentile, with an average score of 1693. Their nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U and the Intel Core i7-3770K, indicating they are both mid-range performers by modern standards.

Q: Which CPU has more cache?

A: The i7-980 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-4910MQ has 8 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: Is the i7-980 a good choice for a modern build?

A: The data shows it is still competitive with the i7-4910MQ, but it lacks integrated graphics, uses older PCIe Gen 2, and has a 130W TDP. Its production status is end-of-life, so it is only available on the used market.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is remarkably consistent across all six tests. The i7-980 wins every single comparison, with the deltaPct hovering around -9% for the i7-4910MQ. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-980 scores 589 against 536 for the i7-4910MQ, a 9% gap. The single-core R15 test shows the i7-980 at 83 versus 75, a 9.6% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20: the i7-980 scores 2458 multi-core and 346 single-core, while the i7-4910MQ scores 2236 and 315, again a 9% difference.

The largest absolute gap appears in Cinebench R23, where the i7-980 scores 5853 multi-core and 826 single-core, while the i7-4910MQ scores 5326 and 752. The 527-point difference in multi-core R23 is the biggest numerical gap in the dataset. Notably, the i7-980’s advantage is nearly identical in both single-core and multi-core tests, suggesting that its higher base clock of 3.33 GHz (versus 2.90 GHz) and higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz (versus 3.90 GHz) are not the deciding factor. Instead, the six-core layout provides a consistent edge even in single-threaded workloads, likely due to better per-core performance from the older but higher-clocked design.

The i7-4910MQ does not win a single benchmark. Its best relative performance is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it trails by only 9%, and its worst is in R15 single-core, where it trails by 9.6%. The data shows no scenario where the mobile chip’s newer Haswell architecture overcomes the i7-980’s two extra cores and twelve threads. For a user upgrading from an older desktop, the i7-980 is the clear performance pick; for a user constrained to a laptop, the i7-4910MQ is the only option.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The i7-4910MQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ significantly: 2.90 GHz for the i7-4910MQ versus 3.33 GHz for the i7-980. Boost clocks are closer, with the i7-4910MQ reaching 3.90 GHz and the i7-980 reaching 3.60 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator at 47 watts versus 130 watts. The i7-4910MQ uses Intel Socket G3, while the i7-980 uses Intel Socket 1366. Memory support shows a dual-channel bus for the i7-4910MQ and a triple-channel bus for the i7-980, with the mobile part rated at 25.6 GB/s bandwidth and the desktop part having no listed bandwidth. The i7-4910MQ has integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600); the i7-980 has none. PCIe support is Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the i7-4910MQ versus Gen 2 on the i7-980. The i7-4910MQ was released on 2014-01-19, while the i7-980 came out on 2011-06-25. Launch MSRP for the i7-4910MQ is $570; the i7-980 has no listed launch MSRP. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is substantial. The i7-4910MQ is built on the Haswell architecture using a 22 nm process node, manufactured by Intel with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The i7-980 uses the Westmere architecture (codename Gulftown) on a 32 nm node, with 1,170 million transistors on a larger 239 mm² die. The newer process node gives the i7-4910MQ a transistor density advantage, but the i7-980 compensates with a larger L3 cache of 12 MB shared versus 8 MB shared. Both use 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The i7-4910MQ belongs to the Core i7 (Haswell) generation, while the i7-980 is from the Core i7 (Gulftown) generation. The mobile chip includes an integrated memory controller for DDR3 with dual-channel support, while the desktop part also supports DDR3 but with triple-channel capability. Neither supports ECC memory. The i7-4910MQ’s integrated GPU is a key architectural feature absent from the i7-980, which requires a separate graphics card. The i7-4910MQ’s smaller process node and lower TDP reflect a design philosophy prioritizing efficiency, while the i7-980’s larger die and higher power budget prioritize core count and memory bandwidth.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-980 is the faster processor in every benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head tests with a consistent 9-9.6% margin. For a desktop user with a Socket 1366 motherboard, the i7-980 offers superior multi-core performance for rendering, encoding, and any parallel workload. Its six cores and twelve threads, combined with 12 MB of L3 cache and triple-channel memory support, make it the stronger compute engine. The i7-4910MQ, despite its newer Haswell architecture and higher boost clock, cannot close the gap created by the i7-980’s two extra cores.

However, the i7-4910MQ is the only viable choice for a mobile system. Its 47W TDP makes it suitable for laptop cooling solutions, and its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU. The i7-980’s 130W TDP and lack of integrated graphics render it impractical for anything but a desktop tower with dedicated cooling. The i7-4910MQ also offers PCIe Gen 3 support, while the i7-980 is limited to Gen 2. If the workload is fixed to a laptop, the i7-4910MQ is the only option; if the workload is fixed to a desktop, the i7-980 is the better performer. The choice is not about which is “better” in isolation, but which platform the user is committed to. The i7-980 wins on raw speed; the i7-4910MQ wins on portability and efficiency.