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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark record shows a clear split between these two processors, with the desktop-class Intel Core i7-980X dominating six of the eight recorded tests while the mobile Intel Core i7-4910MQ takes the remaining two. The most decisive victory belongs to the i7-4910MQ in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1116 against the i7-980X's 659, a 40.9% advantage. That is a substantial gap and the largest delta in the entire head-to-head comparison.

The i7-980X answers in the Cinebench suite. Across all three Cinebench versions, it wins both single-core and multi-core runs by margins between 8.8% and 9.3%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-980X scores 584 versus 536 for the i7-4910MQ, a 9% lead. The single-core R15 result is similar: 82 against 75, for a 9.3% edge. R20 repeats the pattern with the i7-980X ahead by 8.9% in both multi-core (2434 vs 2236) and single-core (343 vs 315). R23 shows the same story: 5797 vs 5326 multi-core and 818 vs 752 single-core, each an 8.8% advantage.

The Geekbench multi-core test is the only other win for the mobile part. There, the i7-4910MQ posts 3368 against 3247 for the i7-980X, a 3.6% margin. This is a narrow result compared to the Cinebench deltas, suggesting the two processors trade blows depending on the workload type. Overall, the i7-980X wins 6 benchmarks and the i7-4910MQ wins 2, but the single-core Geekbench result shows that the newer architecture has a significant per-thread strength that the older desktop chip cannot match.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and are built for entirely different platforms. The Intel Core i7-980X is a Westmere architecture part, codenamed Gulftown, manufactured on a 32 nm process. It packs 1,170 million transistors on a 239 mm² die. It offers 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.33 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. Its thermal design power is 130 W, and it uses Intel Socket 1366. The memory controller supports DDR3 in triple-channel configuration, and the PCIe interface is Gen 2. It has no integrated graphics, and its multiplier is unlocked.

The Intel Core i7-4910MQ is a Haswell architecture part, also codenamed Haswell, built on a 22 nm process. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a smaller 177 mm² die. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. Its TDP is much lower at 47 W, reflecting its mobile design. It uses Intel Socket G3 and supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode with a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The PCIe interface is Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and it includes integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics. The multiplier is locked, and its launch MSRP was $570.

Cache configurations also differ. Both share the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 at 256 KB per core. The i7-980X has 12 MB of shared L3, while the i7-4910MQ has 8 MB. The transistor count is higher on the Haswell part despite the smaller die, indicating a denser process. The release dates are separated by nearly four years: the i7-980X launched in March 2010, the i7-4910MQ in January 2014. Both are end-of-life products in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-980X is the stronger choice for sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads, as evidenced by its consistent wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its two extra cores and four extra threads give it a structural advantage in tasks that scale with core count. The data shows leads of roughly 9% in every Cinebench test, which suggests that the older six-core design still outperforms the newer quad-core in these specific rendering benchmarks. The 12 MB of L3 cache and triple-channel memory support likely contribute to this performance in memory-intensive rendering tasks.

The Intel Core i7-4910MQ wins where single-thread performance and newer architecture matter. The Geekbench single-core result is decisive: a 40.9% lead over the i7-980X. This indicates that the Haswell core design, with its higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus 3.60 GHz, delivers substantially better per-thread execution in this test. The Geekbench multi-core win, though narrower at 3.6%, shows that the mobile chip can also hold its own in some multi-threaded scenarios, likely due to its more efficient architecture and higher clock speeds on fewer cores.

For mobile use, the i7-4910MQ has an obvious practical advantage: a 47 W TDP versus 130 W, which directly affects thermal and power constraints in laptops. The integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics also make it a self-contained mobile solution. The i7-980X, with no integrated graphics and a desktop socket, belongs in a desktop system with a discrete GPU.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i7-980X is the better processor for Cinebench-style rendering workloads, winning all six Cinebench tests by margins between 8.8% and 9.3%. Its six cores and 12 threads provide a genuine multi-core advantage that the quad-core i7-4910MQ cannot overcome in these benchmarks, despite the latter's newer architecture.

The Intel Core i7-4910MQ is the better choice for single-thread performance. Its 40.9% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest performance gap in any recorded test, and it also wins Geekbench multi-core by a smaller 3.6% margin. For applications that depend heavily on per-core speed or that are optimized for newer instruction sets, the Haswell part is clearly superior.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the i7-980X averages 1746, while the i7-4910MQ averages 1716, a difference of about 1.7%. Both processors sit at the 41st percentile among all CPUs in the database. The i7-980X's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-8269U (delta -0.1%), Intel Core i5-6600 (delta 0.1%), AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 3200GE (delta -0.2%), and AMD Ryzen 3 4300U (delta 0.2%). The i7-4910MQ's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700U (delta 0%), Intel Core i7-990X (delta 0.2%), Intel Core i7-4860HQ (delta -0.2%), and AMD Athlon Gold PRO 3150GE (delta -0.3%). These rival deltas are all within a fraction of a percent, meaning both processors occupy the same performance tier on average.

Strictly from the recorded data, desktop users who prioritize rendering throughput should choose the i7-980X. Users who need a mobile processor with superior single-core performance and lower power consumption should choose the i7-4910MQ. The i7-980X is also the only one of the two with an unlocked multiplier, which matters for overclocking, but the i7-4910MQ counters with integrated graphics and a far lower TDP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i7-980X wins 6 of the 8 recorded benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-4910MQ wins 2.

Q: What is the largest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest delta is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i7-4910MQ scores 1116 versus 659 for the i7-980X, a 40.9% advantage.

Q: How do the two compare in average benchmark score?

A: The i7-980X has an average benchmark score of 1746, and the i7-4910MQ has an average of 1716, a difference of 30 points or roughly 1.7%.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the Intel Core i7-980X nor the Intel Core i7-4910MQ supports ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-980X has a TDP of 130 W, while the Intel Core i7-4910MQ has a TDP of 47 W.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-4910MQ has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, compared to the i7-980X's boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-980X | Intel Core i7-4910MQ |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.33 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.90 GHz |

| TDP | 130 W | 47 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1366 | Intel Socket G3 |

| Architecture | Westmere | Haswell |

| Codename | Gulftown | Haswell |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,170 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 239 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 25.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2010-03-15 | 2014-01-19 |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $570 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | SLBUZ | SR1PT |