If you're in the market for high-performance laptops, you're likely to come across two prominent processors: the i7 9750H and the i7 4800MQ. Both are Intel i7 processors, but they cater to different segments of the market, with the 9750H being a newer, more powerful option. Let's delve into a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.
The i7 9750H, a Coffee LakeRefresh processor, is designed for high-end gaming laptops and power users, while the i7 4800MQ, a Haswell processor, is more commonly found in mid-range laptops and older gaming rigs. But how do they stack up against each other?
Processor Architecture and Core Count
The i7 9750H, introduced in 2018, is built on Intel's Coffee Lake architecture and features six cores, twelve threads, and a base clock speed of 2.6 GHz. Its turbo boost can reach up to 4.5 GHz. On the other hand, the i7 4800MQ, launched in 2013, is based on Intel's Haswell architecture and offers four cores and eight threads, with a base clock speed of 2.7 GHz and a turbo boost of up to 3.7 GHz.
The 9750H's additional cores and threads, coupled with its higher turbo frequency, result in significantly more processing power, making it a better choice for multithreaded workloads and gaming.
Performance in benchmarks
Geekbench 4 scores reflect the disparity in performance. The i7 9750H scores around 5000 points in the single-core test and 17000 in the multi-core test, compared to the i7 4800MQ's scores of 3500 and 13000 respectively. These numbers highlight the 9750H's superior performance in both single-threaded and multithreaded workloads.
In terms of gaming performance, the 9750H easily outperforms the 4800MQ. In esports titles, frame rates can differ by up to 50%, with the 9750H often providing higher, more consistent FPS. In demanding AAA games, the difference is mainly within the 10-20% range, but the 9750H still comes out ahead.
Power Consumption and Heat Output
Despite its higher performance, the i7 9750H is not significantly more power-hungry than the i7 4800MQ. The 9750H has a TDP of 45W, compared to the 4800MQ's 47W. However, the 9750H's higher heat output can lead to warmer laptop temperatures under load, which might necessitate better cooling solutions.
In terms of battery life, neither processor is exceptional, but the i7 9750H's power-efficient design allows for slightly better performance with a given battery size compared to the older i7 4800MQ.
Integrated Graphics
Both processors come with integrated graphics solutions, but the i7 9750H's UHD Graphics 630 significantly outperforms the i7 4800MQ's HD Graphics 4600. The 630 offers around a 40% boost in 3DMark scores, providing smoother gaming performance and better media decoding capabilities. However, for serious gaming, a dedicated GPU is still indispensable.
In conclusion, while the i7 4800MQ was a powerful processor in its time, the i7 9750H's superior architecture, higher core count, and better integrated graphics make it a more attractive choice for today's power users and gamers. Whether you're looking for a new gaming laptop or a high-performance workstation, the i7 9750H is likely the better option. But remember, processor choice is just one part of the equation; other components, like RAM, storage, and cooling, also play critical roles in system performance. So, stay informed and choose wisely!
