Intel Core i7-4870HQ
Intel Core i7-4870HQ: Outdated Power or Current Budget?
(Analysis of a 2014 Processor in the Context of 2025)
Architecture and Manufacturing Process: Crystalwell — A Legacy of the Haswell Era
The Intel Core i7-4870HQ processor, released in 2014, became one of the last representatives of the Haswell lineup and was code-named Crystalwell. Despite its age, its architecture deserves attention even in 2025, especially when compared to modern energy-efficient chips.
Cores, Threads, and Frequencies:
- 4 cores / 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.
- Base clock speed — 2.5 GHz, maximum in Turbo Boost — 3.7 GHz (for one core).
- 6 MB L3 cache — modest by modern standards, but sufficient for tasks from the 2010s.
Crystalwell Feature:
The main highlight is the built-in 128 MB eDRAM (embedded Level 4 cache). This technology accelerated the operation of integrated graphics and reduced latency during data processing. In 2025, such solutions have been replaced by unified memory in Apple M chips or L4 cache in some server processors.
Integrated Graphics Intel HD 5200:
- 40 Execution Units (EUs) — double that of the basic HD 4600.
- Support for DirectX 11.2 and OpenGL 4.3.
- In 2025, this is adequate only for undemanding games like CS:GO or Dota 2 at low settings (720p, 30-40 FPS).
Power Consumption and TDP: 47W — The Price of Performance
A TDP of 47W is typical for high-performance laptops from the 2010s (e.g., MacBook Pro 15" or Dell Precision). In comparison, modern Intel Core Ultra processors (Meteor Lake) with similar performance have a TDP of 28W.
What Does This Mean for the User?
- Laptops with the i7-4870HQ required massive cooling systems, making devices based on it thick (2.5–3 cm) and heavy (2–2.5 kg).
- Even in 2025, such a TDP is unacceptable for ultrabooks — their market has been taken over by ARM chips (Apple M3, Snapdragon X Elite) and hybrid architectures from Intel/AMD.
Performance: How Does It Hold Up in 2025?
According to Geekbench 6 (1095 Single-Core / 3728 Multi-Core), the i7-4870HQ trails behind the budget Intel Core i3-1315U (2023) by 30–40%. However, in real tasks, its potential can still be harnessed.
Office Work and Multimedia:
- Google Chrome with 10 tabs + Zoom + Office — occasional lags due to outdated Single-Core performance.
- Photoshop/Lightroom — processing RAW files will take 2–3 times longer than on an Apple M1.
- 4K video in VLC — plays without problems, but rendering in DaVinci Resolve will be painful.
Gaming:
- With a discrete GPU like the NVIDIA GTX 970M (relevant in 2014): The Witcher 3 on medium settings (1080p, 30 FPS).
- Only on iGPU HD 5200: Minecraft (60 FPS), Stardew Valley (stable), but modern games like Hogwarts Legacy are unavailable.
Turbo Boost: Pros and Cons
- Short bursts up to 3.7 GHz help with brief tasks (launching applications, rendering previews).
- Under long loads (e.g., video exports), throttling occurs — the frequency drops to 2.8–3.0 GHz due to overheating.
Use Cases: Who Is It Suitable for in 2025?
This processor should only be considered on the secondary market (price of laptops — $150–300). Possible applications include:
1. Budget Workstation: for programming, document work, web development.
2. Home Media Center: connecting to TV for streaming and light gaming.
3. Student Laptop: for schoolchildren/students who don’t need high performance.
Categorically Unsuitable:
- For modern gaming and neural network tasks (Stable Diffusion, LLM).
- For mobile users — battery life rarely exceeds 4–5 hours.
Battery Life: How Long Will It Last Untethered?
Even new (unused) laptops from 2014–2016 with the i7-4870HQ were equipped with batteries 55–80 Wh. By 2025, their capacity has decreased due to degradation, making the actual runtime 2–3 hours under mixed load.
Power-Saving Technologies:
- Intel SpeedStep — dynamic frequency scaling.
- C-States — powering down unused cores.
Unfortunately, these mechanisms fall short compared to modern equivalents in AMD Ryzen 5 7640U or Intel Core Ultra 5 125U chips.
Comparison with Competitors: Who It Surpassed, Who It Falls Behind
- AMD FX-7600P (2014): 4 cores / 8 threads, but weaker in Single-Core (Geekbench 6 ~800). The i7-4870HQ excelled in multi-threading and graphics.
- Apple A10X (2017): Comparable in Multi-Core, but the Apple chip consumed 8–10W.
- Intel Core i5-1135G7 (2020): 50% faster in Single-Core, twice as energy efficient.
Conclusion: In 2014, this was a top-tier CPU, but now it lags behind even budget models.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Supports 32 GB DDR3L — multitasking is still relevant.
- Upgradeability: many laptops allow for SSD and RAM replacements.
- Price on the secondary market — under $300.
Weaknesses:
- No support for PCIe 4.0, Thunderbolt 3+, Wi-Fi 6.
- Drivers for iGPU have not been updated since 2020.
Recommendations for Buying a Laptop
If you still decide to buy a device with the i7-4870HQ in 2025, pay attention to:
1. Battery Condition: replace it with a new one (cost — $50–80).
2. Presence of an SSD: an HDD will slow down the system.
3. Cooling System: disassemble and replace thermal paste.
Examples of Models:
- Apple MacBook Pro Retina 15" (Mid 2014) — $250–400 (used).
- Dell Precision M4800 — $300–500 (used).
Final Conclusion: Who Is the i7-4870HQ Suitable for in 2025?
This processor is a choice for those in need of a cheap laptop for basic tasks. It has outlived its time, but can still serve as:
- A backup device for travel (not too precious to lose/damage).
- A home PC for older relatives.
- A test bench for studying Intel architectures.
Key Benefit: Price. For $200–300, you get a "workhorse" with upgrade potential, but without claims to modern comfort. However, if your budget allows for an additional $200–300, it’s better to choose a laptop with a Ryzen 5 5500U or Intel Core i3-1215U — they will last longer and save you headaches.