Intel Core i7-4810MQ
Intel Core i7-4810MQ: Aging Warrior or Budget Solution in 2025?
(Analysis for those seeking a balance between price and performance)
Architecture and Process Technology: The Legacy of Haswell
The Intel Core i7-4810MQ, released in 2014, is part of Intel's fourth generation of Core processors (codenamed Haswell). Despite its age, its architecture is still found in used laptops and workstations.
Key Specifications
- Process Technology: 22 nm — for 2025, this is archaic (modern chips use 3–5 nm).
- Cores and Threads: 4 cores, 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.
- Frequencies: Base — 2.8 GHz, maximum in Turbo Boost — 3.8 GHz (for one core).
- Cache: L3 — 6 MB.
- Integrated Graphics: Intel HD 4600 (20 execution units, frequency up to 1300 MHz).
Architectural Features:
- IPC Improvements: Haswell brought a 5–10% performance increase per clock compared to Ivy Bridge.
- AVX2: Support for vector instructions to accelerate computations in video processing and 3D modeling applications.
- iGPU: The HD 4600 supports DirectX 11.1 and 4K output, but it is poorly suited for gaming in 2025.
Power Consumption and TDP: The Cost of Power
TDP 47 W — this is a high figure even for 2025. For comparison: modern mobile processors like Intel Alder Lake-U (15 W) or AMD Ryzen 7 7840U (28 W) offer comparable performance with lower heat output.
What does this mean for the user?
- Laptops with the i7-4810MQ require robust cooling systems, increasing the weight and thickness of the device.
- Under load (e.g., during rendering), fans operate loudly.
- Battery life rarely exceeds 3–4 hours even with a new battery.
Performance: What Can Haswell Do in 2025?
Geekbench 6 scores (1209 / 3586) show that the processor lags behind even budget newcomers in 2025. For example, the Intel Core i3-1320U (15 W) scores 1800/4500.
Real World Tasks
1. Office Work:
- Browser with 20+ tabs, Excel, Zoom — the processor manages, but there may be lag when simultaneously launching heavy PDFs.
2. Multimedia:
- 4K video in VLC or YouTube: HD 4600 decodes H.264, but encounters issues with H.265/VP9 (CPU load up to 70–80%).
3. Gaming:
- CS:GO on low settings: 40–60 FPS.
- Genshin Impact (720p, minimum settings): 25–30 FPS.
- Modern AAA titles (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077) — not recommended even on minimum settings.
Turbo Boost: During brief loads (up to 10–15 seconds), the frequency rises to 3.8 GHz, but due to heating, it quickly drops to 3.2–3.5 GHz.
Usage Scenarios: Who Should Consider the i7-4810MQ in 2025?
1. Budget Workstations:
- Programming, working with VirtualBox, light editing in Premiere Pro (1080p).
2. Students:
- For studies (LaTeX, MATLAB, AutoCAD 2D).
3. Secondhand Market:
- Laptops with this CPU sell for $200–300 (used), which is cheaper than new devices based on Core i3 of the 12th generation ($500+).
Who Should Avoid It:
- Gamers, videographers, users of AI tools (like Stable Diffusion).
Battery Life: Why Does the Battery Drain Rapidly?
- Practical Tests: A Dell Precision M4800 laptop (with i7-4810MQ and an 86 Wh battery) lasts 3.5 hours under moderate load (Chrome + Word).
- Power Saving Technologies:
- Intel SpeedStep: Dynamic frequency scaling.
- C-States: Disabling unused cores.
- However! The Haswell architecture is not optimized for use with modern energy-efficient operating systems (e.g., Windows 11 24H2).
Comparison with Competitors: In the Context of AMD, Apple, and Modern Intel
1. AMD FX-7600P (2014):
- 4 cores / 4 threads, TDP 35 W. In multithreaded tasks, the i7-4810MQ is 30% faster.
2. Apple M1 (2020):
- Single-core performance is 60% higher, multi-core is 50% higher, with a TDP of 15 W.
3. Intel Core i5-1240P (2022):
- 12 cores (4P+8E), 16 threads. Geekbench 6 Multi-Core — 8500 (compared to 3586 for i7-4810MQ).
Conclusion: In 2025, Haswell is only relevant for a strict budget of up to $300.
Pros and Cons
Strengths:
- Affordable price on the secondhand market.
- Support for 32 GB DDR3L (relevant for older workstations).
- Easy thermal paste replacement extends laptop lifespan.
Weaknesses:
- No support for PCIe 4.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2, Thunderbolt 4.
- Maximum temperature — 100°C (risk of throttling).
- Incompatibility with Windows 12 (officially unconfirmed).
Laptop Selection Recommendations
If you have decided to buy a device with the i7-4810MQ:
1. Device Type: Workstation (e.g., Lenovo ThinkPad W540) or an older gaming laptop (MSI GT70).
2. What to Look For:
- Condition of the cooling system (prefer models with copper pipes).
- Upgrade potential: DDR3L slots, availability of M.2 (via adapter).
- Display: IPS screen is preferred over TN.
Advice: Don’t buy laptops with this CPU for more than $350 — for $500 you can find models with a Ryzen 5 5500U and NVMe SSD.
Final Conclusion
The Intel Core i7-4810MQ in 2025 is a choice for:
- Enthusiasts ready for fine-tuning and upgrades.
- Users who need a PC for basic tasks for minimal money.
- IT professionals working with outdated software requiring x86 architecture.
Key Benefits:
- Savings of $200–500 compared to new devices.
- Repairability (many components are replaceable).
- Proven reliability (the chip has "lived" over 10 years for many users).
But remember: this processor is a temporary solution. In just 1–2 years, even budget newcomers from Apple Silicon or Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite will completely replace it in everyday use.