CPU Comparison
Core i7-4610M vs Core i7-4702MQ
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-4610M is a mainstream mobile processor launched in February 2014 as a minor refresh to the Haswell lineup. This 22nm dual-core CPU features Hyper-Threading, processing 4 threads concurrently. It operates at a high base frequency of 3.0 GHz and boosts up to 3.7 GHz, offering a slight frequency bump over the i7-4600M. With a 37W TDP, it targets standard laptop chassis with active cooling. The processor utilizes the Socket G3 (rPGA946B), making it one of the few socketed mobile CPUs of its era, allowing for potential upgrades. It includes 4MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 handles display outputs and media decoding. The i7-4610M was designed for premium business laptops and budget gaming machines where raw single-threaded speed was prioritized over multi-core parallelism, providing excellent responsiveness for office applications and legacy software.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- High 3.0 GHz base clock
- Socketed design allows upgrades
- Excellent single-threaded performance
- Supports VT-d for virtualization
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores
- 37W TDP limits battery life
- Obsolete DDR3 memory support
- Hard to find on the used market
Pros
- Lower 37W TDP for thinner designs
- Solid quad-core multi-threading
- Socketed design allows upgrades
- Good balance of power and efficiency
Cons
- Low 2.2 GHz base clock
- Uses obsolete DDR3 memory
- Lacks official Windows 11 support
- HD 4600 graphics are weak
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i7-4610M
- AMD A10-5750MRival
Mainstream Mobile
- Intel Core i7-4600MRival
Mainstream Mobile
- AMD A8-5550MRival
Mainstream Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4300MRival
Mainstream Mobile
- Intel Core i7-4702MQRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3540MAlt
Previous generation alternative if upgrading an Ivy Bridge laptop.
Core i7-4702MQ
- AMD A10-5750MRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3632QMRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Intel Core i7-4700MQRival
High-Performance Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4700HQRival
High-Performance Mobile
- AMD A8-5550MRival
Mainstream Mobile
- Intel Core i7-4712MQAlt
Slightly faster refresh of the same low-power chip.
- Intel Core i5-4200MAlt
Dual-core alternative for much lower power.
Soldered BGA version of the same chip.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A fast dual-core mobile CPU offering excellent single-threaded burst performance, but its lack of physical cores limits modern multi-tasking.
Best for: Upgrading a Socket G3 laptop for cheap
Read the full reviewA great low-power quad-core mobile CPU for 2013, offering excellent efficiency, but its lower clocks limit single-threaded performance.
Best for: Upgrading an old Socket G3 laptop for cheap
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-4610M or Core i7-4702MQ?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-4702MQ comes out ahead with a score of 7/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Do Core i7-4610M and Core i7-4702MQ use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Socket G3 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Core i7-4702MQ has the most cores. Core counts: Core i7-4610M (2 cores), Core i7-4702MQ (4 cores).