CPU Comparison
Core i7-4610M vs Intel Core i5-4300M
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
Performance Compared
Productivity
The 3.6 GHz turbo boost keeps single-threaded tasks feeling responsive, though 2 cores limit heavy multitasking.
Gaming
HD 5000 graphics allow for playable framerates in older games at 720p or 1080p on low settings.
Virtualization
Decent for light VMs thanks to VT-d support, but limited by the dual-core design.
Efficiency
37W TDP is standard for mobile but runs warmer and less efficiently than modern 15W chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
No data
- No AI hardware acceleration
- Dual-core limits inference performance
Content Creation
No data
Gaming
No data
- Comparable to a low-end discrete mobile GPU
- Can run Skyrim or CS:GO on low settings
- Not suitable for modern AAA titles
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
- High 3.6 GHz turbo boost for single-threaded tasks
- Socketed design allows for upgrades
- HD 5000 graphics are decent for older games
- Supports PCIe 3.0
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores
- 37W TDP runs warm and drains battery faster than 'U' models
- End-of-life and outdated
- Locked multiplier
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.
Intel Core i5-4300M
- AMD A10-5750MRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i7-4700MQRival
Mobile
- AMD A8-5550MRival
Mobile APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3230MRival
Mobile
- AMD A6-5350MRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
A much faster 8th gen quad-core mobile chip that runs cooler and uses less power.
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500UAlt
A modern mobile quad-core with Vega graphics that vastly outperforms this chip.
- Intel Core i5-4300M (Used)Alt
If repairing an old laptop, finding a used i7-4700MQ or MQ chip for the same socket is a better upgrade.
A modern dual-core mobile chip that obliterates this i5 in performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GAlt
A budget desktop alternative if moving away from old mobile platforms.
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 solid mainstream mobile processor for its era, offering good single-core turbo speeds and decent integrated graphics, though lacking modern multi-core power.
Best for: Purchasing a very cheap used business laptop for basic typing or offline work.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Core i7-4610M or Intel Core i5-4300M?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4300M leads with a gaming performance score of 45/100 among Core i7-4610M and Intel Core i5-4300M.
Do Core i7-4610M and Intel Core i5-4300M use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i7-4610M: Socket G3, Intel Core i5-4300M: Intel Socket G3), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Core i7-4610M posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-4610M (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.