CPU Comparison

Core i7-4700EQ vs Core i7-9850HL

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-4700EQ is a quad-core embedded mobile processor launched in May 2013. Based on the Haswell architecture, this 22nm CPU is designed for systems requiring long-term availability and high reliability, such as industrial PCs, digital signage, and medical equipment. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, operating at a base clock of 2.4 GHz with a maximum turbo frequency of 3.4 GHz. The 'EQ' suffix denotes an embedded BGA package, meaning it is soldered directly to the motherboard. With a 47W TDP, it balances robust computing power with thermal constraints typical of mobile and compact embedded environments. The processor includes 8MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory. It integrates Intel HD Graphics 4600, providing competent multimedia capabilities. The i7-4700EQ is well-suited for edge computing applications that require sustained multi-threaded processing and hardware virtualization without the need for discrete graphics.

Intel · 4th Generation Core i7
Core i7-4700EQ
4C / 8T3.4 GHz47 W
7
Full review
Top pick
Intel · 9th Generation Core i7
Core i7-9850HL
6C / 12T4.1 GHz25 W
8
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Embedded Mobile
Embedded Mobile
Generation
4th Gen
9th Gen
Launched
2013
2019
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Haswell
Coffee Lake-HR
Series
4th Generation Core i7
9th Generation Core i7
Family
Haswell
Coffee Lake-HR
Predecessor
Core i7-3610QE
Core i7-8850H
Successor
Core i7-4700HQ
N/A

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
6
Threads
8
12
Base Clock
2.4 GHz
1.9 GHz
Boost Clock
3.4 GHz
4.1 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
8 MB
9 MB
TDP
47 W
25 W
Architecture
Architecture
Haswell
Coffee Lake-HR
Process Node
22nm
14nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR4
Memory Speed
1600 MT/s
2666 MT/s
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
32 GB
128 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
BGA 1364
Intel BGA 1440
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Industry Impact

Gaming
Low
None
Workstations
Moderate
Moderate
Content Creation
Low
Low
Virtualization
High
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

Industrial Automation
Very Good
Excellent
Data Acquisition
Very Good
Edge IoT Gateways
Excellent

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Students

Strengths & Weaknesses

Core i7-4700EQ

Pros

  • Guaranteed long-term embedded availability
  • Strong quad-core multi-threading
  • 8MB L3 cache
  • Supports AVX2 for industrial calculations

Cons

  • 47W TDP requires active cooling
  • Soldered BGA package
  • Uses obsolete DDR3 memory
  • Hard to source for consumers
Core i7-9850HL

Pros

  • Extremely low 25W TDP for a 6-core chip
  • Long-term embedded availability
  • Supports Hyper-Threading
  • Includes UHD 630 graphics

Cons

  • Very low base clock (1.9 GHz)
  • Hard to source for consumers
  • Soldered BGA package
  • Reduced L3 cache (9MB)

Competitors & Alternatives

Core i7-4700EQ

  • AMD Embedded R-464L

    Embedded Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-4700HQ

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
    Compare head-to-head
  • Intel Core i7-3610QE

    Embedded Mobile

    Rival
  • AMD Embedded A10-5750M

    Embedded Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Xeon E3-1265L v3

    Embedded Server

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-4200E
    Alt

    More budget-friendly dual-core embedded option.

  • Intel Core i7-4700EC
    Alt

    Higher 65W TDP version for better sustained clocks.

Core i7-9850HL

  • AMD Ryzen Embedded V1605B

    Embedded Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-8665UE

    Embedded Mobile

    Rival
    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Ryzen Embedded V1807B

    Embedded Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Xeon E-2278GEL

    Embedded Server

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-9500HL

    Embedded Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-9850HE
    Alt

    Higher 45W TDP for better sustained performance.

  • Intel Core i7-8665U
    Alt

    Lower core count but even lower power (15W).

  • Previous gen 45W embedded alternative.

    Compare head-to-head

Our Verdict on Each

Core i7-4700EQSituational

A dependable embedded quad-core CPU that offers solid multi-threaded performance for legacy industrial systems.

Best for: Sourcing replacements for legacy industrial boards

Read the full review
Core i7-9850HLSituational

An impressive embedded CPU that brings 6-core performance to the 25W TDP class, perfect for fanless industrial applications.

Best for: Sourcing for embedded industrial builds

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Core i7-4700EQ or Core i7-9850HL?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-9850HL comes out ahead with a score of 8/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.

Which uses less power?

The Core i7-9850HL has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core i7-4700EQ (47 W), Core i7-9850HL (25 W).

Do Core i7-4700EQ and Core i7-9850HL use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Core i7-4700EQ: BGA 1364, Core i7-9850HL: Intel BGA 1440), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which has more cores?

The Core i7-9850HL has the most cores. Core counts: Core i7-4700EQ (4 cores), Core i7-9850HL (6 cores).

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Core i7-4700EQ posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-4700EQ (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.