CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-4760HQ vs Core i7-920XM

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-4760HQ is a premium mobile processor released in February 2014, bridging the gap between standard Haswell parts and the top-tier Crystalwell variants. Designed for high-end laptops and portable workstations, it features four cores and eight threads to handle demanding workloads. Operating at a base frequency of 2.1 GHz with turbo speeds up to 3.3 GHz, it offers a slight uptick in CPU performance over the 4750HQ. Crucially, it integrates Intel HD Graphics 5200, backed by 128MB of L4 eDRAM, delivering exceptional graphical performance for an integrated solution. This made it ideal for thin-and-light systems requiring capable 1080p gaming and media encoding without the added heat of a discrete GPU. With a 47-watt TDP, it required robust cooling. Though end-of-life, the 4760HQ was a versatile chip that offered a balanced blend of computational speed and best-in-class integrated graphics for its era.

Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-4760HQ
4C / 8T3.3 GHz47 W
7.5
Full review
Intel · Core i7 Extreme
Core i7-920XM
4C / 8T3.2 GHz55 W
7.5
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile
Mobile High-End
Generation
4th Gen
Core i7 Extreme (Clarksfield)
Launched
2014
2009
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Crystalwell
Clarksfield
Series
Core i7
Core i7 Extreme
Family
4th Generation (Haswell/Crystalwell)
1st Gen Core i7
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-4750HQ
Core 2 Extreme QX9300
Successor
Intel Core i7-4770HQ
Core i7-940XM

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
4
Threads
8
8
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
2 GHz
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
3.2 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
6 MB
8 MB
TDP
47 W
55 W
Architecture
Architecture
Haswell
Clarksfield
Process Node
22nm
45nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3
Memory Speed
DDR3-1600
1333 MT/s
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
32 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1364
Intel Socket G1
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
Gen 2
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
None
Unlocked
No
Yes

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i7-4760HQBest75

Better CPU clocks than 4750HQ improve responsiveness.

Core i7-920XM35

Adequate for basic tasks but severely outpaced by modern mobile CPUs.

Gaming

Intel Core i7-4760HQBest72

Excellent integrated graphics for 2014 titles.

Core i7-920XM40

Capable of playing older 2010-era titles well, but struggles with modern games.

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-4760HQBest70

Capable of running standard VMs.

Core i7-920XM45

Good for running basic VMs on the go, though limited by modern standards.

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-4760HQBest55

47W TDP is standard for its class.

Core i7-920XM20

Very poor efficiency by modern standards, with high idle and load power draw.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-4760HQPoor
  • No AI hardware
Core i7-920XMNone
  • No AI acceleration hardware
  • Unsuitable for modern AI workloads

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-4760HQGood
Premiere ProPhotoshopIllustrator
Core i7-920XMLegacy
Legacy Premiere ProLegacy PhotoshopBasic 3D Modeling

Gaming

Intel Core i7-4760HQGood
  • Iris Pro handles older games well
  • Comparable to GT 740M
Core i7-920XMLegacy
  • High clock speeds for its era
  • Lacks modern instruction sets like AVX
  • Requires discrete GPU

Industry Impact

Gaming
Moderate
High
Workstations
High
Moderate
Content Creation
High
High
Virtualization
Moderate
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

1080p Gaming (Legacy)
Very Good
Video Editing
Good
Coding
Very Good
3D Rendering
Fair
Good
Mobile Gaming
Excellent (for 2009)
Video Encoding
Very Good
Basic Office Work
Overkill

Target Audience

Gamers
Targeted
Targeted
Content Creators
Targeted
Targeted
Developers
Targeted
Targeted
Workstation Users
Targeted
Targeted
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Students

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i7-4760HQ

Pros

  • Iris Pro 5200 graphics
  • 128MB L4 eDRAM
  • Good 3.3GHz turbo boost
  • Solid quad-core performance

Cons

  • Soldered BGA package
  • 47W TDP runs warm
  • Outdated 22nm process
  • Low availability
Core i7-920XM

Pros

  • Unlocked multiplier
  • Quad-core performance for mobile
  • 8MB L3 cache
  • Turbo Boost technology

Cons

  • Very high power consumption (120W max)
  • No integrated graphics
  • Obsolete socket
  • Runs very hot

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i7-4760HQ

Core i7-920XM

  • AMD Phenom II X4 Mobile

    Mobile High-End

    Rival
  • Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300

    Mobile Extreme

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-820QM

    Mobile High-End

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-720QM

    Mobile Mid-Range

    Rival
  • AMD Turion II Ultra

    Mobile Mainstream

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-940XM
    Alt

    Slightly faster refresh of the same architecture.

  • AMD Phenom II X4 N950
    Alt

    AMD's alternative mobile quad-core.

  • Better efficiency for basic mobile tasks.

    Compare head-to-head

Our Verdict on Each

A well-balanced mobile processor offering a slight clock bump over the 4750HQ while retaining excellent Iris Pro graphics.

Best for: An Intel Core i7-4760HQ is a rare find today, typically only encountered when repairing older premium ultrabooks or all-in-one systems. If you are considering a purchase, the primary value lies in its Iris Pro graphics. For retro gaming or running older creative suites, the HD 5200 combined with the quad-core CPU still provides a surprisingly capable experience. However, the 47-watt TDP means battery life in older laptops will be poor, and thermals can be an issue if the machine hasn't been cleaned and repasted. If you are sourcing this chip for a board-level repair, ensure you have the correct BGA reballing equipment, as it is permanently soldered. For everyday use, modern budget laptops will outperform this chip in efficiency and single-core tasks. Only invest in a system with this CPU if it is exceptionally cheap, serving as a secondary device for light media creation or nostalgic gaming sessions.

Read the full review
Core i7-920XMSituational

A groundbreaking mobile CPU that brought unlocked quad-core performance to laptops, though it runs hot and is obsolete today.

Best for: Retro gaming laptop restoration.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-4760HQ or Core i7-920XM?

For gaming, the Intel Core i7-4760HQ leads with a gaming performance score of 72/100 among Intel Core i7-4760HQ and Core i7-920XM.

Which uses less power?

The Intel Core i7-4760HQ has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-4760HQ (47 W), Core i7-920XM (55 W).

Do Intel Core i7-4760HQ and Core i7-920XM use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-4760HQ: Intel BGA 1364, Core i7-920XM: Intel Socket G1), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Intel Core i7-4760HQ posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-4760HQ (8,100). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.