CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-4860HQ vs Intel Core i9-11900H
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-4860HQ is a top-tier mobile processor launched in February 2014, representing the pinnacle of the Haswell Crystalwell lineup. Designed for flagship laptops and mobile workstations, it features four cores and eight threads, delivering uncompromising multitasking performance. Operating at a high base clock of 2.4 GHz with turbo frequencies reaching 3.6 GHz, it offers exceptional single-threaded speed for its generation. The integration of Intel HD Graphics 5200, supported by 128MB of L4 eDRAM, provides class-leading integrated graphical performance, capable of handling demanding 3D workloads without a discrete GPU. With a 47-watt TDP, it requires substantial cooling but delivers a desktop-like experience in a mobile form factor. Though end-of-life, the 4860HQ was the processor of choice for power users who refused to compromise on either CPU speed or graphical fidelity, making it a legendary chip in the annals of mobile computing history.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
High base and turbo clocks ensure top-tier responsiveness.
Capable in content creation and professional apps, with competitive single-core and solid multi-thread performance for an 8-core mobile CPU in 2021, but newer designs pull ahead in sustained workloads.
Gaming
Best-in-class integrated graphics for 2014 titles.
Strong for 1080p gaming at high refresh rates when paired with a midrange or better discrete GPU. Modern 12th/13th-gen Intel and Ryzen 6000/7000 mobile CPUs tend to edge it out in CPU-heavy titles and efficiency.
Virtualization
Handles standard VMs well.
Good for running several VMs or containers on a laptop, but limited by 8 cores and typical laptop power limits compared to modern HX-series parts.
Efficiency
47W TDP is standard but outdated.
Performance-per-watt is decent but not class-leading; AMD’s Ryzen 5000/6000 and Intel’s Alder Lake/Raptor Lake are notably more efficient under many workloads.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- No dedicated NPU; relies on CPU AVX-512 and GNA 2.0 for AI workloads
- Suitable for light local inference and on-device ML, not serious training or large models
- Intel Deep Learning Boost (AVX-512 VNNI) helps some quantized inference tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Iris Pro handles older 1080p games flawlessly
- Rivals mid-range discrete GPUs
- High single-core turbo (up to 4.9 GHz) benefits CPU-bound games
- Performance highly dependent on laptop cooling and power limits
- Competitive with Ryzen 7 5800H in many games at similar power
- Newer Intel/AMD mobile CPUs often deliver higher FPS at lower power
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Highest clocks in Crystalwell mobile family
- Iris Pro 5200 graphics
- 128MB L4 eDRAM
- Exceptional single-threaded performance for 2014
Cons
- Soldered BGA package
- 47W TDP requires robust cooling
- Outdated 22nm process
- End-of-life
Pros
- 8 high-performance Willow Cove cores with strong single-thread speed
- 20 PCIe 4.0 CPU lanes for GPU and NVMe
- DDR4-3200 dual-channel with good bandwidth
- Configurable 35–45 W TDP fits both thin and thick designs
- Integrated UHD Graphics with Quick Sync for video encode/decode
- AVX-512 and DL Boost for specialized workloads
Cons
- Older 10 nm SuperFin process is less efficient than Intel 7 and TSMC 7 nm/6 nm
- No DDR5 or PCIe 5.0 support; platform feels dated in 2026
- Locked multiplier limits overclocking headroom
- Power-hungry under sustained multi-thread vs modern competitors
- Now discontinued; no long-term platform upgrade path
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-4860HQ
- AMD A10-7300MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4850HQRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4770HQRival
Mobile
- AMD FX-7600PRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4960HQRival
Mobile
Slightly faster Crystalwell refresh.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXAlt
Modern mobile flagship alternative.
Modern alternative with massive multi-core gains.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Modern creator laptop alternative.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i9-11900H
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800HRival
High-End Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11800HRival
High-End Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HXRival
Enthusiast Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i9-10885HRival
High-End Mobile (Previous Gen)
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-12700HRival
High-End Mobile (Next Gen)
- AMD Ryzen 9 6900HSAlt
More efficient Zen 3+ with RDNA 2 iGPU and better battery life in many designs.
- Intel Core i9-12900HAlt
14-core Alder Lake-H with higher single- and multi-thread performance and DDR5 support on newer platforms.
If you don’t need 8 cores, a newer 12th-gen i5 can be faster and more efficient while costing less.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
The peak of Haswell mobile architecture, combining high 3.6GHz turbo clocks with the formidable Iris Pro 5200 graphics.
Best for: Finding a laptop with an Intel Core i7-4860HQ today usually means browsing the used market for a high-end 2014 MacBook Pro or a premium Windows ultrabook. The chip remains surprisingly competent for 1080p video editing, software development, and retro gaming, thanks to its 3.6 GHz turbo and potent HD 5200 graphics. If you are purchasing a system with this processor, verify the battery health and cooling capacity, as the 47-watt TDP can generate significant heat. For technicians, this CPU is a rare find required for specific board-level repairs on BGA 1364 motherboards. Do not pay modern prices for this legacy hardware. It should be priced as a budget-friendly secondary device. While it cannot compete with modern chips in efficiency or raw single-core speed, its unique eDRAM architecture makes it a fascinating piece of computing history that still holds practical value for light productivity and nostalgic gaming sessions.
Read the full reviewA fast 8-core mobile CPU in its day, with strong single-thread performance and PCIe 4.0, but now outclassed by 12th/13th-gen Intel and Ryzen 6000/7000 in efficiency and multi-core performance.
Best for: Buying a discounted 2021-era gaming or workstation laptop where the i9-11900H is already installed, and you prioritize GPU and thermals over CPU generation.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-4860HQ or Intel Core i9-11900H?
For gaming, the Intel Core i9-11900H leads with a gaming performance score of 82/100 among Intel Core i7-4860HQ and Intel Core i9-11900H.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i9-11900H has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-4860HQ (47 W), Intel Core i9-11900H (45 W).
Do Intel Core i7-4860HQ and Intel Core i9-11900H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-4860HQ: Intel BGA 1364, Intel Core i9-11900H: FCBGA1787), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i9-11900H has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-4860HQ (4 cores), Intel Core i9-11900H (8 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i9-11900H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-4860HQ (8,500), Intel Core i9-11900H (12,345). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.