Quick Verdict
A fast dual-core mobile CPU offering excellent single-threaded burst performance, but its lack of physical cores limits modern multi-tasking.
Overview
Launch
2014
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
4th Gen
Market
Mobile
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 Core i7-4610M is a slightly faster version of the 4600M, pushing the base clock to 3.0 GHz. With 2 cores, 4 threads, and a socketed G3 design, it was a versatile chip for business machines.
Its high single-core speed keeps it viable for basic legacy computing.
Specifications
Performance
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Haswell
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
4 MB
L3 Cache
37 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i7-4610M is built on the standard Haswell mobile microarchitecture, utilizing Intel's 22nm Tri-Gate process. As a refresh part, it shares the exact same die and architecture as the i7-4600M but is binned for slightly higher clock speeds, achieving 3.0 GHz at base and 3.7 GHz at turbo. The architecture features 2 physical cores with Hyper-Threading and 4MB of L3 cache. It includes the fully integrated voltage regulator (FVR) for streamlined power delivery. The processor integrates Intel HD Graphics 4600 with 20 Execution Units, dynamically scaling up to 1300 MHz to handle multimedia decoding. The memory controller supports dual-channel DDR3-1600. The use of the Socket G3 (rPGA946B) interface is a key architectural feature, providing a modular approach to mobile computing that allowed OEMs to offer different CPU tiers on the same motherboard and gave end-users the rare ability to upgrade their laptop's CPU post-purchase.
CPU Design
2 cores, 4 threads, locked, socketed package.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1600.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- 100 MHz higher base clock
- 100 MHz higher turbo boost
Key Highlights
- High 3.0 GHz base clock
- Socketed design allows upgrades
- Excellent single-threaded performance
- Supports VT-d for virtualization
- Only 2 physical cores
- 37W TDP limits battery life
- Obsolete DDR3 memory support
- Hard to find on the used market
History
Launched in February 2014, the Core i7-4610M was a minor refresh within Intel's Haswell mobile lineup. As the industry prepared for the Broadwell transition, Intel released these slightly faster binning to maintain competitive pressure. The 4610M offered a modest 100 MHz increase over the 4600M, pushing the base clock to 3.
0 GHz. While unremarkable in isolation, this chip is notable for being part of the last generation of socketed mainstream mobile processors. The Socket G3 interface allowed OEMs to build versatile laptop chassis that could be configured with anything from a Pentium to a quad-core i7 simply by swapping the chip.
For repair technicians and enthusiasts, the 4610M represented a viable upgrade path for users stuck with slower i3 or i5 chips in the same motherboard. It stands as a testament to an era where laptop modularity was still feasible, before the industry fully committed to soldered BGA designs to satisfy the demands of ever-thinner ultrabooks and tablets.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 100 MHz higher base clock
- 100 MHz higher turbo boost
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Upgrading a Socket G3 laptop for cheap
Avoid if…
- You need quad-core performance
- You are buying a new laptop
- You want modern iGPU performance
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It is a slightly faster refresh of the i7-4600M.
Uses the FC-PGA946 package.
Contains 960 million transistors on a 131 mm² die.
Part number is SR1KY.
Max Tcase is 100°C.
Can be swapped for a quad-core i7-4700MQ in compatible laptops.
Features HD 4600 graphics with a max dynamic frequency of 1300 MHz.
Supports Intel Wireless Display (WiDi).
Despite being a dual-core, it has 4MB of L3 cache.
Launched at the same $346 price point as the 4600M.
People Also Ask
Is the i7-4610M good for gaming?
It can handle older games if paired with a dedicated GPU, but its dual-core design will bottleneck modern titles.
Can the i7-4610M be overclocked?
No, it has a locked multiplier.
Can I upgrade the i7-4610M in my laptop?
Yes, it uses Socket G3, so it can be upgraded to a quad-core i7-4700MQ if the cooling allows.
What is the difference between i7-4610M and i7-4600M?
The 4610M has a 100 MHz higher base and turbo clock speed.
What is the TDP of the i7-4610M?
It has a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 37 Watts.
Does the i7-4610M have integrated graphics?
Yes, it includes Intel HD Graphics 4600.
What socket does the i7-4610M use?
It uses the Intel Socket G3 (rPGA946B).
Does it support Hyper-Threading?
Yes, it has 2 cores and 4 threads.
What memory does it support?
It supports dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory.
What is the max turbo of the i7-4610M?
The maximum turbo boost is 3.7 GHz.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base clock of the i7-4610M?
The base clock is 3.0 GHz.
Does it support PCIe 3.0?
Yes, it supports 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0.
What is the L3 cache size?
It has 4 MB of L3 cache.
What generation is the i7-4610M?
It is a 4th Generation Intel Core processor (Haswell).
What is the part number?
The part number is SR1KY.
What is the max graphics dynamic frequency?
The HD 4600 graphics can boost up to 1300 MHz.
What is the max memory bandwidth?
The max memory bandwidth is 25.6 GB/s.
Does it support AVX2?
Yes, it supports AVX2 instructions.
Can it run Windows 11?
Officially unsupported, but workarounds exist.
Is it good for video editing?
It can handle basic 1080p editing, but will struggle with 4K.