If you've been looking for a high performance gaming notebook or just a high performance notebook in general, you probably have seen literally dozens of I7 models. Ranging from the 4700MQ all the way to the 4980HQ. So which one do you choose?
Intel has lots of fancy numbers for their CPUs, but the feature/performance difference is extremely minor (besides integrated graphics).
First, well start off on how each series (47xx, 48xx, etc) of CPUs differs:
1. 47xx line up: These quad core i7's are the mainstream and most popular line of CPUs. Since they offer great gaming performance while not costing you your entire wallet. Compared to the 48xx and 49xx line up, these CPUs have slightly less MHz clock speeds and lacks vpro support.(Who uses vpro on a non professional notebook anyway?)
2. 48xx line up: This series has the extra features like vpro, and also sports higher overclock CPUs that boost to around 3.9Ghz. However, they cost a lot more for only a few extra mhz. So if your buying a gaming laptop specifically for gaming then the 47xx is better.
3. 49xx line up: These CPUs are the most expensive out of all the rest, starting at around $600. To compare, a more powerful i7 4790K goes for $320-$340. Some of these CPUs pack 8m of cache instead of 6mb (however that's really minor...) and packs clock speeds up to 4.0ghz.
4. 49xxMX Extreme Edition: These are the top of the line/enthusiast mobile CPUs. Basically a mobile version of the 4790K, these CPUs pack clock speeds of up to 4.0ghz and feature an unlocked multiplier just like it's Desktop Extreme Edition counterparts. However, this is only for the rich geeks, the CPU alone will run you $1000. While offering equal to less performance than the $330 4790K desktop CPU. So if you want mobility and desktop performance, you'll have to pay a price for that.
Overall, the 47xx line up is the best for your typical user. I only suggest buying anything more expensive for stuff like VMs, rendering, extreme multitasking and more. But, if your on a budget and do these things, then a 47xx CPU can do all these things, just a tad slower.
Features:
1. MQ, HQ, U, M (like 4700MQ or 4980HQ). What do all these letters mean?
These letters state what that CPU has in it and what it's designed for:
a. M & MQ. These letterings simply mean Mobile. Which stands for it's design in use with notebooks specifically. They have a lower TDP and clock speed than their desktop counterparts. The Q stands for quad core.
b. HQ. This lettering stands for a more powerful IGPU (integrated graphics). All M models have your normal 4600 HD graphics, while the HQ models have the far more powerful Intel 5200 Iris Pro graphics. Iris Pro has enough power to run 4k streams well and can even game at low settings on BF4. (However, there is one exception to this...)
C. U. This stands for Ultrabook. These CPUs are designed specifically for an ultrabooks ultra compact design. They sport 17W TDPs, but come at the cost of being dual core only and lower clock speeds.
D. MX. This stands for Extreme Edition. These CPUs sport a unlocked multiplier for overclocking.
I hope this helps with any issues you might have with CPU shopping. It can be a massive headache trying to sort out which mobile CPU to buy. I hope this helps your choices.
If you have anymore questions, feel free to PM me.
Intel has lots of fancy numbers for their CPUs, but the feature/performance difference is extremely minor (besides integrated graphics).
First, well start off on how each series (47xx, 48xx, etc) of CPUs differs:
1. 47xx line up: These quad core i7's are the mainstream and most popular line of CPUs. Since they offer great gaming performance while not costing you your entire wallet. Compared to the 48xx and 49xx line up, these CPUs have slightly less MHz clock speeds and lacks vpro support.(Who uses vpro on a non professional notebook anyway?)
2. 48xx line up: This series has the extra features like vpro, and also sports higher overclock CPUs that boost to around 3.9Ghz. However, they cost a lot more for only a few extra mhz. So if your buying a gaming laptop specifically for gaming then the 47xx is better.
3. 49xx line up: These CPUs are the most expensive out of all the rest, starting at around $600. To compare, a more powerful i7 4790K goes for $320-$340. Some of these CPUs pack 8m of cache instead of 6mb (however that's really minor...) and packs clock speeds up to 4.0ghz.
4. 49xxMX Extreme Edition: These are the top of the line/enthusiast mobile CPUs. Basically a mobile version of the 4790K, these CPUs pack clock speeds of up to 4.0ghz and feature an unlocked multiplier just like it's Desktop Extreme Edition counterparts. However, this is only for the rich geeks, the CPU alone will run you $1000. While offering equal to less performance than the $330 4790K desktop CPU. So if you want mobility and desktop performance, you'll have to pay a price for that.
Overall, the 47xx line up is the best for your typical user. I only suggest buying anything more expensive for stuff like VMs, rendering, extreme multitasking and more. But, if your on a budget and do these things, then a 47xx CPU can do all these things, just a tad slower.
Features:
1. MQ, HQ, U, M (like 4700MQ or 4980HQ). What do all these letters mean?
These letters state what that CPU has in it and what it's designed for:
a. M & MQ. These letterings simply mean Mobile. Which stands for it's design in use with notebooks specifically. They have a lower TDP and clock speed than their desktop counterparts. The Q stands for quad core.
b. HQ. This lettering stands for a more powerful IGPU (integrated graphics). All M models have your normal 4600 HD graphics, while the HQ models have the far more powerful Intel 5200 Iris Pro graphics. Iris Pro has enough power to run 4k streams well and can even game at low settings on BF4. (However, there is one exception to this...)
C. U. This stands for Ultrabook. These CPUs are designed specifically for an ultrabooks ultra compact design. They sport 17W TDPs, but come at the cost of being dual core only and lower clock speeds.
D. MX. This stands for Extreme Edition. These CPUs sport a unlocked multiplier for overclocking.
I hope this helps with any issues you might have with CPU shopping. It can be a massive headache trying to sort out which mobile CPU to buy. I hope this helps your choices.
If you have anymore questions, feel free to PM me.
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