Intel Core i7 4930MX vs Intel Core i9 9900K: Which One Reigns Supreme in 2024?

Summary

Featuring a 6 MB L3 cache and a 45 W TDP (Thermal Design Power), the 4930MX was a top-of-the-line mobile CPU during its time.
With a 16 MB L3 Cache and a 95 W TDP, the 9900K shattered performance records for its time.
In contrast, the 9900K utilizes the Coffee Lake architecture, designed for maximum performance with a focus on multi-core processing and gaming.

The world of CPUs is a constant battleground of innovation, with each new generation pushing the boundaries of performance. Today, we’re diving into a fascinating comparison between two processors from different eras: the Intel Core i7 4930MX and the Intel Core i9 9900K. These CPUs represent distinct generations and architectures, offering unique strengths and weaknesses. This in-depth analysis will help you understand which processor reigns supreme, depending on your specific needs and applications.

In This Article

The Contenders: A Glimpse into Their History
Architecture and Design: Understanding the Differences
Core Count and Threading: A Tale of Two Powerhouses
Clock Speeds and Turbo Boost: A Race to the Top
Cache Size: The Memory Advantage

The Contenders: A Glimpse into Their History

Intel Core i7 4930MX: This powerhouse was launched in 2012 as part of Intel’s Ivy Bridge generation. It’s a quad-core processor designed for high-performance laptops, boasting a base clock speed of 3.0 GHz and a Turbo Boost frequency of 3.8 GHz. Featuring a 6 MB L3 cache and a 45 W TDP (Thermal Design Power), the 4930MX was a top-of-the-line mobile CPU during its time.
Intel Core i9 9900K: This desktop behemoth was released in 2018, representing the 9th generation of Intel’s Coffee Lake architecture. It’s an 8-core, 16-thread processor with a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz and a Turbo Boost frequency of 5.0 GHz. With a 16 MB L3 Cache and a 95 W TDP, the 9900K shattered performance records for its time.

Architecture and Design: Understanding the Differences

The 4930MX and 9900K employ distinct microarchitectures, leading to significant differences in performance and efficiency. The 4930MX utilizes Intel‘s Ivy Bridge architecture, which focuses on optimizing power consumption while maintaining high performance. In contrast, the 9900K utilizes the Coffee Lake architecture, designed for maximum performance with a focus on multi-core processing and gaming.

Core Count and Threading: A Tale of Two Powerhouses

The 4930MX boasts 4 cores and 8 threads, while the 9900K offers 8 cores and 16 threads. This difference in core count and threading capability significantly impacts the performance of multi-threaded tasks. The 9900K excels in scenarios like video editing, 3D rendering, and multitasking, where multiple cores and threads are heavily utilized.

Clock Speeds and Turbo Boost: A Race to the Top

Both CPUs offer impressive clock speeds, but the 9900K takes the lead. While the 4930MX has a base clock speed of 3.0 GHz and a Turbo Boost frequency of 3.8 GHz, the 9900K boasts a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz and a Turbo Boost frequency of 5.0 GHz. This higher clock speed translates to faster processing speeds, especially when running demanding applications.

Cache Size: The Memory Advantage

The 9900K wins the cache size battle with a larger 16 MB L3 cache compared to the 4930MX’s 6 MB L3 cache. This larger cache allows the 9900K to store more data closer to the CPU, enabling faster data access and improving overall performance.

Power Consumption and Thermal Design Power (TDP): A Balancing Act

The 4930MX has a lower TDP of 45 W compared to the 9900K’s 95 W. This lower TDP reflects the 4930MX’s focus on energy efficiency, making it a more suitable choice for mobile devices where power consumption is a crucial factor. The 9900K’s higher TDP reflects its pursuit of peak performance, requiring a more robust cooling solution to manage heat dissipation.

Performance Benchmarks: Putting the CPUs to the Test

While benchmarks provide insights into performance, they don’t tell the whole story. The 9900K consistently outperforms the 4930MX across various benchmarks, showcasing its superior performance in demanding tasks. For instance, in CPU-intensive tasks like video editing and 3D rendering, the 9900K exhibits a significant performance advantage.

Gaming Performance: A Battlefield of FPS

In gaming, the 9900K generally provides a smoother and more responsive experience due to its higher clock speeds and multi-core capabilities. However, the 4930MX can still deliver a respectable gaming experience, especially in less demanding titles.

Price and Availability: A Matter of Perspective

The 4930MX is no longer available for purchase as it’s a discontinued product. However, used models can be found at varying prices depending on their condition. The 9900K is also discontinued, but used models are readily available.

The Verdict: Choosing the Right Processor

The choice between the Intel Core i7 4930MX and the Intel Core i9 9900K ultimately depends on your specific needs and priorities.

For mobile users: The 4930MX is a powerful choice for laptops, offering a balance between performance and energy efficiency.
For desktop users: The 9900K is a performance powerhouse for demanding tasks like video editing, 3D rendering, and gaming.

A Look into the Future: Exploring Newer Options

While both the 4930MX and 9900K are impressive CPUs, newer generations offer even greater performance and efficiency. For those seeking the latest and greatest, consider exploring options like the Intel Core i9-13900K, a 24-core processor with incredible performance capabilities.