Core i3-9300 vs Core i7-6770HQ

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-9300 vs Core i7-6770HQ FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-9300 vs Core i7-6770HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-9300

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-6770HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $143 MSRP, while Core i7-6770HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌37.8% higher power demand at 62W vs 45W.

Core i7-6770HQ

2016

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 62W, a 17W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i3-9300 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,769 vs 4,025).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i3-9300.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-9300 better than Core i7-6770HQ?

Yes. Core i3-9300 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 127.5% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.3% higher PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i3-9300 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.0% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i3-9300 is the stronger fit. You are getting 127.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-9300 is the better buy right now. Core i3-9300 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $143 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (49.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-9300 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2016) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i3-9300 vs Core i7-6770HQ Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-9300

The Core i3-9300 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 23 April 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 62 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 7,105 points. Launch price was $143.

Core i7-6770HQ

The Core i7-6770HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,083 points. Launch price was $434.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-9300 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-6770HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.3 GHz on the Core i3-9300 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6770HQ — a 20.5% clock advantage for the Core i3-9300 (base: 3.7 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i3-9300 uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-6770HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-9300 scores 7,105 against the Core i7-6770HQ's 7,083 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i3-9300. Multi-core Geekbench: 4,025 vs 1,769 (77.9% advantage for the Core i3-9300). L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i3-9300 vs 6 MB on the Core i7-6770HQ.

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i7-6770HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.3 GHz+23%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+42%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	7,105	7,083
Geekbench 6 Single	1,498	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	4,025+128%	1,769

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-9300 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6770HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i3-9300 versus 2133 on the Core i7-6770HQ — the Core i3-9300 supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: LGA1151 (Core i3-9300) and HM170,QM170,CM236 (Core i7-6770HQ).

Feature	Core i3-9300	Core i7-6770HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	Yes	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i3-9300) vs true (Core i7-6770HQ). Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics 630 (Core i3-9300) and Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580 (Core i7-6770HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU.