Core i5-4570S vs Core i5-7300HQ

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 i5-4570S vs Core i5-7300HQ 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 i5-4570S vs Core i5-7300HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-4570S

2013

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,016 vs 5,077).
❌Launch MSRP is still $195 MSRP, while Core i5-7300HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌44.4% higher power demand at 65W vs 45W.

Core i5-7300HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 65W, a 20W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7300HQ better than Core i5-4570S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-4570S is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7300HQ pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7300HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7300HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7300HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $195 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. Core i5-4570S only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2013 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (25.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1150.

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

Core i5-7300HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-4570S vs Core i5-7300HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-4570S

The Core i5-4570S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,016 points. Launch price was $410.

Core i5-7300HQ

The Core i5-7300HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,077 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-4570S and Core i5-7300HQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-4570S versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7300HQ — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-4570S (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-4570S uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-7300HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-4570S scores 5,016 against the Core i5-7300HQ's 5,077 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-7300HQ. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-4570S vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7300HQ.

Feature	Core i5-4570S	Core i5-7300HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+16%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	5,016	5,077+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-4570S uses the LGA1150 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7300HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-4570S versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7300HQ — the Core i5-7300HQ supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-7300HQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-4570S	Core i5-7300HQ
Socket	LGA1150	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2400+50%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4600 (Core i5-4570S) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7300HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-4570S targets Desktop, Core i5-7300HQ targets Mobile.