Core i5-6440HQ 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 i5-6440HQ 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 i5-6440HQ 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 i5-6440HQ

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-7300HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,021 vs 5,077).
❌Launch MSRP is still $250 MSRP, while Core i5-7300HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-7300HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7300HQ better than Core i5-6440HQ?

Yes. Core i5-7300HQ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.1% better 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 i5-7300HQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 3.9% 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 i5-7300HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% 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 the easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i5-7300HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $250 MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-6440HQ only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games, especially when the gap is already 3.9% in the shared gaming data.

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 2015) 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 i5-6440HQ vs Core i5-7300HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-6440HQ

The Core i5-6440HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 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: 5,021 points. Launch price was $250.

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 i5-6440HQ and Core i5-7300HQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-6440HQ versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7300HQ — identical boost frequencies (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-6440HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-7300HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-6440HQ scores 5,021 against the Core i5-7300HQ's 5,077 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-7300HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i5-6440HQ vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7300HQ.

Feature	Core i5-6440HQ	Core i5-7300HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz+4%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	5,021	5,077+1%

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1440 socket with PCIe 3.0. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6440HQ versus DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7300HQ — the Core i5-7300HQ 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.

Feature	Core i5-6440HQ	Core i5-7300HQ
Socket	BGA1440	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2133	DDR4-2400+13%
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
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 530 (Core i5-6440HQ) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7300HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6440HQ targets Mobile, Core i5-7300HQ targets Mobile.