Core i5-6440HQ vs Core i5-7300HQ

Core i5-6440HQ

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2015

Core i5-7300HQ

4 Cores4 Thrd45 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-6440HQ

4 / 4

5,021

0.0%

5,077

+1.1%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-6440HQ is positioned at rank 879 and the Core i5-7300HQ is on rank 698, so the Core i5-7300HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-6440HQ

#867

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1461%

#868

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1440%

#869

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1322%

#870

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1316%

#871

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1304%

#873

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1259%

#874

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1207%

#875

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1205%

#876

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1173%

#879

Core i5-6440HQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#882

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

100%

#884

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

100%

#889

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#890

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

98%

#891

E-300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $20

98%

#892

Core i7-7820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7300HQ

#686

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

983%

#687

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

968%

#688

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

889%

#689

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

885%

#690

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

877%

#692

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

847%

#693

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

812%

#694

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

810%

#695

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

789%

#698

Core i5-7300HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

#699

Athlon Silver 3050e

MSRP: $100|Avg: $60

100%

#705

C-60

MSRP: $50|Avg: $20

99%

#712

Core i7-10850H

MSRP: $395|Avg: N/A

98%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-7300HQ (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Core i5-6440HQ	Core i5-7300HQ
Gaming	Balanced gaming performance	Balanced gaming performance
Workstation	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks	✅ Better multi-core power
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($250)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Skylake (2015−2016) / 14 nm)	✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-H (2017) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i5-6440HQ (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, DDR4, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Core i5-6440HQ	Core i5-7300HQ
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($250)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-6440HQ Benchmark Check

Core i5-7300HQ Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-6440HQ and Core i5-7300HQ

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.

⚡

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+300%	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	5,021	5,077+1%

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1440 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR4-2133 memory speed. 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
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	❌
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

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.