Core i5-7400 vs Core i7-4710HQ

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 i5-7400 vs Core i7-4710HQ 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 i5-7400 vs Core i7-4710HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7400

2017

Why buy it

✅Includes a boxed cooler (Stock), unlike Core i7-4710HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4710HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (5,477 vs 5,549).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $294 MSRP, while Core i7-4710HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.

Core i7-4710HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-7400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4710HQ better than Core i5-7400?

Yes. Core i7-4710HQ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 10.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.3% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4710HQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 10.9% 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 i7-4710HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.3% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-4710HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4710HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $294 MSRP, and it still gives you a 10.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-7400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1151.

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

Core i5-7400 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7400 vs Core i7-4710HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7400

The Core i5-7400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3 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: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 5,477 points. Launch price was $182.

Core i7-4710HQ

The Core i7-4710HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 April 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,549 points. Launch price was $378.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-7400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4710HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-7400 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-4710HQ — identical boost frequencies (base: 3 GHz vs 2.5 GHz). The Core i5-7400 uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4710HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7400 scores 5,477 against the Core i7-4710HQ's 5,549 — a 1.3% lead for the Core i7-4710HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7400 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4710HQ.

Feature	Core i5-7400	Core i7-4710HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz+20%	2.5 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	5,477	5,549+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,359	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,215	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,517	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4710HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i5-7400 versus DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-4710HQ — the Core i5-7400 supports 50% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-7400 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 i5-7400	Core i7-4710HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+50%	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7400) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4710HQ). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7400) and HD Graphics 4600 (Core i7-4710HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7400 targets Gaming, Core i7-4710HQ targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-7400 rivals Ryzen 3 3300X.