Core i5-7600K vs Core i7-7700HQ

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 i5-7600K vs Core i7-7700HQ 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 i5-7600K vs Core i7-7700HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7600K

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,813 vs 6,880).
❌Launch MSRP is still $217 MSRP, while Core i7-7700HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌102.2% higher power demand at 91W vs 45W.

Core i7-7700HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 91W, a 46W reduction.

Trade-offs

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

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7700HQ better than Core i5-7600K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7600K is ahead with a 1.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7700HQ pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7700HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-7700HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-7700HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $217 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. Core i5-7600K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2017 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (31.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-7700HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-7600K vs Core i7-7700HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7600K

The Core i5-7600K 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 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,813 points. Launch price was $242.

Core i7-7700HQ

The Core i7-7700HQ 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,880 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7600K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-7700HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-7600K versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-7700HQ — a 10% clock advantage for the Core i5-7600K (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-7600K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7700HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7600K scores 6,813 against the Core i7-7700HQ's 6,880 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-7700HQ. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Core i7-7700HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+11%	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+36%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	6,813	6,880
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,143	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,800	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7700HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR4-2400 memory speed. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z270,H270,B250 (Core i5-7600K) and BGA1440 (Core i7-7700HQ).

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Core i7-7700HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	DDR4-2400
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

Only the Core i5-7600K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-7700HQ). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 630 (Core i5-7600K) and HD Graphics 630 (Core i7-7700HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600K targets Gaming/Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Core i7-7700HQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 630	HD Graphics 630
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Gaming/Desktop	—