Core i5-7640X vs Core i7-4770

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 i5-7640X vs Core i7-4770 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 i5-7640X vs Core i7-4770: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-7640X

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $54 less on MSRP ($249 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.4 vs 23.3 PassMark/$ ($249 MSRP vs $303 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4770 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌33.3% higher power demand at 112W vs 84W.

Core i7-4770

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 84W instead of 112W, a 28W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,055 vs 7,060).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.3 vs 28.4 PassMark/$ ($303 MSRP vs $249 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7640X better than Core i7-4770?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4770 is ahead with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7640X pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark. Core i7-4770 also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7640X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7640X is the better buy right now. Core i5-7640X comes in $54 cheaper on MSRP at $249 MSRP versus $303 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-4770 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 4.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 21.8% better value on MSRP (28.4 vs 23.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-7640X 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 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-7640X vs Core i7-4770 Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-7640X

The Core i5-7640X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4 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: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 112 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 7,060 points. Launch price was $242.

Core i7-4770

The Core i7-4770 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 84 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 7,055 points. Launch price was $500.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7640X packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-4770's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-7640X versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4770 — a 7.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-7640X (base: 4 GHz vs 3.4 GHz). The Core i5-7640X uses the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-4770 uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7640X scores 7,060 against the Core i7-4770's 7,055 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-7640X. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7640X vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-4770.

Feature	Core i5-7640X	Core i7-4770
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+8%	3.9 GHz
Base Clock	4 GHz+18%	3.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-X (2017)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	7,060	7,055
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,726	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,419	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,726	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7640X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4770 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7640X	Core i7-4770
Socket	LGA2066	LGA1150
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i5-7640X) / not specified (Core i7-4770). Primary use case: Core i5-7640X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-7640X	Core i7-4770
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	Yes	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-7640X was priced at $249, while the Core i7-4770 came in at $303. On launch pricing ($249 vs $303), Core i5-7640X was $54 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-7640X delivers 28.4 pts/$ vs 23.3 pts/$ for the Core i7-4770 — making the Core i5-7640X the 19.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-7640X	Core i7-4770
MSRP	$249-18%	$303
Performance per Dollar	28.4+22%	23.3
Release Date	2017	2013

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