Core i7-3770K vs Core i7-4980HQ

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 i7-3770K vs Core i7-4980HQ 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 i7-3770K vs Core i7-4980HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-3770K

2012

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,495 vs 6,539).
❌Launch MSRP is still $332 MSRP, while Core i7-4980HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌63.8% higher power demand at 77W vs 47W.

Core i7-4980HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 47W instead of 77W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-3770K across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4980HQ better than Core i7-3770K?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-3770K is ahead with a 7.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4980HQ pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4980HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4980HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-4980HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $332 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-3770K only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (19.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i7-4980HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2012) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-3770K vs Core i7-4980HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-3770K

The Core i7-3770K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,495 points. Launch price was $294.

Core i7-4980HQ

The Core i7-4980HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 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: 6,539 points. Launch price was $623.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-3770K and Core i7-4980HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-3770K versus 4 GHz on the Core i7-4980HQ — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4980HQ (base: 3.5 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-3770K uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-4980HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-3770K scores 6,495 against the Core i7-4980HQ's 6,539 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-4980HQ. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-3770K	Core i7-4980HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.5 GHz+25%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,495	6,539

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-3770K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-4980HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.