Core i7-4702HQ vs Processor N97

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 i7-4702HQ vs Processor N97 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 i7-4702HQ vs Processor N97: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4702HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.0% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,406 vs 5,445).
❌Older platform position on BGA1364, while Processor N97 moves to FCBGA1264 and DDR5.

Processor N97

2023

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Newer platform on FCBGA1264 with DDR5 support instead of BGA1364 and older memory support.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4702HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Processor N97 better than Core i7-4702HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4702HQ is ahead with a 14.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Processor N97 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-4702HQ 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, Processor N97 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Processor N97 still makes the most sense overall. Processor N97 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.7% better PassMark.

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

Processor N97 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2013), a healthier platform with FCBGA1264 and DDR5 instead of BGA1364, and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core i7-4702HQ vs Processor N97 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4702HQ

The Core i7-4702HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 27 May 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,406 points. Launch price was $378.

Processor N97

The Processor N97 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Alder Lake-N (2023) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (total). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Thermal design power (TDP): + 6 MB. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5 4800 MHz Single-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 5,445 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4702HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Processor N97's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the Core i7-4702HQ versus 3.6 GHz on the Processor N97 — a 11.8% clock advantage for the Processor N97 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2 GHz). The Core i7-4702HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Processor N97 uses Alder Lake-N (2023) (10 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4702HQ scores 5,406 against the Processor N97's 5,445 — a 0.7% lead for the Processor N97. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4702HQ vs 6 MB (total) on the Processor N97.

Feature	Core i7-4702HQ	Processor N97
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.2 GHz	3.6 GHz+12%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz+10%	2 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)+33%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB (total)
Process	22 nm	10 nm-55%
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Alder Lake-N (2023)
PassMark	5,406	5,445

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4702HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Processor N97 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.