Core i7-4770HQ vs Xeon X5660

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 i7-4770HQ vs Xeon X5660 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 i7-4770HQ vs Xeon X5660: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4770HQ

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 47W instead of 95W, a 48W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics 5200, while Xeon X5660 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon X5660 across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 12 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon X5660, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads.

Xeon X5660

2010

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.9% higher average FPS across 46 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 8 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (5,979 vs 6,028).
❌Launch MSRP is still $1,219 MSRP, while Core i7-4770HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌102.1% higher power demand at 95W vs 47W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4770HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4770HQ better than Xeon X5660?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon X5660 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-4770HQ is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4770HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4770HQ is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon X5660 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Core i7-4770HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $1,219 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon X5660 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 6.9% average FPS lead across 46 shared CPU game tests in our data. Xeon X5660 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (4.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

Core i7-4770HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-4770HQ vs Xeon X5660 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4770HQ

The Core i7-4770HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2014 (11 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 3.4 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: 6,028 points. Launch price was $434.

Xeon X5660

The Xeon X5660 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Westmere-EP (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 5,979 points. Launch price was $33.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-4770HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon X5660 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon X5660 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-4770HQ versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon X5660 — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-4770HQ (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-4770HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Xeon X5660 uses Westmere-EP (2010−2011) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4770HQ scores 6,028 against the Xeon X5660's 5,979 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-4770HQ. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4770HQ vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon X5660.

Feature	Core i7-4770HQ	Xeon X5660
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+6%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.8 GHz+27%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	12 MB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Westmere-EP (2010−2011)
PassMark	6,028	5,979
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,249	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4770HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon X5660 uses LGA1366 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3L-1600 on the Core i7-4770HQ versus DDR3-1333 on the Xeon X5660 — the Core i7-4770HQ supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-4770HQ) vs 3 (Xeon X5660). Chipset compatibility: Mobile (Core i7-4770HQ) and Intel X58,Intel 5520 (Xeon X5660).

Feature	Core i7-4770HQ	Xeon X5660
Socket	BGA1364	LGA1366
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600+20%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	3+50%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4770HQ) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon X5660). The Core i7-4770HQ includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 5200), while the Xeon X5660 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon X5660 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Xeon X5660 rivals Core i7-980X.