Core i7-4770R vs Core i7-6700HQ

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 i7-4770R vs Core i7-6700HQ 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 i7-4770R vs Core i7-6700HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4770R

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics 5200, while Core i7-6700HQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $360 MSRP, while Core i7-6700HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-6700HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 47W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-4770R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,522 vs 6,561).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4770R can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-4770R better than Core i7-6700HQ?

Yes. Core i7-4770R is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.6% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-4770R is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 9.7% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4770R is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-4770R is the better buy right now. Core i7-4770R comes in at an unclear MSRP at $360 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.2 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-6700HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4770R vs Core i7-6700HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4770R

The Core i7-4770R 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,561 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-6700HQ

The Core i7-6700HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,522 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4770R and Core i7-6700HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-4770R versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6700HQ — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-4770R (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i7-4770R uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6700HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4770R scores 6,561 against the Core i7-6700HQ's 6,522 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i7-4770R. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-4770R vs 6 MB on the Core i7-6700HQ.

Feature	Core i7-4770R	Core i7-6700HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz+11%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+23%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	6,561	6,522
Geekbench 6 Single	1,163	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,204	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4770R uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6700HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4770R	Core i7-6700HQ
Socket	BGA1364	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: Yes (Core i7-4770R) / not specified (Core i7-6700HQ). The Core i7-4770R includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 5200), while the Core i7-6700HQ requires a dedicated GPU.