Core i7-4950HQ vs Core i7-7820HK

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 i7-4950HQ vs Core i7-7820HK 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 i7-4950HQ vs Core i7-7820HK: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-4950HQ

2013

Why buy it

✅+0.1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Iris Pro Graphics 5200, while Core i7-7820HK needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7820HK across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Core i7-7820HK

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +7.1% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 47W, a 2W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,397 vs 7,405).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i7-4950HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-4950HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7820HK better than Core i7-4950HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-7820HK is ahead with a 7.1% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4950HQ pulls ahead with 0.1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-4950HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-7820HK is the better buy right now. Core i7-7820HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 7.1% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-4950HQ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.1% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-7820HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-4950HQ vs Core i7-7820HK Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-4950HQ

The Core i7-4950HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 7 June 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 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: 7,405 points. Launch price was $657.

Core i7-7820HK

The Core i7-7820HK is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,397 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-4950HQ and Core i7-7820HK share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4950HQ versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-7820HK — a 8% clock advantage for the Core i7-7820HK (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-4950HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-7820HK uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4950HQ scores 7,405 against the Core i7-7820HK's 7,397 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i7-4950HQ. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-4950HQ	Core i7-7820HK
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.9 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.9 GHz+21%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	7,405	7,397
Cinebench R23 Multi	3,317	—
Geekbench 6 Single	842	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,317	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4950HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7820HK uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-4950HQ	Core i7-7820HK
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 i7-4950HQ) / not specified (Core i7-7820HK). The Core i7-4950HQ includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 5200), while the Core i7-7820HK requires a dedicated GPU.