Core i7-4980HQ
VS
Core i5-7600

Core i7-4980HQ vs Core i5-7600

Intel

Core i7-4980HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 4 GHz2014
VS
Intel

Core i5-7600

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2017

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i7-4980HQ is positioned at rank 417 and the Core i5-7600 is on rank 606, so the Core i7-4980HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4980HQ

#125
Core i7-13700H
MSRP: $502|Avg: N/A
100%
#405
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
561%
#406
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
553%
#407
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
507%
#408
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
505%
#409
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
500%
#411
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
483%
#412
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
463%
#413
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
463%
#414
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
450%
#417
Core i7-4980HQ
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#421
Core i5-9400H
MSRP: $182|Avg: N/A
99%
#426
Celeron 2981U
MSRP: $137|Avg: N/A
99%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-7600

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
10631%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
10046%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
7294%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
2197%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
1741%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
1523%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
872%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
861%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
784%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
784%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
775%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
754%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
743%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
740%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
734%
#279
Ryzen Threadripper 1920X
MSRP: $799|Avg: $265
99%
#280
Core i7-7820X
MSRP: $599|Avg: $198
98%
#383
Ryzen Threadripper 9980X
MSRP: $4999|Avg: $4999
97%
#606
Core i5-7600
MSRP: $224|Avg: $114
100%
#608
FX-9590
MSRP: $350|Avg: $100
99%
#611
Athlon X4 750
MSRP: $95|Avg: $95
99%
#613
A6-3600
MSRP: $95|Avg: $25
98%
#614
Core i7-7740X
MSRP: $339|Avg: $150
97%
#615
Core i3-4130
MSRP: $117|Avg: $55
97%
#617
Pentium G3250T
MSRP: $64|Avg: $30
97%
#619
Core i5-7640X
MSRP: $249|Avg: $85
97%
#620
Athlon II X3 425e
MSRP: $79|Avg: $58
97%
#621
Athlon II X4 640
MSRP: $80|Avg: $15
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Core i5-7600 (2017) utilizes 14 nm technology and DDR4, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightCore i7-4980HQCore i5-7600
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Better multi-core power
Price
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($114)
Longevity
🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm)
✨ Modern (Kaby Lake (2016−2019) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-4980HQ (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightCore i7-4980HQCore i5-7600
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
More affordable ($0)
⚠️ Higher cost ($114)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-4980HQ and Core i5-7600

Intel

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.

Intel

Core i5-7600

The Core i5-7600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,568 points. Launch price was $224.

Processing Power

The Core i7-4980HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Core i5-7600's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i7-4980HQ versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-7600 — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-7600 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-4980HQ uses the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-7600 uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-4980HQ scores 6,539 against the Core i5-7600's 6,568 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-7600. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4980HQ vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-7600.

FeatureCore i7-4980HQCore i5-7600
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 4
Boost Clock
4 GHz
4.1 GHz+2%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz
3.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)+33%
6 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
256K (per core)
Process
22 nm
14 nm-36%
Architecture
Crystalwell (2013−2014)
Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark
6,539
6,568
Geekbench 6 Single
1,307
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-4980HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-7600 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureCore i7-4980HQCore i5-7600
Socket
BGA1364
LGA1151
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2400
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
PCIe Lanes
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i7-4980HQ) / VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600). The Core i5-7600 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-4980HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-7600 rivals Ryzen 5 1500X.

FeatureCore i7-4980HQCore i5-7600
Integrated GPU
Yes
IGPU Model
HD Graphics 630
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use
Desktop