Core i7-6770HQ vs Core i7-6820EQ

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-6770HQ

2016

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-6820EQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,025 vs 7,083).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i7-6770HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-6770HQ

2016

Core i7-6820EQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,025 vs 7,083).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i7-6770HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6770HQ better than Core i7-6820EQ?

Yes. Core i7-6770HQ is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 0.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-6770HQ is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 0.9% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6770HQ is the better 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 i7-6770HQ is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i7-6770HQ is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it gives you a 0.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-6820EQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (18.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older DDR4-era platform.

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

Core i7-6770HQ is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

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.

Core i7-6770HQ Benchmark Check

Core i7-6820EQ Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-6770HQ	Core i7-6820EQ
1080p
low	169 FPS	164 FPS
medium	135 FPS	130 FPS
high	106 FPS	103 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	80 FPS
1440p
low	142 FPS	141 FPS
medium	111 FPS	111 FPS
high	87 FPS	86 FPS
ultra	68 FPS	67 FPS
4K
low	68 FPS	66 FPS
medium	57 FPS	56 FPS
high	45 FPS	43 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	34 FPS

Open Core i7-6770HQ Open Core i7-6820EQ

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-6770HQ	Core i7-6820EQ
1080p
low	177 FPS	176 FPS
medium	153 FPS	153 FPS
high	141 FPS	142 FPS
ultra	106 FPS	106 FPS
1440p
low	159 FPS	154 FPS
medium	133 FPS	133 FPS
high	121 FPS	122 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	95 FPS
4K
low	124 FPS	121 FPS
medium	108 FPS	108 FPS
high	84 FPS	84 FPS
ultra	61 FPS	60 FPS

Open Core i7-6770HQ Open Core i7-6820EQ

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-6770HQ	Core i7-6820EQ
1080p
low	177 FPS	176 FPS
medium	177 FPS	176 FPS
high	177 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	177 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	177 FPS	176 FPS
medium	177 FPS	176 FPS
high	177 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	177 FPS	176 FPS
4K
low	177 FPS	176 FPS
medium	177 FPS	176 FPS
high	177 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	177 FPS	176 FPS

Open Core i7-6770HQ Open Core i7-6820EQ

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-6770HQ	Core i7-6820EQ
1080p
low	177 FPS	176 FPS
medium	177 FPS	176 FPS
high	177 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	177 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	177 FPS	176 FPS
medium	177 FPS	176 FPS
high	177 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	177 FPS	176 FPS
4K
low	177 FPS	176 FPS
medium	177 FPS	176 FPS
high	177 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	177 FPS	176 FPS

Open Core i7-6770HQ Open Core i7-6820EQ

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-6770HQ and Core i7-6820EQ

Core i7-6770HQ

The Core i7-6770HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 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: 7,083 points. Launch price was $434.

Core i7-6820EQ

The Core i7-6820EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 October 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 2.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR3-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,025 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6770HQ and Core i7-6820EQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6770HQ versus 2.8 GHz on the Core i7-6820EQ — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-6770HQ. Both are built on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-6770HQ scores 7,083 against the Core i7-6820EQ's 7,025 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-6770HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-6770HQ vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6820EQ.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Core i7-6820EQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz+25%	2.8 GHz
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	—
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB	1 MB
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	7,083	7,025
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,769	—

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Memory & Platform

Maximum memory speed reaches 2133 on the Core i7-6770HQ versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i7-6820EQ — the Core i7-6770HQ supports 199.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Core i7-6820EQ
Socket	BGA1440	—
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2133+53225%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64	64 GB+104857500%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: true (Core i7-6770HQ) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-6820EQ). Both include integrated graphics — Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580 (Core i7-6770HQ) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i7-6820EQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-6820EQ targets Embedded.