Core i7-6770HQ vs Core i7-6820HK

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 i7-6770HQ vs Core i7-6820HK 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 i7-6770HQ vs Core i7-6820HK: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-6770HQ

2016

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580, while Core i7-6820HK needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

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

Core i7-6820HK

2015

Why buy it

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

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,012 vs 7,083).
❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i7-6770HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-6770HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

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

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-6820HK is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6770HQ pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i7-6820HK also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-6770HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% 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 easy recommendation for a fresh desktop build. Core i7-6770HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $378 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. Core i7-6820HK only looks good on raw value math because it is a cheap legacy laptop chip, not because it is a real desktop gaming recommendation. It simply does not keep up in modern games.

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

Core i7-6770HQ makes more sense long term 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 is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-6770HQ vs Core i7-6820HK Technical Specifications

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

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 i7-6820HK

The Core i7-6820HK 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 8 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: 7,012 points. Launch price was $378.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6770HQ and Core i7-6820HK share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6770HQ versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-6820HK — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-6820HK (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). 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 i7-6820HK's 7,012 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-6770HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-6770HQ vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6820HK.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Core i7-6820HK
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.7 GHz+4%
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+1%	7,012
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,769	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1440 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Core i7-6820HK
Socket	BGA1440	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	2133	—
Max RAM Capacity	64	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-6770HQ) / not specified (Core i7-6820HK). The Core i7-6770HQ includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580), while the Core i7-6820HK requires a dedicated GPU.