Core i7-6770HQ vs Core i7-7820HQ

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 i7-7820HQ 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 i7-7820HQ: 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

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580, while Core i7-7820HQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7820HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,083 vs 7,184).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-7820HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +6.9% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-6770HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7820HQ better than Core i7-6770HQ?

Yes. Core i7-7820HQ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-7820HQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.9% 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 i7-7820HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-7820HQ still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-7820HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.9% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-7820HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2016), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), 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 i7-7820HQ 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 i7-7820HQ

The Core i7-7820HQ 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: 7,184 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-6770HQ and Core i7-7820HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-6770HQ versus 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-7820HQ — a 10.8% clock advantage for the Core i7-7820HQ (base: 2.6 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i7-6770HQ uses the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7820HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-6770HQ scores 7,083 against the Core i7-7820HQ's 7,184 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i7-7820HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB on the Core i7-6770HQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-7820HQ.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Core i7-7820HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.9 GHz+11%
Base Clock	2.6 GHz	2.9 GHz+12%
L3 Cache	6 MB	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	1 MB	256K (per core)+25500%
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Skylake (2015−2016)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	7,083	7,184+1%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,769	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the BGA1440 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i7-6770HQ	Core i7-7820HQ
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	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: true (Core i7-6770HQ) / not specified (Core i7-7820HQ). The Core i7-6770HQ includes integrated graphics (Intel Iris Pro Graphics 580), while the Core i7-7820HQ requires a dedicated GPU.