Core i7-7700HQ vs Xeon E-2124

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 i7-7700HQ vs Xeon E-2124 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 i7-7700HQ vs Xeon E-2124: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-7700HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 45W instead of 71W, a 26W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Xeon E-2124 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,880 vs 6,915).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E-2124

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.5% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-7700HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌57.8% higher power demand at 71W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-7700HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2124 better than Core i7-7700HQ?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2124 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-7700HQ is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E-2124 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.5% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 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?

Xeon E-2124 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E-2124 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.5% better PassMark.

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

Xeon E-2124 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2017), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-7700HQ vs Xeon E-2124 Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7700HQ

The Core i7-7700HQ 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 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,880 points. Launch price was $378.

Xeon E-2124

The Xeon E-2124 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 71 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 6,915 points. Launch price was $193.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-7700HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E-2124's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-7700HQ versus 4.3 GHz on the Xeon E-2124 — a 12.3% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2124 (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-7700HQ uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2124 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7700HQ scores 6,880 against the Xeon E-2124's 6,915 — a 0.5% lead for the Xeon E-2124. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-7700HQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2124.

Feature	Core i7-7700HQ	Xeon E-2124
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.3 GHz+13%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.3 GHz+18%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	6,880	6,915

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7700HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E-2124 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-7700HQ	Xeon E-2124
Socket	BGA1440	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-7700HQ) / not specified (Xeon E-2124). The Core i7-7700HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E-2124 requires a dedicated GPU.