
Core i7-7700HQ vs Xeon E3-1265L v4

Core i7-7700HQ

Xeon E3-1265L v4
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 i7-7700HQ is positioned at rank 493 and the Xeon E3-1265L v4 is on rank 674, so the Core i7-7700HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i7-7700HQ
Performance Per Dollar Xeon E3-1265L v4
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i7-7700HQ | Xeon E3-1265L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
| Longevity | ✨ Modern (Kaby Lake-H (2017) / 14 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-DT (2015) / 14 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i7-7700HQ | Xeon E3-1265L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ✅ More affordable ($0) | ⚠️ Higher cost ($80) |
Performance Check
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 i7-7700HQ and Xeon E3-1265L v4

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 E3-1265L v4
The Xeon E3-1265L v4 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Broadwell-DT (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.3 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1150. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR3L-1333, DDR3L-1600, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 6,954 points. Launch price was $800.
Processing Power
Both the Core i7-7700HQ and Xeon E3-1265L v4 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-7700HQ versus 3.3 GHz on the Xeon E3-1265L v4 — a 14.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-7700HQ (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.3 GHz). The Core i7-7700HQ uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1265L v4 uses Broadwell-DT (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7700HQ scores 6,880 against the Xeon E3-1265L v4's 6,954 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E3-1265L v4. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.
| Feature | Core i7-7700HQ | Xeon E3-1265L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 8 | 4 / 8 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+15% | 3.3 GHz |
| Base Clock | 2.8 GHz+22% | 2.3 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB (total) |
| L2 Cache | 256K (per core) | 256K (per core) |
| Process | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Architecture | Kaby Lake-H (2017) | Broadwell-DT (2015) |
| PassMark | 6,880 | 6,954+1% |
| Cinebench R23 Multi | — | 4,500 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | — | 900 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | — | 3,000 |
Memory & Platform
The Core i7-7700HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1265L v4 uses LGA1150 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i7-7700HQ versus DDR3-1866 on the Xeon E3-1265L v4 — the Core i7-7700HQ supports 28.6% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i7-7700HQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: BGA1440 (Core i7-7700HQ) and C226 (Xeon E3-1265L v4).
| Feature | Core i7-7700HQ | Xeon E3-1265L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | BGA1440 | LGA1150 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 5.0+67% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR4-2400+33% | DDR3-1866 |
| Max RAM Capacity | 64 GB+100% | 32 GB |
| RAM Channels | 2 | 2 |
| ECC Support | ❌ | ✅ |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | 16 |
Advanced Features
Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 630 (Core i7-7700HQ) and Iris Pro Graphics P6300 (Xeon E3-1265L v4) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E3-1265L v4 targets Server.
| Feature | Core i7-7700HQ | Xeon E3-1265L v4 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | Yes |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 630 | Iris Pro Graphics P6300 |
| Unlocked | No | No |
| AVX-512 | No | No |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d | VT-x, VT-d |
| Target Use | — | Server |
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