Core i7-7700HQ vs Xeon E5-1620 v3

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 E5-1620 v3 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 E5-1620 v3: 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

✅Draws 45W instead of 140W, a 95W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Xeon E5-1620 v3 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-1620 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (6,880 vs 6,959).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 10 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-1620 v3, which brings 4 cores / 8 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-1620 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +4.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 4 cores / 8 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 16.
✅150% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $294 MSRP, while Core i7-7700HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌211.1% higher power demand at 140W vs 45W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-7700HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-1620 v3 better than Core i7-7700HQ?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-1620 v3 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 gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-1620 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 4.5% 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, Xeon E5-1620 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 66.7% larger total L3 cache (10 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E5-1620 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-1620 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $294 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 4.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.7 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i7-7700HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-7700HQ vs Xeon E5-1620 v3 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 E5-1620 v3

The Xeon E5-1620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 10 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 140 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1333, DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866, DDR4-2133. Passmark benchmark score: 6,959 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-7700HQ and Xeon E5-1620 v3 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-7700HQ versus 3.6 GHz on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-7700HQ (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Core i7-7700HQ uses the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7700HQ scores 6,880 against the Xeon E5-1620 v3's 6,959 — a 1.1% lead for the Xeon E5-1620 v3. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-7700HQ vs 10 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-1620 v3.

Feature	Core i7-7700HQ	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+6%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.5 GHz+25%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	10 MB (total)+67%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	6,880	6,959+1%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7700HQ uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2400 on the Core i7-7700HQ versus DDR4-2133 on the Xeon E5-1620 v3 — the Core i7-7700HQ supports 12.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon E5-1620 v3 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 64 GB — 1100% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-7700HQ) vs 4 (Xeon E5-1620 v3). PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i7-7700HQ) vs 40 (Xeon E5-1620 v3) — the Xeon E5-1620 v3 offers 24 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: BGA1440 (Core i7-7700HQ) and Intel X99,Intel C612 (Xeon E5-1620 v3).

Feature	Core i7-7700HQ	Xeon E5-1620 v3
Socket	BGA1440	LGA2011
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400+13%	DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	768 GB+1100%
RAM Channels	2	4+100%
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	40+150%

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Only the Xeon E5-1620 v3 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. The Core i7-7700HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Xeon E5-1620 v3 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Xeon E5-1620 v3 targets Server.