Core i7-7820HK vs Core i7-7920HQ

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 i7-7820HK vs Core i7-7920HQ 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 i7-7820HK vs Core i7-7920HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-7820HK

2017

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $378 MSRP, while Core i7-7920HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-7920HQ

2017

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,322 vs 7,397).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7820HK better than Core i7-7920HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-7920HQ is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7820HK pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7820HK 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 i7-7820HK is the better buy right now. Core i7-7820HK comes in at an unclear MSRP at $378 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-7920HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-7820HK makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 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 i7-7820HK vs Core i7-7920HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-7820HK

The Core i7-7820HK 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: 7,397 points. Launch price was $378.

Core i7-7920HQ

The Core i7-7920HQ 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 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 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: 7,322 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-7820HK and Core i7-7920HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.9 GHz on the Core i7-7820HK versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-7920HQ — a 5% clock advantage for the Core i7-7920HQ (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). Both are built on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture using a 14 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i7-7820HK scores 7,397 against the Core i7-7920HQ's 7,322 — a 1% lead for the Core i7-7820HK. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-7820HK	Core i7-7920HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.9 GHz	4.1 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.1 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-H (2017)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	7,397+1%	7,322