Microsoft SQ1 vs Core i7-4770HQ

Microsoft SQ1

8 Cores8 Thrd0 WWMax: 3 GHz2019

Core i7-4770HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2014

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Microsoft SQ1

8 / 8

6,039

+0.2%

Core i7-4770HQ

4 / 8

6,028

0.0%

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 Microsoft SQ1 is positioned at rank 877 and the Core i7-4770HQ is on rank 338, so the Core i7-4770HQ offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Microsoft SQ1

#865

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

1458%

#866

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

1436%

#867

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

1318%

#868

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

1312%

#869

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

1300%

#871

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

1256%

#872

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

1204%

#873

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

1202%

#874

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

1170%

#877

Microsoft SQ1

MSRP: $300|Avg: $180

100%

#879

Core i5-6440HQ

MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A

100%

#883

Celeron Dual-Core T1600

MSRP: $150|Avg: $150

99%

#884

Athlon II N330

MSRP: $100|Avg: $50

99%

#889

Core i7-7820EQ

MSRP: $378|Avg: $378

98%

#890

Celeron 7305

MSRP: $128|Avg: $107

98%

#891

E-300

MSRP: $60|Avg: $20

97%

#892

Core i7-7820HK

MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-4770HQ

#101

Core i5-1350P

MSRP: $320|Avg: $250

97%

#326

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

487%

#327

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

480%

#328

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

440%

#329

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

438%

#330

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

434%

#332

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

419%

#333

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

402%

#334

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

401%

#335

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

391%

#338

Core i7-4770HQ

MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A

100%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Microsoft SQ1 (2019) utilizes 7 nm technology and modern memory, providing a fundamental performance advantage.

Insight	Microsoft SQ1	Core i7-4770HQ
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	⚠️ Higher cost ($180)	✅ More affordable ($0)
Longevity	✨ Modern (Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) / 7 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Crystalwell (2013−2014) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-4770HQ (2014) relies on 22 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.

Insight	Microsoft SQ1	Core i7-4770HQ
Cost Efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	⚠️ Higher cost ($180)	✅ More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

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.

Microsoft SQ1 Benchmark Check

Core i7-4770HQ Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Microsoft SQ1 and Core i7-4770HQ

Microsoft SQ1

The Microsoft SQ1 is manufactured by Microsoft. It was released in 2 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 7 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): + 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 6,039 points. Launch price was $149.

Core i7-4770HQ

The Core i7-4770HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 July 2014 (11 years ago). It is based on the Crystalwell (2013−2014) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,028 points. Launch price was $434.

⚡

Processing Power

The Microsoft SQ1 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-4770HQ offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Microsoft SQ1 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Microsoft SQ1 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i7-4770HQ — a 12.5% clock advantage for the Core i7-4770HQ. The Microsoft SQ1 uses the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i7-4770HQ uses Crystalwell (2013−2014) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Microsoft SQ1 scores 6,039 against the Core i7-4770HQ's 6,028 — a 0.2% lead for the Microsoft SQ1. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Microsoft SQ1 vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-4770HQ.

Feature	Microsoft SQ1	Core i7-4770HQ
Cores / Threads	8 / 8+100%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3 GHz	3.4 GHz+13%
Base Clock	—	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	2 MB	8 MB (total)+300%
L2 Cache	—	256K (per core)
Process	7 nm-68%	22 nm
Architecture	Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019)	Crystalwell (2013−2014)
PassMark	6,039	6,028
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	3,249

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Microsoft SQ1) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-4770HQ). The Core i7-4770HQ includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 5200), while the Microsoft SQ1 requires a dedicated GPU.