Intel Core i5-4670K vs Intel Core i7-4770HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4770HQ and Intel Core i5-4670K are both 22nm Haswell parts, but they target different markets and deliver contrasting performance profiles. The i7-4770HQ wins six of eight head-to-head benchmarks, including a consistent 7.5% lead across all Cinebench tests, while the i5-4670K counters with decisive wins in Geekbench, particularly a 22.2% single-core advantage. The data shows the i7-4770HQ is the stronger multi-threaded workhorse, while the i5-4670K offers superior raw single-thread speed and a more conventional desktop feature set.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-4770HQ has an average benchmark score of 1660, while the Intel Core i5-4670K scores 1656. The difference is minimal, with the i7-4770HQ holding a 0.2% edge over the i5-4670K in their respective nearest rival lists.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-4770HQ scores 5106 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, defeating the Intel Core i5-4670K's 4751 by a 7.5% margin. This is the largest absolute point difference in any multi-core test, with the i7-4770HQ leading by 355 points.

Q: Does the i5-4670K win any benchmark tests?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-4670K wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 3700 in multi-core versus 3407 for the i7-4770HQ, a 7.9% lead, and 1302 in single-core versus 1013, a substantial 22.2% advantage.

Q: What is the difference in thread count between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-4770HQ has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4670K has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores, but the i7-4770HQ supports Hyper-Threading, giving it double the logical threads.

Q: Are both CPUs based on the same microarchitecture?

A: Yes, both are based on the Haswell architecture. The Intel Core i7-4770HQ uses the Crystalwell codename, while the Intel Core i5-4670K uses the Haswell codename, but both are built on the 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors.

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-4670K has a base clock of 3.40 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i7-4770HQ's 2.20 GHz base clock. The i5-4670K also has a higher boost clock at 3.80 GHz versus 3.40 GHz.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-4770HQ and Intel Core i5-4670K share the same Haswell microarchitecture and 22 nm process node, but their physical and feature layouts diverge significantly. Both CPUs have 4 cores and identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The transistor count is also the same at 1,400 million, but the die size differs substantially—the i7-4770HQ measures 264 mm² versus 177 mm² for the i5-4670K, reflecting the larger integrated graphics and additional logic in the mobile part.

The most important architectural difference is threading. The i7-4770HQ supports 8 threads via Hyper-Threading, while the i5-4670K is limited to 4 threads. This explains the i7-4770HQ's consistent multi-core wins in Cinebench despite lower clock speeds. The integrated graphics also differ: the i7-4770HQ features Intel HD 5200 (Crystalwell's Iris Pro class GPU), while the i5-4670K has Intel HD 4600. The i7-4770HQ is a mobile part on Intel BGA 1364 socket, whereas the i5-4670K is a desktop chip on Intel Socket 1150. The i5-4670K has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the i7-4770HQ does not. PCIe support is Gen 3 for both, but the i7-4770HQ specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4670K simply lists "Gen 3."

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data reveals a clear split: the Intel Core i7-4770HQ dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the Intel Core i5-4670K excels in Geekbench. The i7-4770HQ wins all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, both multi-core and single-core) with a uniform 7.5% margin. This makes it the better choice for rendering, 3D modeling, and other CPU-intensive creative tasks where Cinebench scores correlate with real-world performance. The extra threads from Hyper-Threading provide a measurable benefit in these multi-threaded scenarios.

Conversely, the i5-4670K wins both Geekbench tests, with a 7.9% multi-core lead and a massive 22.2% single-core lead. Geekbench tests often favor higher clock speeds and lower latency, areas where the i5-4670K's 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost clocks give it an edge over the i7-4770HQ's 2.20 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. For everyday responsiveness, legacy single-threaded applications, and tasks that rely on raw clock speed rather than thread count, the i5-4670K is the stronger performer.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specifications. The Intel Core i7-4770HQ has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-4670K operates at 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. Thread count differs: 8 threads for the i7-4770HQ versus 4 for the i5-4670K. Thermal design power (TDP) is a major differentiator: the i7-4770HQ is rated at 47 watts, while the i5-4670K is rated at 84 watts. The i7-4770HQ uses Intel BGA 1364 socket and is a mobile part, whereas the i5-4670K uses Intel Socket 1150 and is a desktop chip. The die size differs (264 mm² vs 177 mm²), and the integrated graphics are different (Intel HD 5200 vs Intel HD 4600). The i5-4670K has an unlocked multiplier, a feature absent on the i7-4770HQ. The i7-4770HQ specifies memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4670K's memory bandwidth is not listed. Both support DDR3 dual-channel memory and lack ECC support.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a consistent pattern across Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-4770HQ scores 514 against the i5-4670K's 478, a 7.5% win. The single-core R15 test follows the same pattern: 72 versus 67, again 7.5%. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 2144 versus 1995, and single-core shows 302 versus 281, both with the same 7.5% delta. Cinebench R23 multi-core results are 5106 versus 4751, and single-core is 720 versus 670—again, a 7.5% margin. This uniform delta across all six Cinebench tests suggests a consistent architectural advantage for the i7-4770HQ, likely stemming from its Hyper-Threading capability, which benefits both multi-core and single-core Cinebench workloads.

The Geekbench results reverse the trend decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-4670K scores 3700 versus the i7-4770HQ's 3407, a 7.9% lead for the desktop chip. The single-core Geekbench test is even more lopsided: the i5-4670K scores 1302 versus 1013, a 22.2% advantage. These are the largest deltas in either direction. The i5-4670K's higher clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost) clearly drive these wins, as Geekbench is more sensitive to clock frequency and less to thread count. The overall win count is 6 for the i7-4770HQ and 2 for the i5-4670K, but the magnitude of the i5-4670K's Geekbench wins (up to 22.2%) is noteworthy.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the Intel Core i7-4770HQ is the superior processor for multi-threaded, render-heavy workloads, while the Intel Core i5-4670K is the better choice for single-thread performance and overclocking enthusiasts. The i7-4770HQ's 7.5% lead across all Cinebench tests, including a 355-point advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core, makes it the pick for users running 3D rendering, video encoding, or other tasks that leverage 8 threads. Its 47-watt TDP also makes it more power-efficient, though it is a mobile part soldered to the BGA 1364 socket, limiting its use to laptops or all-in-one systems.

The i5-4670K, on the other hand, offers a 22.2% single-core Geekbench advantage and a 7.9% multi-core Geekbench lead. Its unlocked multiplier and desktop socket make it the obvious choice for overclockers and desktop builders who prioritize maximum clock speed and single-thread responsiveness. The i5-4670K's 84-watt TDP is higher, but this is a desktop chip designed for a cooling solution that can handle it. For users who need both multi-threaded rendering and strong single-thread performance, the i7-4770HQ's Cinebench sweep indicates it is the more balanced option, despite its Geekbench deficit. The choice ultimately depends on the primary workload: rendering favors the i7-4770HQ, while legacy single-threaded applications and overclocking favor the i5-4670K.