Intel Core i5-7440HQ vs Intel Core i7-3770S Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7440HQ and Intel Core i7-3770S present a stark generational clash, pitting a modern mobile quad-core against an older desktop quad-core with hyper-threading. The benchmark data reveals a fragmented picture, where the older Ivy Bridge part dominates in rendering workloads while the newer Kaby Lake silicon takes a decisive lead in Geekbench tests. The i7-3770S secures 6 wins in head-to-head benchmarks, while the i5-7440HQ takes 2, yet a closer look at the scores shows this is not a simple victory for either chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking separation occurs in the Geekbench suite, where the i5-7440HQ posts a massive 80.8% lead over the i7-3770S in single-core performance, scoring 1184 versus 655. This is not a marginal difference; the newer architecture’s efficiency allows it to nearly double the older chip's score in this specific test. The multicore Geekbench result follows a similar pattern, with the i5-7440HQ achieving 3043 against the i7-3770S’s 2220, a 37.1% advantage that suggests the newer chip’s design is far more effective in this benchmark's parallel load profile.

The narrative flips entirely in Cinebench tests. Across all three versions (R15, R20, R23), the i7-3770S consistently outperforms the i5-7440HQ by a narrow margin. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the i7-3770S scores 5251 versus 4603, a 12.3% deficit for the i5-7440HQ. The single-core Cinebench R23 result shows a similar gap, with the i7-3770S hitting 741 against 649, a 12.4% difference. This consistency is notable: the i7-3770S wins every Cinebench test, with deltas ranging from 12.2% to 12.5% across both single and multi-threaded workloads.

The average benchmark scores tell a more nuanced story. The i5-7440HQ has an average of 1527, while the i7-3770S trails slightly at 1498. This places the i5-7440HQ in the same performance tier as the Intel Core i5-4670S (avg score 1526, 0% delta) and the Intel Pentium Gold G7400E (avg score 1524, 0.2% delta). The i7-3770S, meanwhile, aligns with the Intel Core i3-8100T (avg score 1500, -0.1% delta) and sits just ahead of the Intel Core i5-4590S (avg score 1493, 0.4% delta). Both CPUs occupy the 38th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are statistically equivalent in overall standing despite their divergent benchmark profiles.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental divergence lies in their underlying designs. The i5-7440HQ is built on the Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process node, with a die size of 126 mm². In contrast, the i7-3770S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process, with a larger die size of 160 mm² and a transistor count of 1,400 million. This generational leap gives the newer chip a significant efficiency advantage, though the data shows it does not automatically translate to higher performance in all scenarios.

Core and thread counts are a critical differentiator. The i5-7440HQ is a 4-core, 4-thread processor, while the i7-3770S offers 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to hyper-threading. This extra thread count is likely a key factor in the i7-3770S’s Cinebench victories, as those tests appear to scale well with additional threads. The i5-7440HQ compensates with a higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz, though the i7-3770S counters with a 3.10 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. Despite the lower clocks, the i5-7440HQ’s newer architecture wins the Geekbench tests, suggesting that architectural efficiency (IPC) matters more than raw frequency in those workloads.

Cache allocations also differ. The i5-7440HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-3770S has a larger 8 MB shared pool. Both have identical L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) configurations. The i5-7440HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the i7-3770S is limited to DDR3. Both use dual-channel memory buses and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the i5-7440HQ featuring Intel HD Graphics 630 and the i7-3770S using the older Intel HD 4000.

The physical and platform differences are substantial. The i5-7440HQ uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket and targets the mobile market, while the i7-3770S uses the desktop Intel Socket 1155. This is reflected in their TDPs: the mobile i5-7440HQ is rated at 45 W, whereas the desktop i7-3770S draws 65 W. The i5-7440HQ was released on 2017-01-02, while the i7-3770S is older, released on 2012-04-28. The i5-7440HQ has a launch MSRP of $250 and is marked as end-of-life, while the i7-3770S has no listed launch MSRP in the data. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3770S is the clear winner for Cinebench-based rendering tasks. Its 8 threads give it a tangible edge in multi-threaded rendering, as evidenced by its consistent 12%+ lead across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests. For users running workloads that resemble Cinebench’s rendering engine, the older chip’s hyper-threading provides a measurable advantage. The i7-3770S also wins single-core Cinebench tests, which is interesting given its higher base and boost clocks. This combination makes it the better choice for content creation applications that rely on Cinebench-like rendering.

The i5-7440HQ wins decisively in Geekbench, which often reflects more general-purpose computing tasks, including everyday productivity and certain simulation workloads. Its 80.8% single-core lead and 37.1% multicore lead are substantial, indicating that the newer Kaby Lake architecture is far more efficient at handling the specific instruction mix used by Geekbench. For users whose primary software leans toward Geekbench-style operations, the i5-7440HQ offers a significant performance advantage despite its lower thread count.

The average scores suggest a near-tie, with the i5-7440HQ at 1527 and the i7-3770S at 1498. This means that for a mixed workload, neither chip has a definitive overall edge. The i5-7440HQ’s rival list includes the Intel Core i5-4670S (0% delta) and Intel Xeon E5-1428L v2 (-0.7% delta), while the i7-3770S’s rivals include the Intel Core i3-8100T (-0.1% delta) and AMD Opteron 6344 (0.4% delta). Both chips sit at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, reinforcing their status as mid-range performers relative to the broader market.

The Verdict

The data supports a workload-based decision rather than a blanket recommendation. The Intel Core i7-3770S is the superior choice for Cinebench rendering workloads, where its 8 threads deliver a consistent 12% performance advantage across all tested versions. Its 8 MB of L3 cache and higher clock speeds also contribute to its wins in single-core Cinebench tests. Users running rendering, 3D modeling, or video encoding tasks that mirror Cinebench’s engine will see better results from the i7-3770S.

The Intel Core i5-7440HQ is the better option for Geekbench-oriented workloads, where its 14 nm Kaby Lake architecture provides an 80.8% single-core and 37.1% multicore advantage. The newer process node and architectural improvements make it far more efficient for general-purpose computing tasks, including those that stress single-threaded performance. Its lower 45 W TDP also makes it suitable for mobile platforms, whereas the i7-3770S is a desktop part with a 65 W TDP.

For users who do not know their workload split, the average benchmark scores indicate a statistical dead heat. The i5-7440HQ’s average of 1527 is only 1.9% higher than the i7-3770S’s 1498. Both CPUs are at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are equivalent in overall market standing. The choice ultimately comes down to whether the user prioritizes rendering (i7-3770S) or general computing (i5-7440HQ). The i7-3770S’s hyper-threading is its trump card for threaded workloads, while the i5-7440HQ’s architectural efficiency is its strength for everything else.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i5-7440HQ wins 2.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two in any single test?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i5-7440HQ leads by 80.8%, scoring 1184 versus 655 for the Intel Core i7-3770S.

Q: Does the i7-3770S outperform the i5-7440HQ in all Cinebench tests?

A: Yes, the i7-3770S wins every Cinebench test (R15, R20, R23) in both single-core and multicore variants, with deltas ranging from 12.2% to 12.5%.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-7440HQ has an average benchmark score of 1527, while the i7-3770S has an average of 1498, a difference of approximately 1.9% in favor of the i5-7440HQ.

Q: Are there any differences in thread count that affect performance?

A: Yes, the i7-3770S has 8 threads, while the i5-7440HQ has 4 threads. This hyper-threading advantage is a likely factor in the i7-3770S’s consistent Cinebench wins.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two chips?

A: The i5-7440HQ is built on a 14 nm process, while the i7-3770S uses a 22 nm process. The i5-7440HQ also has a smaller die size of 126 mm² compared to 160 mm² for the i7-3770S.