Intel Core i5-7600K vs Intel Core i7-7920HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7920HQ and Intel Core i5-7600K represent two distinct approaches to the same Kaby Lake architecture. One is a mobile processor designed for high-end laptops, the other a desktop chip aimed at enthusiasts. The benchmark data shows a fascinating split: the i7-7920HQ dominates in Cinebench tests across the board, while the i5-7600K takes clear wins in Geekbench. This analysis breaks down where each processor excels, what separates them architecturally, and who should choose which based strictly on the recorded measurements.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison reveals a consistent pattern across the Cinebench suite. The Intel Core i7-7920HQ wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins that are remarkably uniform. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-7920HQ scores 619 against the i5-7600K’s 583, a 6.2% advantage. The single-core result in R15 is similar: 87 versus 82, a 6.1% lead. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the mobile chip posts 2583 multicore and 364 single-core, against 2432 and 343 for the desktop part, again 6.2% and 6.1% deltas respectively. Cinebench R23 continues the trend with 6151 versus 5792 in multicore (6.2% lead) and 868 versus 817 in single-core (6.2% lead).

The Geekbench results tell a different story. The i5-7600K takes the multicore test with 4239 points to the i7-7920HQ’s 3999, a 5.7% margin. The single-core gap is larger: 1522 versus 1267, meaning the i5-7600K is 16.8% ahead. This split is the most interesting finding in the data. The i7-7920HQ wins six of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, but the i5-7600K wins the two Geekbench tests by significant margins, particularly in single-core.

When looking at the average benchmark score, the two processors sit nearly level. The i7-7920HQ has an average of 1992, and the i5-7600K has an average of 1976. Both are in the 44th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for the i7-7920HQ include the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X with a score of 1992 and a 0% delta, and the Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 at 1991 with a 0.1% delta. The i5-7600K’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-N305 at 1979 (0.1% behind) and the Intel Xeon E3-1245 v5 at 1973.

The data indicates that Cinebench workloads favor the i7-7920HQ’s multithreading capability, while Geekbench’s specific test methodology appears to reward the i5-7600K’s higher clock speeds and desktop-optimized design. The 16.8% deficit in Geekbench single-core is the largest margin in either direction, suggesting that the i5-7600K has a distinct advantage in lightly threaded tasks.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 14 nm process node and share the Kaby Lake architecture. The i7-7920HQ uses the Kaby Lake-H codename, while the i5-7600K uses the standard Kaby Lake codename. Both are from the same generation, released on the same date of 2017-01-02. The foundry is Intel for both.

The core and thread counts are the primary architectural split. The i7-7920HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multithreading. The i5-7600K has 4 cores and only 4 threads, with no hyper-threading. This explains the Cinebench multicore result, where the i7-7920HQ consistently scores about 6.2% higher. The extra threads allow better utilization in heavily parallel workloads.

Clock speeds favor the i5-7600K. The desktop chip has a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The mobile chip runs at 3.10 GHz base and 4.10 GHz boost. The i5-7600K’s higher base clock, 0.70 GHz faster, and slightly higher boost clock, 0.10 GHz faster, contribute to its Geekbench single-core victory. The i5-7600K also has an unlocked multiplier, meaning it supports overclocking, while the i7-7920HQ is locked.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is where they part ways: the i7-7920HQ has 8 MB shared, while the i5-7600K has 6 MB shared. This 2 MB difference in L3 cache could help the i7-7920HQ in certain cache-sensitive workloads.

The memory support is another distinction. The i7-7920HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i5-7600K supports DDR4 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i5-7600K has a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-7920HQ’s memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. For the i7-7920HQ, the memory bus is dual-channel, but the lack of a bandwidth figure suggests the mobile platform may have different memory capabilities.

Integrated graphics are similar: the i7-7920HQ uses Intel HD Graphics 630, and the i5-7600K is listed with HD 630. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory.

The physical design differs. The i7-7920HQ uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, which is a mobile socket requiring a soldered connection. The i5-7600K uses the Intel Socket 1151, a desktop socket with the option for aftermarket cooling and overclocking. The die size is recorded for the i7-7920HQ at 126 mm², but no die size is listed for the i5-7600K. The TDP difference is significant: the i7-7920HQ has a 45 W TDP, while the i5-7600K has a 91 W TDP. This means the mobile chip draws less power, which is expected for a laptop processor.

The production status also differs. The i7-7920HQ is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-7600K is listed as active. The i7-7920HQ has a launch MSRP of $568, but the i5-7600K has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The Verdict

The data suggests a split decision based on workload type. For multi-threaded rendering and productivity, the Intel Core i7-7920HQ is the clear choice. It wins every Cinebench test, including R15, R20, and R23, with a consistent 6.2% multicore lead. The extra threads (8 versus 4) provide a measurable advantage. Its 8 MB L3 cache also exceeds the i5-7600K’s 6 MB capacity.

For single-threaded performance and gaming-style workloads, the Intel Core i5-7600K takes the lead. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1522 is 16.8% higher than the i7-7920HQ’s 1267. The Geekbench multicore score of 4239 also beats the i7-7920HQ by 5.7%, which is interesting because the i5-7600K has fewer threads. This suggests that the i5-7600K’s higher clocks, with a 3.80 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost, are more impactful in Geekbench’s specific test suite.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1992 for the i7-7920HQ and 1976 for the i5-7600K. Both processors sit in the 44th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are mid-pack performers in the database. The nearest rivals confirm this: the i7-7920HQ matches the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X at a 0% delta, and the i5-7600K is close to the Intel Core i3-N305 at a 0.1% delta.

The verdict is not one of overall superiority but of workload fit. The i7-7920HQ is the better choice for mobile users who need multithreaded rendering or encoding performance in a 45 W package. The i5-7600K is the better choice for desktop users who prioritize raw single-thread speed and have the ability to overclock, given its unlocked multiplier. The i7-7920HQ is end-of-life, so availability may be limited. The i5-7600K remains active.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads, the i7-7920HQ or the i5-7600K?

A: The Intel Core i7-7920HQ has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-7600K has 4 threads. Both have 4 cores.

Q: What is the largest margin of victory in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i5-7600K scores 1522 against the i7-7920HQ’s 1267, a 16.8% lead.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i7-7920HQ has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-7600K has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The i7-7920HQ supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-7600K supports DDR4 only. Both use a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: What are the TDPs for these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-7920HQ has a TDP of 45 W, and the Intel Core i5-7600K has a TDP of 91 W.

Q: Which CPU has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking?

A: The Intel Core i5-7600K has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i7-7920HQ is locked.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-7920HQ wins in multi-threaded rendering and encoding. Every Cinebench test shows a lead, from R15 multicore at 619 versus 583 to R23 multicore at 6151 versus 5792. The delta is consistently 6.2% in multicore and 6.1% in single-core for R15 and R20. The 8 threads and 8 MB L3 cache make it the better option for workloads that scale with thread count. The 45 W TDP also makes it suitable for laptops where power efficiency matters.

The i5-7600K wins in Geekbench-style single-thread and memory-bound workloads. The Geekbench single-core score of 1522 versus 1267 is a decisive 16.8% advantage. The multicore Geekbench score of 4239 also beats the i7-7920HQ by 5.7%, despite having fewer threads. The higher base clock of 3.80 GHz and boost of 4.20 GHz, combined with the 38.4 GB/s memory bandwidth, give it an edge in tests that favor raw clock speed and memory throughput. Its unlocked multiplier also allows for further overclocking, potentially widening this gap.

The i7-7920HQ is the pick for laptop users who need Cinebench-style rendering performance without a desktop power draw. The i5-7600K is the pick for desktop builders who want the best single-threaded speed and overclocking flexibility. The benchmark data shows no overall winner, only different strengths: the i7-7920HQ leads in six of eight tests, but the i5-7600K wins the two Geekbench tests by margins that range from 5.7% to 16.8%. The final choice depends on the specific workload priorities, not on a single aggregate score.