Intel Core i5-7600T vs Intel Core i7-4770HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7600T and Intel Core i7-4770HQ are two 4-core processors from different eras and market segments, yet they land within 0.3% of each other in average benchmark score. The data shows a clear split: the i7-4770HQ wins six of eight head-to-head tests, all by narrow margins of roughly 2.6-2.8%, while the i5-7600T takes the remaining two with a dominant 23% lead in single-core Geekbench and a slim 1.2% edge in multi-core Geekbench. Because both CPUs share the 40th percentile ranking, the choice comes down to workload type and platform constraints rather than raw capability.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to the Intel Core i7-4770HQ as the better choice for sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads. It wins every Cinebench test — R15, R20, and R23 — in both single-core and multi-core variants, with deltas ranging from -2.6% to -2.8% relative to the i5-7600T. For example, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-4770HQ scores 5106 against the i5-7600T’s 4968, a 2.7% advantage. Its 8 threads versus the i5-7600T’s 4 threads provide the structural advantage that explains these consistent wins across all rendering benchmarks.

The Intel Core i5-7600T is the pick for single-threaded responsiveness as measured by Geekbench. Its single-core score of 1246 is 23% higher than the i7-4770HQ’s 1013, which is a substantial gap. That said, the i5-7600T’s multi-core Geekbench win is marginal at 3447 versus 3407 (1.2% delta). The i7-4770HQ’s 47W TDP is higher than the i5-7600T’s 35W, but both are low-power parts. The i5-7600T is a desktop part on Socket 1151 with active production status, while the i7-4770HQ is an end-of-life mobile part on BGA 1364. For a new build, the i5-7600T offers an active platform; for a mobile system or upgrade path, the i7-4770HQ remains viable but locked to its socket.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from distinct architectural generations. The Intel Core i5-7600T is built on Kaby Lake using a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-4770HQ is Haswell-based (codename Crystalwell) on a 22 nm node. The i7-4770HQ’s older node is offset by a larger die — 264 mm² with 1,400 million transistors — whereas the i5-7600T’s die size and transistor count are not listed. The i7-4770HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, doubling the thread count of the i5-7600T’s 4 cores and 4 threads.

Cache configurations are identical: both have 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The memory support differs significantly: the i5-7600T uses DDR4 with dual-channel bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i7-4770HQ uses DDR3 with dual-channel bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i7-4770HQ includes a 1,400 million transistor count and a 264 mm² die, while the i5-7600T does not report those metrics. The integrated graphics also differ: the i5-7600T has HD 630, while the i7-4770HQ has Intel HD 5200. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and neither supports ECC memory.

Where Each One Wins

The workload split is straightforward. The i7-4770HQ wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests — R15 (514 vs 500), R20 (2144 vs 2086), and R23 (5106 vs 4968). It also wins all three Cinebench single-core tests, though by smaller margins: R15 (72 vs 70), R20 (302 vs 294), and R23 (720 vs 701). These results indicate that the i7-4770HQ is consistently superior in rendering workloads, likely due to its 8 threads providing better parallel utilization.

The i5-7600T wins Geekbench multi-core (3447 vs 3407) and Geekbench single-core (1246 vs 1013). The single-core Geekbench win is the largest margin in the entire comparison at 23%. The multi-core Geekbench win is narrow at 1.2%, suggesting that the i5-7600T’s higher base clock (2.80 GHz vs 2.20 GHz) and boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.40 GHz) help in shorter, bursty workloads, while the i7-4770HQ’s extra threads pay off in sustained rendering tasks. The i5-7600T also has a lower TDP (35W vs 47W), which may favor thermally constrained desktop builds.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-4770HQ scores 5106, which is 2.7% higher than the Intel Core i5-7600T’s 4968.

Q: How big is the single-core Geekbench difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-7600T scores 1246, which is 23% higher than the Intel Core i7-4770HQ’s 1013.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores. However, the Intel Core i7-4770HQ has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-7600T has 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-7600T boosts to 3.70 GHz, compared to the Intel Core i7-4770HQ’s 3.40 GHz.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The Intel Core i5-7600T supports DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the Intel Core i7-4770HQ supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-7600T is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i7-4770HQ is End-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-4770HQ dominates the rendering benchmarks. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 514 against the i5-7600T’s 500, a -2.7% delta. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core: 2144 vs 2086, again -2.7%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-4770HQ scores 5106 versus 4968, with a -2.7% delta. The single-core Cinebench results are similarly consistent: R15 shows 72 vs 70 (-2.8%), R20 shows 302 vs 294 (-2.6%), and R23 shows 720 vs 701 (-2.6%). These six wins are all within a tight band, indicating that the i7-4770HQ’s thread advantage translates to steady, predictable gains in Cinebench workloads.

The i5-7600T’s wins come in Geekbench. Its multi-core score of 3447 beats the i7-4770HQ’s 3407 by 1.2%. More impressively, its single-core score of 1246 is 23% higher than the i7-4770HQ’s 1013. This single-core Geekbench gap is the standout result — it suggests that for applications that rely heavily on single-thread performance, the i5-7600T offers a significantly snappier experience. The multi-core Geekbench win is narrow, but it flips the trend seen in Cinebench, showing that benchmark methodology matters. In total, the i7-4770HQ wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, but the i5-7600T wins the largest individual margin.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. The Intel Core i5-7600T has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-4770HQ has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The i5-7600T has a TDP of 35W, compared to the i7-4770HQ’s 47W. The i5-7600T uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i7-4770HQ uses Intel BGA 1364. The market segments differ: the i5-7600T is a Desktop part, while the i7-4770HQ is Mobile.

The process nodes differ — 14 nm for the i5-7600T versus 22 nm for the i7-4770HQ. The i7-4770HQ has a listed transistor count of 1,400 million and a die size of 264 mm², while the i5-7600T lists neither. Memory support differs: the i5-7600T uses DDR4, while the i7-4770HQ uses DDR3. Memory bandwidth is 38.4 GB/s for the i5-7600T versus 25.6 GB/s for the i7-4770HQ. The integrated graphics are HD 630 for the i5-7600T and Intel HD 5200 for the i7-4770HQ. The i5-7600T has a release date of 2017-01-02 and is Active, while the i7-4770HQ has a release date of 2014-06-30 and is End-of-life. Both have 4 cores, 6 MB shared L3, dual-channel memory, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, no ECC support, and are multiplier-unlocked. Neither has a listed launch MSRP.