Intel Core i5-8350U vs Intel Core i7-7700HQ Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700HQ has a base clock of 2.80 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-8350U has a base clock of 1700.00 MHz. The i7-7700HQ's base clock is significantly higher.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i7-7700HQ scores 5852, which is 13.1% ahead of the Intel Core i5-8350U's 5173. The i7-7700HQ also leads in Cinebench R20 multi-core (2457 vs 2172) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (589 vs 521).

Q: Which processor has the larger die size?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700HQ has a die size of 126 mm², while the Intel Core i5-8350U is slightly smaller at 123 mm². Both are built on the same 14 nm process node.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700HQ has a TDP of 45 watts, while the Intel Core i5-8350U has a TDP of 15 watts. The i5-8350U is designed for much lower power operation.

Q: Is there a benchmark where the i5-8350U wins?

A: Yes, in PassMark integer math, the Intel Core i5-8350U scores 22244, which is 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i7-7700HQ's 22143. This is the only benchmark win out of 17 recorded comparisons.

Q: How do the integrated graphics differ between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700HQ features Intel HD Graphics 630, while the Intel Core i5-8350U uses Intel UHD 620. Both are integrated graphics solutions for mobile platforms.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-7700HQ and Intel Core i5-8350U both belong to the Kaby Lake architecture family, manufactured on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they come from different segments of that generation. The i7-7700HQ is part of the Kaby Lake-H lineup, a high-performance mobile series, while the i5-8350U is from the Kaby Lake-U Refresh family, focused on ultra-low-power operation.

The core configuration is identical in count: both processors feature 4 physical cores with 8 threads, supporting simultaneous multithreading. Cache structures also match, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The process node is the same 14 nm, and both are fabricated by Intel.

The key architectural difference lies in power and packaging. The i7-7700HQ carries a TDP of 45 watts, uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, and has a die size of 126 mm². The i5-8350U is rated at 15 watts TDP, uses the Intel BGA 1356 socket, and has a slightly smaller die at 123 mm². The base clock reflects this power split: the i7-7700HQ runs at 2.80 GHz, while the i5-8350U starts at 1700.00 MHz. Boost clocks are closer, with the i7-7700HQ reaching 3.80 GHz and the i5-8350U boosting to 3.60 GHz.

Memory support also differs. The i7-7700HQ supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory with a dual-channel memory bus, while the i5-8350U supports DDR4 only, and the database does not record a memory bus configuration for it. The i7-7700HQ additionally provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i5-8350U has no PCIe information recorded.

The integrated graphics are different as well: the i7-7700HQ pairs with Intel HD Graphics 630, while the i5-8350U carries Intel UHD 620. Production status separates the two further, as the i7-7700HQ is marked end-of-life, while the i5-8350U remains active. The i7-7700HQ launched with a $378 MSRP in January 2017, while the i5-8350U has no recorded launch MSRP and arrived later in August 2017.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a dominant performance profile for the Intel Core i7-7700HQ across nearly every benchmark category. Out of 17 head-to-head comparisons, the i7-7700HQ wins 16, with only a single narrow loss.

Starting with Cinebench workloads, the i7-7700HQ leads consistently. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 589 against 521 for the i5-8350U, a 13.1% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows a similar gap: 83 versus 73, which is 13.7% ahead. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 2457 and 2172, again a 13.1% difference, and the single-core result is 346 versus 306, also 13.1%. In Cinebench R23, the multi-core gap holds at 13.1% (5852 vs 5173), and single-core shows 826 versus 730, a 13.2% lead. These results indicate that the i7-7700HQ's advantage is consistent across rendering generations and scales equally in single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

PassMark results show a broader spread. The largest delta is in data compression, where the i7-7700HQ scores 97136 versus 79781, a 21.8% lead. Extended instructions follow with 6218 versus 5243, an 18.6% gap. Random string sorting shows 12512 versus 10651, a 17.5% advantage. Prime number finding is 22 against 19, 15.8% ahead. Data encryption is 2366 versus 2075, 14% higher. Physics scores are 489 against 428, a 14.3% lead. The multithread PassMark score is 6881 versus 6129, a 12.3% difference.

The margins narrow substantially in floating-point math and single-thread tests. Floating-point math shows 13678 versus 13422, only a 1.9% lead for the i7-7700HQ. Single-thread PassMark scores are 2045 versus 1996, a 2.5% edge. The only loss comes in integer math, where the i5-8350U scores 22244 against 22143, a 0.5% difference in its favor.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this trend: the i7-7700HQ averages 9493 across all recorded benchmarks, while the i5-8350U averages 8998. Both processors sit at the 65th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar overall standing despite the i7-7700HQ's higher raw scores.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several specification fields. The i7-7700HQ has a base clock of 2.80 GHz, while the i5-8350U operates at 1700.00 MHz. Boost clocks differ by 0.20 GHz, with the i7-7700HQ at 3.80 GHz and the i5-8350U at 3.60 GHz. TDP is a major separator: 45 watts for the i7-7700HQ versus 15 watts for the i5-8350U.

Socket compatibility is distinct, with the i7-7700HQ using Intel BGA 1440 and the i5-8350U using Intel BGA 1356. The process node is identical at 14 nm, but die sizes differ slightly: 126 mm² for the i7-7700HQ and 123 mm² for the i5-8350U. Memory support shows the i7-7700HQ accepting both DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-8350U is limited to DDR4. The memory bus is recorded as dual-channel for the i7-7700HQ, with no memory bus data for the i5-8350U.

PCIe capabilities exist only for the i7-7700HQ, which provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only); the i5-8350U has no PCIe information in the database. Integrated graphics differ, with HD Graphics 630 on the i7-7700HQ and UHD 620 on the i5-8350U. Production status separates them as end-of-life versus active, and release dates are January 2017 for the i7-7700HQ and August 2017 for the i5-8350U. The i7-7700HQ has a recorded launch MSRP of $378; the i5-8350U has no launch MSRP on file. Part numbers also differ: SR32Q for the i7-7700HQ and SR3L9 for the i5-8350U.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear performance hierarchy. The Intel Core i7-7700HQ is the stronger processor in nearly every measured workload, with advantages ranging from 13.1% in Cinebench multi-core tests to 21.8% in data compression. Its higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz, combined with a 45 watt TDP envelope, deliver consistent wins across rendering, encryption, physics, and sorting tasks.

The Intel Core i5-8350U is not without merit. Its single win in integer math (0.5% ahead) shows that in specific arithmetic workloads, the lower-power chip can keep pace. More importantly, its 15 watt TDP represents a fundamentally different design target: the i5-8350U is built for efficiency and extended battery life, not peak compute throughput. The nearly identical single-thread PassMark scores (2045 vs 1996) suggest that for light, bursty tasks, the user experience may be similar.

For users prioritizing raw performance in mobile workstations or gaming laptops, the i7-7700HQ is the data-backed choice. For systems where power draw and thermals are the primary constraints, the i5-8350U offers a substantial power reduction at a modest performance cost. The percentile ranking of 65 for both CPUs indicates they occupy the same tier in the overall CPU landscape, but within that tier, the i7-7700HQ holds the performance edge.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-7700HQ wins in all multi-core rendering scenarios, including Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, with a consistent 13.1% margin. It also leads in data compression (21.8%), extended instruction workloads (18.6%), random string sorting (17.5%), prime number finding (15.8%), physics calculations (14.3%), data encryption (14%), and multithreaded PassMark scores (12.3%). For users running video encoding, 3D rendering, scientific simulations, or database compression tasks, the i7-7700HQ is the superior option based on recorded scores.

The Intel Core i5-8350U wins exclusively in PassMark integer math, scoring 22244 versus 22143, a 0.5% margin. This result indicates that for pure integer arithmetic workloads, the i5-8350U can match or slightly exceed the i7-7700HQ despite its much lower power envelope. Additionally, the i5-8350U's 15 watt TDP makes it the appropriate choice for fanless or ultra-thin laptop designs where sustained high power draw is not feasible. The i5-8350U also holds a production status of active, meaning it remains available for new designs, while the i7-7700HQ is end-of-life.