Intel Core i5-8365U vs Intel Core i7-7700HQ Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a remarkably one-sided comparison. The Intel Core i7-7700HQ wins 15 of the 17 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-8365U secures only 2 wins, both in the same single-thread Passmark test. For users prioritizing sustained multi-core workloads, rendering, or data compression, the i7-7700HQ is the clear choice. The i5-8365U offers a narrow advantage in a single Passmark single-thread test, but this does not offset the broader performance deficit.

The i7-7700HQ leads by substantial margins in Cinebench tests, with deltas ranging from 15.7% to 16.9% across R15, R20, and R23. It also dominates in Passmark data compression by 27.4%, extended instructions by 22.5%, and random string sorting by 22%. The i5-8365U's only win is a 1.4% edge in Passmark single-thread and singlethread scores, which are identical recorded values of 2073 versus 2045.

Both processors hold a percentile ranking of 65 against all CPUs in the database. The i7-7700HQ has an average benchmark score of 9493, while the i5-8365U averages 8708. The nearest rivals for the i7-7700HQ include the AMD EPYC 7402P at 9529 with a delta of -0.4%, and the Intel Xeon Platinum 8180 at 9406 with a delta of 0.9%. For the i5-8365U, the nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-13900E at 8676 with a delta of 0.4%, and the Intel Core i7-8565U at 8665 with a delta of 0.5%.

Given these results, the i7-7700HQ is the appropriate pick for users whose workloads involve Cinebench-style rendering, encryption, compression, or physics calculations. The i5-8365U is only preferable in scenarios where the specific Passmark single-thread score is the deciding factor, and even then the margin is minimal.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and target different power envelopes. The i7-7700HQ is built on Kaby Lake architecture with the codename Kaby Lake-H, while the i5-8365U uses Whiskey Lake architecture with the codename Whiskey Lake-U. Both are manufactured on a 14 nm process node by Intel.

The i7-7700HQ has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, with a TDP of 45 watts. The i5-8365U has a base clock of 1600.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, with a TDP of 15 watts. The higher boost clock of the i5-8365U does not translate into benchmark superiority, as the data shows the i7-7700HQ winning the majority of tests.

Both processors feature 4 cores and 8 threads. Cache configurations are identical: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Memory support differs slightly. The i7-7700HQ supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-8365U supports DDR4 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The i5-8365U has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while no such figure is recorded for the i7-7700HQ.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-7700HQ uses Intel HD Graphics 630, while the i5-8365U uses UHD Graphics 620. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The i7-7700HQ uses socket Intel BGA 1440, while the i5-8365U uses Intel BGA 1528. The i7-7700HQ has a die size of 126 mm², while no die size is recorded for the i5-8365U. The i7-7700HQ was released in January 2017, while the i5-8365U was released in April 2019. Both are end-of-life products.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The i7-7700HQ wins every recorded multi-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5852 against 5050 for the i5-8365U, a delta of 15.9%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 589 versus 509, a delta of 15.7%.

Q: Does the i5-8365U win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes. The i5-8365U wins the Passmark single-thread test with a score of 2073, and the identical Passmark singlethread test with the same score. The i7-7700HQ records 2045 in both, resulting in a delta of -1.4% in favor of the i5-8365U.

Q: How do the two processors compare in data compression?

A: The i7-7700HQ is significantly faster. It scores 97136 in Passmark data compression, while the i5-8365U scores 76239. This represents a 27.4% advantage for the i7-7700HQ, the largest delta in the entire head-to-head set.

Q: What is the difference in TDP between the two?

A: The i7-7700HQ has a TDP of 45 watts, while the i5-8365U has a TDP of 15 watts. Despite the lower power envelope, the i5-8365U still loses the majority of performance tests.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i5-8365U has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, which is higher than the i7-7700HQ's boost clock of 3.80 GHz. This does not translate into benchmark wins for the i5-8365U outside of the single Passmark single-thread test.

Q: Are the cache sizes the same?

A: Yes. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Specification Differences

The recorded specifications show several differences between the two processors. The base clock differs: the i7-7700HQ runs at 2.80 GHz, while the i5-8365U runs at 1600.00 MHz. The boost clock also differs, with the i5-8365U reaching 4.10 GHz versus 3.80 GHz for the i7-7700HQ. TDP is a major differentiator: 45 watts for the i7-7700HQ versus 15 watts for the i5-8365U.

The socket is different: Intel BGA 1440 for the i7-7700HQ, Intel BGA 1528 for the i5-8365U. Architecture and codename differ: Kaby Lake with Kaby Lake-H for the i7-7700HQ, Whiskey Lake with Whiskey Lake-U for the i5-8365U. The generation field also differs, with the i7-7700HQ listed as Core i7 (Kaby Lake-H) and the i5-8365U as Core i5 (Whiskey Lake).

Memory support differs: the i7-7700HQ supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the i5-8365U supports DDR4 only. The i5-8365U has a recorded memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while no bandwidth figure is recorded for the i7-7700HQ. The integrated graphics differ: Intel HD Graphics 630 versus UHD Graphics 620.

The die size is recorded for the i7-7700HQ at 126 mm², while no die size is recorded for the i5-8365U. Release dates differ: January 2017 for the i7-7700HQ, April 2019 for the i5-8365U. The launch MSRP for the i7-7700HQ is $378, and for the i5-8365U it is $297. The part numbers differ: SR32Q for the i7-7700HQ, SRF9Z for the i5-8365U. Both processors have identical core counts of 4, thread counts of 8, L1 cache of 64 KB per core, L2 cache of 256 KB per core, L3 cache of 6 MB shared, dual-channel memory buses, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, no ECC support, and locked multipliers.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent pattern of i7-7700HQ dominance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-7700HQ scores 589 against 509, a 15.7% advantage. In single-core R15, it scores 83 against 71, a 16.9% advantage. The Cinebench R20 results follow the same trend: multi-core 2457 versus 2121 (15.8%), single-core 346 versus 299 (15.7%). Cinebench R23 shows 5852 versus 5050 (15.9%) in multi-core and 826 versus 713 (15.8%) in single-core.

Passmark results show the largest deltas. Data compression is the biggest win for the i7-7700HQ, with a score of 97136 versus 76239, a 27.4% difference. Extended instructions show a 22.5% advantage, with scores of 6218 versus 5074. Random string sorting shows a 22% advantage, with scores of 12512 versus 10256. Data encryption shows a 17.9% advantage, with scores of 2366 versus 2006.

The i7-7700HQ also wins Passmark multithread with 6881 versus 5976, a 15.1% difference. Physics shows 489 versus 422, a 15.9% difference. Find prime numbers shows 22 versus 19, a 15.8% difference. Floating point math shows 13678 versus 13110, a 4.3% difference. Integer math shows the closest multi-core result: 22143 versus 22021, a 0.6% difference in favor of the i7-7700HQ.

The only two wins for the i5-8365U are the Passmark single-thread and singlethread tests, both with identical scores of 2073 versus 2045, a 1.4% advantage. These are the same test recorded twice in the database, so effectively the i5-8365U wins a single unique benchmark.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-7700HQ wins in every category that stresses sustained multi-threaded throughput. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests all favor it by roughly 15.7% to 15.9%. This suggests that rendering and 3D modeling workloads will see a meaningful performance advantage with the i7-7700HQ. The Passmark data compression test, with a 27.4% delta, indicates a strong edge in file archiving and compression-heavy tasks. Extended instructions, with a 22.5% delta, points to advantages in workloads that leverage SIMD-style instruction sets. Random string sorting, with a 22% delta, suggests benefits in sorting algorithms and data processing pipelines.

The i5-8365U wins only the Passmark single-thread test, with a 1.4% margin. This indicates a slight edge in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks that rely on a single core. However, the margin is small, and the i7-7700HQ still wins Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core tests by 15.7% to 16.9%. The single Passmark result stands in isolation against three Cinebench single-core losses.

Users choosing between these two should note that the i7-7700HQ carries a 45 watt TDP, while the i5-8365U operates at 15 watts. The performance data does not show the lower-power part compensating for its reduced envelope with superior results. The i7-7700HQ is the stronger processor across nearly every recorded benchmark, and the i5-8365U's single win is too narrow to recommend it for general-purpose performance.

For workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, data compression, encryption, and physics calculations, the i7-7700HQ is the data-backed choice. The i5-8365U is only worth considering if the specific Passmark single-thread score is the primary metric, and even then the 1.4% delta is unlikely to be perceptible in real-world use.