Intel Core i7-2700K vs Intel Core i7-4712HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results split cleanly along benchmark family lines. In Cinebench, the Intel Core i7-2700K wins every round, and by almost exactly the same margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-2700K scores 486 against the i7-4712HQ's 454, a 6.6% lead. The single-core R15 result is 68 versus 64, a 5.9% edge for the older desktop chip. Moving to R20 multi-core, the i7-2700K posts 2029 against 1895, again a 6.6% delta, and the R20 single-core score of 286 versus 267 is 6.6% as well. The pattern continues in R23 multi-core, where 4833 beats 4512, and R23 single-core, where 682 beats 637, both at a 6.6% gap. Six wins for the i7-2700K wins out of eight total head-to-head tests.

The Geekbench suite flips the script entirely in favor of the i7-4712HQ. In Geekbench multi-core, the mobile Haswell chip scores 2734 against the i7-2700K's 2294, a 19.2% advantage. The single-core Geekbench result is even more lopsided: 923 versus 672, a 37.4% lead for the i7-4712HQ. The database records exactly two wins for the i7-4712HQ and six for the i7-2700K. The average benchmark score for the i7-4712HQ is 1436, slightly above the i7-2700K's 1419, and both CPUs sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

The takeaway from the raw numbers: the i7-2700K has an edge in rendering workloads as measured by Cinebench, while the i7-4712HQ is far ahead in the mixed workload pattern that Geekbench captures. The i7-4712HQ's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G at 1439 average score (a 0.2% gap) and the Intel Core i7-2600K at 1433 (a 0.2% gap). The i7-2700K's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3720QM at 1421 (a 0.1% gap) and the Intel Core i7-3840QM at 1416 (a 0.2% gap).

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-2700K wins six of the eight head-to-head tests, with the i7-4712HQ taking the remaining two. Both Geekbench tests go to the i7-4712HQ, while all six Cinebench tests go to the i7-2700K.

Q: How large is the i7-4712HQ's Geekbench single-core advantage?

A: The i7-4712HQ scores 923 versus 672 for the i7-2700K, a 37.4% lead. This is the largest delta between the two CPUs in any recorded benchmark.

Q: Are the two CPUs in the same performance tier overall?

A: Yes, both sit at the 37th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are close: 1436 for the i7-4712HQ against 1419 for the i7-2700K.

Q: Does either CPU support ECC memory?

A: No. Both the Intel Core i7-4712HQ and the Intel Core i7-2700K have ECC memory support listed as false.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each CPU support?

A: The i7-4712HQ supports 25.6 GB/s, while the i7-2700K supports 21.3 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR3.

Q: Which CPU has the higher base clock?

A: The i7-2700K has a base clock of 3.50 GHz, well above the i7-4712HQ's 2.30 GHz. The boost clocks are 3.90 GHz for the i7-2700K and 3.30 GHz for the i7-4712HQ.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different Intel generations and different market segments. The i7-4712HQ is a Haswell part built for mobile systems, while the i7-2700K is a Sandy Bridge desktop chip. The process node differs: the i7-4712HQ uses 22 nm technology, while the i7-2700K uses 32 nm. Despite the smaller process, the i7-4712HQ packs 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, while the i7-2700K has 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die. Both have 4 cores and 8 threads, but the cache layouts are not identical: the i7-4712HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-2700K has 8 MB of shared L3. Per-core L1 and L2 caches are the same at 64 KB and 256 KB respectively.

The i7-4712HQ has a 37 W TDP, a signature of its mobile intent, while the i7-2700K draws 95 W. The memory bus is dual-channel DDR3 for both, but the i7-4712HQ reaches 25.6 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s for the i7-2700K. The PCIe implementation differs as well: the i7-4712HQ uses Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-2700K uses Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics also differ, with the i7-4712HQ carrying Intel HD 4600 and the i7-2700K carrying Intel HD 3000.

The sockets are incompatible: the i7-4712HQ uses Intel BGA 1364, while the i7-2700K uses Intel Socket 1155. The i7-2700K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-4712HQ does not. Both CPUs are end-of-life in production status. The i7-4712HQ was released in 2014, while the i7-2700K was released in 2011.

The Verdict

The data paints a nuanced picture. If the workload is heavily oriented toward Cinebench-style rendering, the i7-2700K is the stronger part, with a consistent 6.6% lead across multi-core and single-core R15, R20, and R23 tests. That consistency is notable: the older Sandy Bridge chip wins every rendering test by nearly the same margin, which points to a stable architectural advantage in that workload regardless of test version.

If the workload resembles Geekbench, the i7-4712HQ is clearly the better choice, leading by 19.2% in multi-core and 37.4% in single-core. The fact that the mobile chip, with its much lower TDP and lower clocks, can outrun a desktop chip by that margin in Geekbench suggests significant architectural gains from Haswell over Sandy Bridge in the types of tasks Geekbench measures.

For a desktop builder looking at an older platform, the i7-2700K offers the higher clock speeds, more L3 cache, and an unlocked multiplier, all while maintaining the Cinebench edge. For anyone constrained by power or platform, the i7-4712HQ delivers a very competitive average score of 1436 against 1419, a nearly negligible gap, and does so with a 37 W TDP against 95 W. The i7-4712HQ also has faster memory bandwidth at 25.6 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s, PCIe Gen 3 instead of Gen 2, and a newer integrated GPU.

The verdict from the database is that neither chip dominates outright. The i7-2700K wins more benchmarks overall, but the i7-4712HQ wins the two where the margin is largest. The choice comes down to platform and workload priorities rather than a clear overall winner.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every category except core count, thread count, L1/L2 cache, memory type, and ECC support. Both have 4 cores, 8 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, dual-channel DDR3, and no ECC support.

The base clock is 2.30 GHz for the i7-4712HQ versus 3.50 GHz for the i7-2700K. Boost clock is 3.30 GHz against 3.90 GHz. TDP is 37 W versus 95 W. The socket is Intel BGA 1364 for the i7-4712HQ and Intel Socket 1155 for the i7-2700K. Architecture is Haswell versus Sandy Bridge, process node is 22 nm versus 32 nm, transistors are 1,400 million versus 1,160 million, and die size is 177 mm² versus 216 mm². L3 cache is 6 MB shared versus 8 MB shared. Memory bandwidth is 25.6 GB/s versus 21.3 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 3, 16 lanes versus Gen 2, 16 lanes. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 4600 versus Intel HD 3000. Market segment is Mobile versus Desktop. Release dates are 2014 versus 2011. The multiplier is locked on the i7-4712HQ and unlocked on the i7-2700K. Part numbers are SR1PZ and SR0DG, respectively.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2700K wins in Cinebench rendering across the board, taking R15 multi-core and single-core, R20 multi-core and single-core, and R23 multi-core and single-core, all with a 6.6% margin except R15 single-core, which is 5.9%. It also offers a higher base clock, higher boost clock, more L3 cache, and an unlocked multiplier, making it the better fit for overclocking-oriented desktop builds and for workloads that scale with raw clock speed and cache size.

The i7-4712HQ wins in Geekbench, with a 19.2% multi-core advantage and a 37.4% single-core advantage. It also wins on power efficiency with a 37 W TDP, on memory bandwidth with 25.6 GB/s, on PCIe generation with Gen 3, on process node with 22 nm, and on integrated graphics with Intel HD 4600. The i7-4712HQ is the better choice for mobile platforms, for power-constrained systems, and for workloads that align with Geekbench's measurement pattern.

The overall average scores are close enough that the database places both at the 37th percentile, but the i7-4712HQ edges ahead in average score at 1436 versus 1419. The i7-2700K's nearest rival, the AMD Opteron 4274 HE, matches its average score exactly, while the i7-4712HQ sits 0.2% behind the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G and 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i7-2600K. In short, the i7-2700K is the Cinebench champion, and the i7-4712HQ is the Geekbench and efficiency champion.