Intel Core i7-3770S vs Intel Core i7-4710HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3770S and Intel Core i7-4710HQ are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they target completely different platforms and deliver contrasting results depending on the benchmark suite. The data shows the i7-3770S wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, dominating Cinebench across all versions, while the i7-4710HQ takes a decisive victory in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance. The i7-3770S is the stronger choice for sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads, while the i7-4710HQ is better suited for tasks that reflect Geekbench’s scoring methodology. Neither is a clear overall winner; the correct pick depends entirely on the software you run and the platform you need.

The Verdict

Choose the Intel Core i7-3770S if your priority is Cinebench-class rendering performance. It leads by a consistent margin of 11.9% to 12.1% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core tests. This is a desktop chip with a 65W TDP and an LGA 1155 socket, so it fits into traditional desktop motherboards. It also has a higher base and boost clock (3.10 GHz and 3.90 GHz) and a larger 8 MB L3 cache, which contribute to its Cinebench advantage. If you are building or upgrading a desktop system and your workload is heavy on multi-threaded rendering, this is the data-backed pick.

Choose the Intel Core i7-4710HQ if your workload aligns with Geekbench metrics. It wins the Geekbench multi-core test by 17.6% and the single-core test by a massive 30.8%. This is a mobile processor with a 47W TDP and an Intel BGA 1364 socket, meaning it is designed for laptops. It features a smaller 6 MB L3 cache and lower clocks (2.50 GHz base, 3.50 GHz boost), yet it still manages to outperform the i7-3770S in Geekbench. If you need a laptop chip and your applications behave like the Geekbench suite, the i7-4710HQ is the better option. Both chips sit at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a high-end part by modern standards.

Architecture Differences

The i7-3770S is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, while the i7-4710HQ uses Haswell with the codename Crystalwell. Both are fabricated on Intel’s 22 nm process and integrate 1,400 million transistors. The die sizes differ significantly: the i7-3770S has a 160 mm² die, while the i7-4710HQ has a larger 264 mm² die, reflecting the different integration requirements of desktop versus mobile designs.

The i7-3770S features an 8 MB shared L3 cache, while the i7-4710HQ has a smaller 6 MB shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The i7-3770S has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, whereas the i7-4710HQ operates at 2.50 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The i7-4710HQ compensates with a more efficient Haswell core design and a lower 47W TDP compared to the i7-3770S’s 65W TDP.

Integrated graphics also differ: the i7-3770S ships with Intel HD 4000, while the i7-4710HQ includes Intel HD 4600. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the i7-4710HQ has a specified memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i7-3770S does not have a listed bandwidth figure. The i7-4710HQ is marked as end-of-life production, while the i7-3770S has no production status listed.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S scores 5251 versus 4692 for the i7-4710HQ, a 11.9% advantage. This is the largest multi-core Cinebench win for the i7-3770S.

Q: How much better is the i7-4710HQ in Geekbench single-core?

A: The i7-4710HQ scores 947 versus 655 for the i7-3770S, a 30.8% margin. This is the single biggest performance gap in any benchmark between the two.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread count?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. However, they differ in cache size, clock speeds, and architecture.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770S has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i7-4710HQ has 6 MB. The larger cache on the i7-3770S aligns with its Cinebench wins.

Q: Are these CPUs compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i7-3770S uses Intel Socket 1155 and is a desktop part, while the i7-4710HQ uses Intel BGA 1364 and is a mobile part. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The i7-4710HQ has a 47W TDP, which is lower than the i7-3770S’s 65W TDP. This makes the i7-4710HQ more suitable for laptop thermal constraints.

Specification Differences

• Base clock: 3.10 GHz (i7-3770S) vs 2.50 GHz (i7-4710HQ)
• Boost clock: 3.90 GHz (i7-3770S) vs 3.50 GHz (i7-4710HQ)
• TDP: 65W (i7-3770S) vs 47W (i7-4710HQ)
• Socket: Intel Socket 1155 (i7-3770S) vs Intel BGA 1364 (i7-4710HQ)
• Architecture: Ivy Bridge (i7-3770S) vs Haswell / Crystalwell (i7-4710HQ)
• Die size: 160 mm² (i7-3770S) vs 264 mm² (i7-4710HQ)
• L3 cache: 8 MB (i7-3770S) vs 6 MB (i7-4710HQ)
• Integrated graphics: Intel HD 4000 (i7-3770S) vs Intel HD 4600 (i7-4710HQ)
• Memory bandwidth: Not specified (i7-3770S) vs 25.6 GB/s (i7-4710HQ)
• Market segment: Desktop (i7-3770S) vs Mobile (i7-4710HQ)
• Production status: Not specified (i7-3770S) vs End-of-life (i7-4710HQ)
• Release date: 2012-04-28 (i7-3770S) vs 2014-03-31 (i7-4710HQ)

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-3770S wins all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 529 against 472, a 12.1% lead. Single-core R15 shows the same 12.1% delta with scores of 74 versus 66. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-3770S scores 2205 multi-core and 311 single-core, versus 1970 and 278 for the i7-4710HQ, both 11.9% wins. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: 5251 versus 4692 multi-core, and 741 versus 662 single-core, again 11.9% deltas. This consistency suggests the i7-3770S’s higher clocks and larger cache provide a uniform advantage in Cinebench’s rendering workload.

The i7-4710HQ flips the script in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 2694 versus 2220 for the i7-3770S, a 17.6% win. The single-core result is even more lopsided: 947 versus 655, a 30.8% victory. This is a remarkable reversal given the i7-4710HQ’s lower clock speeds and smaller cache. The Haswell architecture clearly handles Geekbench’s workload more efficiently than Ivy Bridge does.

The aggregate benchmark picture is nuanced. The i7-3770S has an average benchmark score of 1498, while the i7-4710HQ sits at 1473. The i7-3770S’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i3-8100T at 1500 (a 0.1% gap), while the i7-4710HQ’s closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-5575R at 1478 (a 0.3% gap). Both CPUs land at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are statistically equivalent in overall average performance despite their divergent benchmark profiles.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3770S wins in rendering and multi-threaded productivity. Its six Cinebench victories, all by roughly 12%, make it the clear choice for applications that scale like Cinebench — think 3D rendering, video encoding, and CPU-based image processing. The higher 3.90 GHz boost clock and 8 MB L3 cache are the likely drivers of this advantage. It also wins in power consumption per performance in this specific workload, given its desktop design and 65W TDP. If your software uses Cinebench’s rendering engine or similar algorithms, the i7-3770S is the data-backed winner.

The i7-4710HQ wins in Geekbench-style workloads. Its 30.8% single-core and 17.6% multi-core Geekbench victories suggest it excels in tasks that emphasize memory latency, branch prediction, and integer/floating-point operations as measured by Geekbench. This includes many everyday applications like web browsing, office productivity, and light content creation. The 47W TDP also makes it the only viable choice for laptop builds, as the i7-3770S is a desktop-only part. For users who prioritize Geekbench scores or need a mobile platform, the i7-4710HQ is the superior option.

In short, the i7-3770S is a rendering-focused desktop chip with a 12% edge in Cinebench, while the i7-4710HQ is a mobile chip with up to 30.8% better Geekbench performance. The choice hinges on your workload and form factor.