Intel Core i7-4710HQ vs Intel Core i7-8665U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i7-8665U across every benchmark in the comparison. The i7-8665U wins all six head-to-head tests, with the i7-4710HQ failing to take a single victory. The margins are consistent, ranging from 11.2% to 12.1%, which suggests a systematic performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7-8665U scores 527 against 472 for the i7-4710HQ, a delta of 11.7%. The single-core result in the same test is even more pronounced: 74 versus 66, a 12.1% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore scores are 2197 and 1970 respectively, a delta of 11.5%, while the single-core test shows 309 versus 278, an 11.2% improvement. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: the i7-8665U posts 5232 in multicore against 4692, and 738 in single-core against 662, both registering an 11.5% delta.

The average benchmark score places the i7-8665U at 1513, while the i7-4710HQ sits at 1473. That difference of 40 points is modest in absolute terms, but the head-to-head deltas tell a clearer story. The i7-8665U’s nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G7400E with an average score of 1524, a delta of -0.7%, and the Intel Core i5-4670S at 1526, a delta of -0.9%. The i7-4710HQ, meanwhile, is compared with the Intel Core i5-5575R at 1478, a delta of -0.3%, and the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 at 1465, a delta of 0.6%. Both CPUs share the 38th percentile against all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy a similar tier overall, but the i7-8665U consistently outscores its older counterpart in every measured workload.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-8665U is built on Whiskey Lake architecture, using a 14 nm process node from Intel. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 1900.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The i7-4710HQ, by contrast, is a Haswell part, codenamed Crystalwell, fabricated on a 22 nm node. It also has 4 cores and 8 threads, but its base clock is 2500.00 MHz and its boost clock is 3.50 GHz.

The cache configurations differ. The i7-8665U carries 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-4710HQ matches the L1 and L2 sizes per core, but its shared L3 cache is only 6 MB. The i7-4710HQ is the only one of the two with reported transistor and die-size numbers: 1,400 million transistors on a 264 mm² die. The i7-8665U has no such figures recorded.

Memory support diverges as well. The i7-8665U supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i7-4710HQ supports only DDR3, also dual-channel, with a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. That is a substantial difference in theoretical memory throughput, favoring the newer part. Neither CPU supports ECC memory, and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Integrated graphics also set them apart. The i7-8665U pairs with UHD Graphics 620, while the i7-4710HQ uses Intel HD 4600. Both are mobile parts, both are end-of-life, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The sockets differ: the i7-8665U uses Intel BGA 1528, while the i7-4710HQ uses Intel BGA 1364. The i7-8665U was released in 2018, while the i7-4710HQ came out in 2014.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-8665U is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with deltas between 11.2% and 12.1%. The i7-4710HQ’s higher base clock of 2500.00 MHz versus 1900.00 MHz does not translate into a performance win, because the i7-8665U’s boost clock of 4.80 GHz is far higher, and its newer architecture and larger L3 cache contribute to better efficiency.

The i7-8665U also benefits from a lower TDP of 15 watts against the i7-4710HQ’s 47 watts, which is a significant power draw advantage for mobile use. The memory bandwidth difference is substantial too: 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s, a 50% advantage for the newer part. The larger 8 MB L3 cache versus 6 MB further reinforces the performance edge.

For users choosing between these two in a mobile context, the i7-8665U is the clear pick based on benchmark results. It delivers higher scores in both single-core and multi-core workloads, uses far less power, and supports newer memory types. The i7-4710HQ is not without merit, as its higher base clock may help in sustained loads that do not boost, but the recorded benchmarks do not show any scenario where it comes out ahead.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-8665U wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In R15, it scores 527 against 472, a delta of 11.7%. In R20, it scores 2197 against 1970, a delta of 11.5%. In R23, it scores 5232 against 4692, also an 11.5% delta.

Q: Is the single-core performance gap similar to the multi-core gap?

A: Yes, the single-core deltas are close to the multi-core deltas. The R15 single-core test shows a 12.1% gap (74 versus 66), while R20 single-core shows 11.2% (309 versus 278) and R23 single-core shows 11.5% (738 versus 662).

Q: What is the biggest difference in specifications between the two?

A: The TDP is the largest single difference: the i7-8665U uses 15 watts, while the i7-4710HQ uses 47 watts. The memory bandwidth also differs greatly, at 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s. The L3 cache differs by 2 MB (8 MB versus 6 MB).

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. The i7-8665U has a base clock of 1900.00 MHz and a boost of 4.80 GHz, while the i7-4710HQ has a base of 2500.00 MHz and a boost of 3.50 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-8665U supports DDR4, along with DDR3. The i7-4710HQ supports DDR3 only.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-8665U has an average benchmark score of 1513, while the i7-4710HQ has 1473. Both sit at the 38th percentile against all CPUs in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-8665U wins in every category measured. It takes all six head-to-head benchmarks, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. Its wins are consistent, with the smallest margin at 11.2% and the largest at 12.1%. This makes it the superior choice for any task that relies on raw CPU throughput, whether that is rendering, encoding, or general responsiveness.

The i7-4710HQ has no recorded benchmark wins in this comparison. However, its higher base clock of 2500.00 MHz could theoretically provide an advantage in scenarios where the processor cannot reach boost frequencies, such as prolonged all-core loads under thermal constraints. The recorded data does not include such a test, so this remains a qualitative observation. Its smaller L3 cache and lower memory bandwidth put it at a disadvantage in most workloads, but its lower release date in 2014 means it may be found in older, more established systems.

For use-case planning, the i7-8665U is better suited to modern multitasking, memory-intensive applications, and any workload that benefits from higher boost clocks and newer architecture. The i7-4710HQ, with its higher base clock and 47-watt TDP, might be acceptable in a system where sustained base-clock operation is more important than peak performance, but the benchmarks do not support a preference for it in any tested scenario.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The i7-8665U uses a base clock of 1900.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, while the i7-4710HQ uses 2500.00 MHz and 3.50 GHz respectively. The TDP is 15 watts for the i7-8665U and 47 watts for the i7-4710HQ. The sockets are different: Intel BGA 1528 versus Intel BGA 1364.

The architecture and process node differ: Whiskey Lake on 14 nm for the i7-8665U, versus Haswell (Crystalwell) on 22 nm for the i7-4710HQ. The i7-4710HQ has reported transistor and die-size numbers (1,400 million transistors, 264 mm²), while the i7-8665U has none. The L3 cache is 8 MB shared for the i7-8665U and 6 MB shared for the i7-4710HQ. Memory support differs: both dual-channel, but the i7-8665U supports DDR3 and DDR4 with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-4710HQ supports only DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s.

Integrated graphics are UHD Graphics 620 for the i7-8665U and Intel HD 4600 for the i7-4710HQ. The release dates are 2018 for the i7-8665U and 2014 for the i7-4710HQ. The i7-8665U has a launch MSRP of $409, while the i7-4710HQ has no launch MSRP recorded. Both are end-of-life, mobile, non-unlocked multipliers, and neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.