Intel Core i7-4770HQ vs Intel Core i7-8560U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-8560U wins every single head-to-head test, six out of six. The i7-4770HQ records zero wins in the recorded comparison. Across all three Cinebench versions, the newer chip leads by a consistent margin, with deltas ranging from -9.5% to -10%. This uniformity across workloads is notable; the performance gap is nearly identical in both single-threaded and multi-threaded tasks.

In Cinebench R15, the i7-8560U scores 568 in multi-core versus 514 for the i7-4770HQ, a 9.5% advantage. The single-core gap is larger in percentage terms: 80 versus 72, a 10% delta. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i7-8560U posts 2369 multi-core against 2144, and 334 single-core against 302. The delta sits at -9.5% and -9.6% respectively.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend. The i7-8560U reaches 5641 multi-core and 796 single-core, while the i7-4770HQ manages 5106 and 720. Both deltas are exactly -9.5%. There is no workload category in the database where the i7-4770HQ pulls ahead, not even in heavily threaded render tests where its higher 47W TDP might suggest an advantage. The consistency of the margin, roughly 9.5% to 10% across every test, indicates a fundamental per-clock efficiency difference rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-8560U wins everywhere in raw performance. This is not a close contest. Its victory spans both single-core and multi-core benchmarks, and it holds the edge in every Cinebench iteration recorded: R15, R20, and R23. The 9.5% multi-core lead and the 9.5% to 10% single-core lead are effectively identical, meaning the i7-8560U does not sacrifice one type of performance for another. It is simply faster across the board.

For the i7-4770HQ, there is no benchmark category where it emerges as the winner. However, the data does show where it comes closest. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 5106 is within 9.5% of the i7-8560U, which is the same relative gap as its single-core deficit. There is no bright spot hiding in the numbers. The recorded data offers no scenario, render test, or synthetic workload where the older Haswell part takes the lead.

The i7-8560U also holds a slight edge in the overall database percentile ranking, sitting at the 39th percentile versus the 40th percentile for the i7-4770HQ. The average benchmark scores tell a similar story: 1631 for the i7-8560U and 1660 for the i7-4770HQ. These are close overall figures, but the head-to-head results are not close at all. The i7-4770HQ's average is buoyed by Geekbench scores, which are present in its record (3407 multi-core, 1013 single-core) but missing from the i7-8560U's benchmark list in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different eras of Intel mobile silicon. The i7-4770HQ uses the Haswell architecture, codenamed Crystalwell, built on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors and a die size of 264 mm². The i7-8560U uses Whiskey Lake, codenamed Whiskey Lake-U, built on a 14 nm process. The database does not list transistor count or die size for the i7-8560U, so those figures cannot be compared directly.

Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, and both use a dual-channel memory bus. The cache hierarchies diverge in the L3. The i7-4770HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-8560U has 8 MB. L1 and L2 are identical: 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core respectively.

Memory support differs. The i7-4770HQ supports only DDR3, with a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i7-8560U supports both DDR3 and DDR4, with a higher memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. This 12.8 GB/s difference in theoretical bandwidth likely contributes to the consistent performance gap, especially in multi-threaded workloads that stress memory throughput.

The base clocks are dramatically different, though the boost clocks tell another story. The i7-4770HQ has a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The i7-8560U has a base clock of 1800.00 MHz (1.80 GHz) and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The newer chip starts lower but boosts significantly higher, a characteristic of Intel's modern mobile design philosophy where thermal headroom is used for short burst performance.

The TDP figures are the most striking architectural difference. The i7-4770HQ is rated at 47W, while the i7-8560U is rated at 15W. Despite consuming roughly three times the power budget, the older chip is slower. This reflects the efficiency gains from the 14 nm process and the Whiskey Lake microarchitecture.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i7-4770HQ uses Intel HD 5200, while the i7-8560U uses UHD Graphics 620. Both chips use the same PCIe configuration: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory. Both are end-of-life products, with the i7-4770HQ released in June 2014 and the i7-8560U released in September 2018. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-8560U boosts to 4.60 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-4770HQ tops out at 3.40 GHz. This 1.20 GHz difference is a major factor in the newer chip's consistent single-core lead.

Q: Does the i7-4770HQ ever win any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the i7-8560U winning all six recorded tests, with the i7-4770HQ recording zero wins. The closest margin is 9.5% in multi-core tests.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-4770HQ has an average benchmark score of 1660, while the i7-8560U averages 1631. This is a 1.8% difference in favor of the older chip, driven by Geekbench results that are not included in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-4770HQ is rated at 47W, and the i7-8560U is rated at 15W. The newer chip delivers higher performance at a fraction of the power envelope.

Q: Do they support the same memory types?

A: No. The i7-4770HQ supports only DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-8560U supports both DDR3 and DDR4, with a higher 38.4 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. Both are marked as end-of-life in the database. The i7-4770HQ was released in June 2014, and the i7-8560U was released in September 2018.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors is straightforward based on the recorded data. The Intel Core i7-8560U is the faster chip in every measured scenario. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks with margins between 9.5% and 10%. It does this while consuming only 15W of power, compared to 47W for the i7-4770HQ. The newer architecture, 14 nm versus 22 nm, delivers superior per-watt performance and a higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus 3.40 GHz.

Anyone choosing between these two for a mobile system should select the i7-8560U if raw performance is the priority. It is faster in single-core and multi-core work, supports newer DDR4 memory, and has a larger 8 MB L3 cache. The i7-4770HQ offers no performance advantage in the benchmark data. Its only relative strengths are the integrated HD 5200 graphics and a lower average benchmark score gap that stems from Geekbench results not present in the head-to-head record.

The i7-4770HQ remains a capable processor in absolute terms, but this is not a competitive matchup. The database shows a clear generational leap. The i7-8560U is the pick for anyone who values speed, efficiency, and modern memory support. The i7-4770HQ would only be relevant if a system specifically required its older socket, Intel BGA 1364, or its specific integrated graphics solution.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4770HQ | Intel Core i7-8560U |

|---------------|---------------------|---------------------|

| Architecture | Haswell | Whiskey Lake |

| Codename | Crystalwell | Whiskey Lake-U |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 264 mm² | Not listed |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 1800.00 MHz (1.80 GHz) |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 47W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel BGA 1528 |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 5200 | UHD Graphics 620 |

| Release Date | June 2014 | September 2018 |

| Part Number | SR1ZW | SRGML |

| Percentile Vs All CPUs | 40 | 39 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 1660 | 1631 |

| Benchmark Wins | 0 | 6 |

The specification table highlights the key divergences. The i7-8560U is built on a smaller process node, offers a higher boost clock, more L3 cache, broader memory support, and higher memory bandwidth, all while using 32W less power. The i7-4770HQ counters with a higher base clock and a larger die size, but neither advantage translates into a benchmark victory. The data is clear: the i7-8560U is the superior processor in this comparison.