Intel Core i7-4770HQ vs Intel Core i7-980 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data for the Intel Core i7-980 and Intel Core i7-4770HQ shows a consistent pattern across all six head-to-head Cinebench tests. The Core i7-980 wins every comparison, with the smallest advantage being 14.6% and the largest being 15.3%. This is not a close contest; the older desktop chip holds a decisive edge in every measured workload.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Core i7-980 scores 589 against 514 for the Core i7-4770HQ, a lead of 14.6%. The single-core result in the same test shows an 83 to 72 score, a 15.3% advantage for the i7-980. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 2458 and 2144, again a 14.6% margin, while the single-core test shows 346 versus 302, also 14.6%. Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern: multi-core 5853 against 5106, and single-core 826 against 720, with margins of 14.6% and 14.7%, respectively.

What is notable here is the uniformity of the gap. Across three generations of the Cinebench suite, the delta remains almost constant at roughly 14.6%. This suggests the performance difference is structural, not workload dependent, a point reinforced by the fact that the single-core and multi-core margins are nearly identical. The i7-980's advantage is not about extra cores alone; it also wins single-threaded tests by a similar proportion.

The average benchmark score in the database is 1693 for the i7-980 and 1660 for the i7-4770HQ. Both processors sit at the 40th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall standing, despite the head-to-head results. This is explained by the nearest rivals: the i7-980 is 0.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 3750H, 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3770K and i7-5850HQ, and 0.5% behind the AMD Athlon Gold 3150G. The i7-4770HQ is 0.1% ahead of the Intel Xeon E-2124, 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i5-4670K, 0.2% behind the Intel Core i5-7600T, and 0.4% behind the Intel Core i7-6700TE. These tiny deltas place both chips in the same performance tier, even though the direct comparison favors one side heavily.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-980 uses the Westmere architecture, codenamed Gulftown, built on a 32 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 1,170 million transistors into a 239 mm² die. The Core i7-4770HQ uses the Haswell architecture, codenamed Crystalwell, on a 22 nm process, also from Intel. Its transistor count is higher at 1,400 million, and the die is larger at 264 mm². The newer node allows for more transistors in a bigger package, but the i7-980 relies on a simpler design with fewer, larger cores.

Core counts differ significantly. The i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i7-4770HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads. This two-core, four-thread advantage is a primary reason for the multi-core benchmark wins. Cache hierarchies also diverge: the i7-980 has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the i7-4770HQ has only 6 MB. Both share the same L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) configuration. The larger L3 on the i7-980 helps feed its six cores, though the newer architecture of the i7-4770HQ may compensate with better per-clock efficiency.

Clock speeds favor the i7-980. Its base clock is 3.33 GHz with a boost of 3.60 GHz, compared to 2.20 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost for the i7-4770HQ. The 1.13 GHz base clock difference is substantial, and even the boost clocks differ by 0.20 GHz. However, power consumption is inverted: the i7-980 has a TDP of 130 watts, while the i7-4770HQ draws only 47 watts. This is a desktop versus mobile distinction, and the 83-watt gap explains why the i7-4770HQ is found in laptops.

Memory support also differs. The i7-980 uses triple-channel DDR3, while the i7-4770HQ uses dual-channel DDR3 with a recorded bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. The i7-4770HQ has no memory bandwidth figure listed, but its dual-channel bus is narrower. PCIe generation differs too: the i7-980 supports Gen 2, while the i7-4770HQ has Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i7-4770HQ also integrates Intel HD 5200 graphics, whereas the i7-980 has no integrated graphics at all. Sockets are distinct: LGA 1366 for the i7-980, BGA 1364 for the i7-4770HQ. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Core i7-980 wins every benchmark in the head-to-head set, so the question is not whether it wins, but what that means for real-world usage. Its 6-core, 12-thread configuration with a 3.33 GHz base clock delivers higher throughput in multi-threaded rendering tasks. Cinebench R23 multi-core at 5853 points is 14.6% ahead of the i7-4770HQ's 5106, which translates to faster video rendering, 3D scene compilation, and other CPU-bound creative workloads. The single-core lead of 14.7% in R23 (826 versus 720) also indicates better responsiveness in lightly threaded applications like spreadsheet calculations or web browsing.

The Core i7-4770HQ, despite losing all direct comparisons, has its own strengths that do not appear in the Cinebench data. Its integrated Intel HD 5200 graphics are a significant feature, as the i7-980 has no GPU at all. A system built around the i7-4770HQ does not require a discrete graphics card for basic display output, which is essential for mobile platforms. Its 47-watt TDP also means it can fit in thin laptops with modest cooling, whereas the i7-980's 130-watt TDP demands a large desktop cooler and substantial airflow. The i7-4770HQ's PCIe Gen 3 support with 16 lanes is also more modern, allowing faster data transfer to compatible peripherals.

For users who already have a discrete GPU, the i7-980's lack of integrated graphics is irrelevant, and its raw compute advantage takes precedence. For those building a compact or mobile system where power draw and space are constraints, the i7-4770HQ is the only viable option. The data does not show any benchmark where the i7-4770HQ is faster, so any advantage is purely in platform characteristics, not processing speed.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i7-980 is the faster processor in all recorded benchmarks. It wins by a consistent 14.6% to 15.3% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core tests. If the decision is based solely on compute performance, the i7-980 is the clear choice. Its 6 cores, 12 threads, higher clock speeds, and 12 MB of L3 cache deliver measurable benefits in every workload the database captures.

The Intel Core i7-4770HQ is not competitive in raw speed, but it serves a different purpose. Its 4 cores and 8 threads are sufficient for many tasks, and its 47-watt TDP makes it suitable for mobile systems. The integrated Intel HD 5200 graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU in basic configurations. The i7-4770HQ also has PCIe Gen 3, a newer standard than the i7-980's Gen 2, which matters for storage and expansion in modern systems.

Both chips sit at the 40th percentile of all CPUs, with average scores of 1693 and 1660, respectively. The nearest rivals for each show that neither is an outlier; they are surrounded by similar-performing chips from both AMD and Intel. The i7-980's rivals include the Ryzen 7 3750H and Core i7-3770K, while the i7-4770HQ's include the Xeon E-2124 and Core i5-4670K. This indicates that within their respective performance tiers, neither chip is exceptionally fast or slow.

The choice comes down to platform. For a desktop with a dedicated GPU, the i7-980 offers more cores, more cache, and higher clocks, all at the cost of 130 watts and a specific LGA 1366 motherboard. For a laptop or a low-power small form factor build, the i7-4770HQ is the only option that fits, despite its lower benchmark scores. The data cannot recommend the i7-4770HQ for pure performance, but it can justify its existence as a mobile part with reasonable speed and integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-980 scores 5853, while the Intel Core i7-4770HQ scores 5106, a 14.6% advantage for the i7-980.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance between the two?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-980 scores 826 and the i7-4770HQ scores 720, giving the i7-980 a 14.7% lead.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i7-980 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i7-4770HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-4770HQ have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel HD 5200 graphics. The Intel Core i7-980 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-980 has a TDP of 130 watts, while the Intel Core i7-4770HQ has a TDP of 47 watts.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 3?

A: The Intel Core i7-4770HQ supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel Core i7-980 supports PCIe Gen 2.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-980 | Intel Core i7-4770HQ |

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

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 12 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.33 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 130 W | 47 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1366 | Intel BGA 1364 |

| Architecture | Westmere | Haswell |

| Codename | Gulftown | Crystalwell |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,170 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 239 mm² | 264 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Triple-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not recorded | 25.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 5200 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2011-06-25 | 2014-06-30 |

| Part Number | SLBYU | SR1ZW |