Intel Core i7-7700T vs Intel Core i7-7820HK Comparison

The Intel Core i7-7820HK and Intel Core i7-7700T are two 2017 Kaby Lake parts that take very different paths to a similar destination. Both are 4-core, 8-thread processors with the same 14 nm process and 8 MB of shared L3 cache, yet one is a 45 W mobile chip with an unlocked multiplier and the other is a 35 W desktop chip with a locked multiplier. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split: the 7700T consistently wins in Cinebench workloads, while the 7820HK takes the Geekbench crown. This divergence invites a closer look at what each chip prioritizes.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear pattern of the Intel Core i7-7700T dominating the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 7700T scores 646 against the 7820HK’s 635, a delta of -1.7% from the perspective of the 7820HK. The single-core R15 test follows suit, with the 7700T at 91 and the 7820HK at 89, a -2.2% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the 7700T again leads in multicore with 2692 versus 2648 (-1.6%) and in single-core with 380 versus 373 (-1.8%). The margins remain consistent in Cinebench R23, where the 7700T posts 6410 multicore and 905 single-core, against the 7820HK’s 6306 and 890, respectively, both at a -1.6% and -1.7% delta. Across all six Cinebench tests, the 7700T wins by a narrow but uniform margin, suggesting a slight clock-for-clock efficiency advantage in these rendering workloads.

The story flips entirely in Geekbench. Here, the Intel Core i7-7820HK takes both victories, and by a more substantial margin. In Geekbench multicore, the 7820HK scores 4173 against the 7700T’s 3938, a 6% delta in favor of the mobile chip. The single-core Geekbench result also favors the 7820HK, with 1273 versus 1248, a 2% lead. This is a significant divergence: the 7700T is faster in every Cinebench test, yet the 7820HK is faster in Geekbench. The data suggests these two benchmarks are measuring different aspects of performance, with Geekbench possibly responding better to the 7820HK’s higher boost clock of 3.90 GHz versus the 7700T’s 3.80 GHz, or to its unlocked multiplier allowing for different operating states. The 7820HK also wins the overall score tally, with 2 wins against the 7700T’s 6, but the average benchmark score tells a closer story: the 7820HK averages 2048, while the 7700T averages 2039. This places them nearly neck-and-neck in overall performance, with the 7820HK sitting at the 46th percentile of all CPUs and the 7700T at the 45th.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock, and does it matter?

A: The Intel Core i7-7820HK has a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-7700T has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The data indicates this 0.10 GHz advantage does not translate into universal performance wins, as the 7700T still wins all Cinebench tests despite the lower clock.

Q: Are these processors equal in core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-7820HK and the Intel Core i7-7700T feature 4 cores and 8 threads. They also share the same 8 MB shared L3 cache and 64 KB per-core L1 and 256 KB per-core L2 caches.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare to rival CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-7820HK averages 2048, placing it 0% from the Intel Xeon E3-1270 v5 and 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U. The Intel Core i7-7700T averages 2039, which is 0.1% behind the AMD Opteron 6386 SE and 0.2% behind the Intel Xeon E3-1275 v5. Both chips sit within a tight cluster of similarly performing CPUs.

Q: Do the Cinebench R23 scores correlate with the Geekbench scores?

A: No, they do not. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the 7700T wins with 6410 over 6306, but in Geekbench multicore, the 7820HK wins with 4173 over 3938. This inverse relationship suggests the chips have different performance profiles depending on the workload type.

Q: What is the significance of the 7820HK’s unlocked multiplier?

A: The Intel Core i7-7820HK has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i7-7700T does not. This allows for overclocking on the 7820HK, which could explain its higher Geekbench scores, though the data does not specify any overclocked results.

Q: Which CPU has a higher TDP, and how does that relate to its performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-7820HK has a TDP of 45 W, while the Intel Core i7-7700T has a TDP of 35 W. Despite the higher power envelope, the 7820HK only wins in Geekbench tests, while the lower-power 7700T wins in all Cinebench tests, indicating TDP is not a direct predictor of benchmark success here.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s Kaby Lake architecture and the 14 nm process node, but their codenames and target segments differ. The Intel Core i7-7820HK is part of the Kaby Lake-H family, designed for mobile platforms, while the Intel Core i7-7700T belongs to the standard Kaby Lake desktop family. This distinction is reflected in their sockets: the 7820HK uses Intel BGA 1440, a ball-grid array for soldered mobile installation, whereas the 7700T uses Intel Socket 1151, a desktop LGA socket. The 7820HK has a die size of 126 mm², while the 7700T’s die size is not listed in the data. The 7820HK’s integrated graphics are listed as Intel HD Graphics 630, while the 7700T’s are listed as HD 630 — functionally the same iGPU, but the naming difference hints at minor validation or feature variations between the mobile and desktop parts. Both support the same PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and both lack ECC memory support.

Memory support is another divergence. The 7820HK supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the 7700T supports only DDR4. The 7700T also lists a specific memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, a figure not provided for the 7820HK. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The 7820HK has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, while the 7700T is locked. The production statuses differ as well: the 7820HK is end-of-life, while the 7700T is active. The part numbers are SR32P for the 7820HK and SR339 for the 7700T.

Specification Differences

The specification tables reveal several key differences between the two CPUs. The most obvious is TDP: the 7820HK draws 45 W, while the 7700T draws 35 W. Boost clocks differ by 0.10 GHz, with the 7820HK at 3.90 GHz and the 7700T at 3.80 GHz; base clocks are identical at 2.90 GHz. The 7820HK uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, while the 7700T uses Intel Socket 1151. The 7820HK’s market segment is Mobile, while the 7700T’s is Desktop. The 7820HK has a launch MSRP of $378, while the 7700T has no listed launch MSRP. The 7820HK supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, whereas the 7700T supports only DDR4. The 7700T has a listed memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, which is absent for the 7820HK. The 7820HK has an unlocked multiplier, while the 7700T does not. The 7820HK is end-of-life, while the 7700T is active. The die size is 126 mm² for the 7820HK and not listed for the 7700T. Finally, the integrated graphics are labeled Intel HD Graphics 630 for the 7820HK and HD 630 for the 7700T.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-7700T is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads. Across all three versions of Cinebench (R15, R20, and R23), in both single-core and multicore tests, the 7700T outperforms the 7820HK by margins ranging from -1.6% to -2.2%. This makes it the better choice for rendering tasks that rely on Cinebench’s specific instruction mix, despite its lower TDP and locked multiplier. The 7700T’s consistency across six tests suggests a stable performance advantage in this benchmark family.

The Intel Core i7-7820HK wins in Geekbench, with a 6% lead in multicore and a 2% lead in single-core. This is a substantial margin in the multicore test, indicating that the 7820HK is better suited for workloads that Geekbench represents, which often include a mix of integer, floating-point, and memory operations. The 7820HK’s unlocked multiplier also makes it the only one of the two that can be overclocked, potentially extending its lead in any workload if the user pushes the clocks higher. For users who prioritize Geekbench scores, the 7820HK is the winner.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but paradoxical verdict. If your priority is Cinebench performance, the Intel Core i7-7700T is the superior chip, winning all six Cinebench tests by a small but consistent margin. It does so while consuming less power (35 W versus 45 W) and being a locked desktop part, which suggests it is highly efficient for its intended segment. Its active production status also means it is still available, whereas the 7820HK is end-of-life.

If your priority is Geekbench performance, the Intel Core i7-7820HK is the better choice, with a decisive 6% multicore lead and a 2% single-core lead. Its unlocked multiplier offers additional headroom for overclocking, and its support for both DDR3 and DDR4 memory provides more flexibility in system configuration. The 7820HK also has a higher boost clock and a listed launch MSRP of $378, which may have positioned it as a premium mobile part in its day.

For a desktop user focused on rendering, the 7700T is the logical pick. For a mobile user or an enthusiast willing to overclock, the 7820HK offers advantages that the locked, lower-clock 7700T cannot match. The average scores are nearly identical — 2048 versus 2039 — so the decision ultimately hinges on which benchmark suite aligns with your actual workload. The data does not declare a single winner; it declares two winners for two different audiences.