CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-3635QM vs Intel Core i7-4700HQ
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-3635QM is a high-performance mobile processor launched in late 2012 as part of the Ivy Bridge generation. Designed for premium laptops and mobile workstations, it features four cores and eight threads, delivering robust parallel processing capabilities. It operates at a base clock of 2.4 GHz and can boost up to 3.4 GHz using Intel Turbo Boost 2.0. Unlike the socketed 3630QM, the 3635QM utilizes a BGA 1224 package, meaning it is soldered directly to the motherboard. This allows for slightly thinner laptop designs but prevents CPU upgrades. With a 45-watt thermal design power, it balances high performance with the thermal constraints of premium mobile chassis. The integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics offer capable multimedia decoding. This CPU was a popular choice for system integrators building compact, high-performance laptops where board space and component height were critical factors.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
8 threads handle everyday multitasking and office workloads without issues.
Adequate for basic multitasking and office apps.
Gaming
Handles older or eSports titles well when paired with a discrete GPU.
Handles older eSports titles well, bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Virtualization
Can run light VMs, but limited by DDR3 bandwidth and 45W power.
Can run lightweight VMs for development.
Efficiency
22nm Ivy Bridge is not as efficient as modern mobile processes.
47W TDP results in poor battery life by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- CPU inference is slow
- No NPU or modern AI acceleration
Content Creation
Gaming
- Needs a discrete GPU for gaming
- Capable of 60fps in older titles
- Will bottleneck modern high-end mobile GPUs
- Bottlenecks modern mid-range GPUs
- Great for 2013-2015 titles
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Good quad-core performance for its era
- BGA design allows for thinner laptops
- Strong turbo boost frequencies
- Decent 6MB L3 cache
Cons
- Soldered to motherboard, cannot be upgraded
- Older 22nm process
- Supports only DDR3
- Weak integrated graphics
Pros
- Reliable quad-core performance
- Widely compatible laptop ecosystem
- Good turbo boost headroom
- VT-d and AES-NI support
Cons
- Soldered to motherboard
- No eDRAM for graphics
- End-of-life and unsupported
- High heat output under load
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-3635QM
- AMD A10-4600MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3630QMRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3612QMRival
Mobile
- AMD FX-6100Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3210MRival
Mobile
Newer Haswell architecture with better efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3500UAlt
Modern mobile alternative with vastly superior efficiency.
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
Much faster and more efficient for budget laptops.
- Alt
Incredible performance per watt.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-4700HQ
- AMD A10-5750MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3630QMRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-4200MRival
Mobile
- AMD FX-7500Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4702HQRival
Mobile
Slight refresh with higher clocks.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3500UAlt
Modern budget alternative with vastly better iGPU.
Modern budget gaming alternative.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Massive leap in mobile efficiency and performance.
Compare head-to-head - Intel Core i7-4720HQAlt
Better performing drop-in replacement.
Our Verdict on Each
A capable mobile CPU that provided excellent quad-core performance for laptops in its era, utilizing a space-saving BGA design.
Best for: Purchasing a budget, used laptop for basic tasks or retro gaming.
Read the full reviewA reliable workhorse that powered countless mid-range gaming laptops, though obsolete by modern standards.
Best for: Locating an Intel Core i7-4700HQ today means searching the used market, as it has been end-of-life for several years. For consumers looking to purchase a budget-friendly used laptop, a machine equipped with this processor can still handle everyday tasks, light photo editing, and older games reasonably well. However, its 47-watt power draw and older 22nm architecture mean battery life will be subpar compared to modern ultrabooks. If you are repairing an existing laptop, this CPU remains a solid component, provided the motherboard and cooling system are in good condition. Do not invest in a system with this chip if your goal is modern AAA gaming or heavy video editing; the lack of modern instruction sets and single-core performance will be a severe bottleneck. Instead, view it as a capable retro-gaming or basic productivity companion.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-3635QM or Intel Core i7-4700HQ?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-4700HQ comes out ahead with a score of 7/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i7-3635QM or Intel Core i7-4700HQ?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-4700HQ leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i7-3635QM and Intel Core i7-4700HQ.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-3635QM has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-3635QM (45 W), Intel Core i7-4700HQ (47 W).
Do Intel Core i7-3635QM and Intel Core i7-4700HQ use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-3635QM: Intel BGA 1224, Intel Core i7-4700HQ: Intel BGA 1364), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-4700HQ posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-3635QM (4,900), Intel Core i7-4700HQ (7,400). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.