CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-4500U vs Intel Core i7-4702HQ
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-4500U is an ultra-low power mobile processor launched in June 2013 as part of the 4th Generation Haswell-ULT family. Designed for thin-and-light laptops, it features 2 cores and 4 threads, a downgrade from the quad-core designs of previous mobile i7s, but optimized for a 15-watt TDP. Built on the 22nm process, it operates at a base clock of 1.8 GHz and can boost up to 3.0 GHz. The processor includes 4MB of L3 cache and integrates Intel HD Graphics 4400. The 'U' suffix denotes its ultra-low power nature, prioritizing battery life over raw performance. While its dual-core design limits multi-threaded performance, its aggressive turbo boost ensures snappy responsiveness for everyday productivity. The i7-4500U became a popular choice for ultrabooks of its era, bringing good single-core performance to the portable form factor.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Slow for modern office tasks and multitasking.
Handles everyday office multitasking well.
Gaming
Cannot run modern games; struggles with basic 3D.
Only suitable for very old or lightweight games.
Virtualization
Not recommended due to 2 cores.
Capable of basic VMs but limited by clock speed.
Efficiency
15W TDP was efficient in 2013, but outdated now.
Better than 47W parts, but still outdated.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware
- No AI acceleration
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 4400 is too weak
- Only suitable for 2D games
- HD 4600 is not for gaming
- Pairs poorly with modern GPUs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Was efficient in 2013
- Good single-core burst performance
- 15W TDP
- Enabled thin-and-light designs
Cons
- Only 2 cores
- Very slow for modern tasks
- No Windows 11 support
- 22nm process is outdated
Pros
- Lower 37W TDP for slim laptops
- Quad-core multitasking
- Good battery life for its era
- Supports VT-d and AES-NI
Cons
- Lower clock speeds
- Soldered BGA package
- No eDRAM
- Outdated 22nm process
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-4500U
- AMD A4-5000Rival
Mobile
- AMD A6-5200Rival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4200URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-3537URival
Mobile
- AMD A8-5545MRival
Mobile
Modern budget CPU with vastly superior performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 5300UAlt
Modern budget alternative with 4 cores.
Excellent modern ultrabook chip.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Unmatched efficiency for basic use.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Great budget performance.
Intel Core i7-4702HQ
- AMD A10-5745MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4500URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4200URival
Mobile
- AMD FX-7600PRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-3612QMRival
Mobile
Slightly faster low-TDP alternative.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Modern alternative with massive efficiency gains.
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
Modern quad-core alternative with much better battery life.
If higher TDP and cooling is available.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Vastly superior thin-and-light performance.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A highly efficient dual-core CPU for its time, but severely lacking in performance for modern tasks.
Best for: If you are considering a laptop with the Intel Core i7-4500U today, it should only be purchased in the used market at an extremely low price. It remains capable of very basic web browsing and document editing, but its 2-core design is a major bottleneck for modern multitasking. Avoid purchasing a laptop with this CPU if you need to do any modern productivity work, video editing, or gaming. It is best suited for budget-conscious buyers who need a cheap, secondary machine for light web browsing. For any primary computing needs, investing in a newer platform is strongly recommended.
Read the full reviewA lower-power Haswell variant that brought quad-core capabilities to thinner laptops, though easily outclassed by modern chips.
Best for: If you encounter a laptop with an Intel Core i7-4702HQ today, it should be viewed strictly as a budget-friendly secondary device. The processor is end-of-life, meaning it will not receive modern optimization updates, and its 22nm process is inherently less efficient than current offerings. For basic tasks like web browsing, document editing, and media consumption, this CPU still has enough life left to provide a smooth experience. However, its lower clock speeds mean it will struggle with modern multitasking or heavy workloads. If you are repairing a legacy system, this chip is a drop-in replacement for BGA 1364 motherboards, but you must ensure your cooling solution is pristine, as even 37 watts can throttle aggressively in a degraded laptop chassis. Avoid paying premium prices for this outdated hardware; only pursue it if the price reflects its retro capability and limited futureproofing.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-4500U or Intel Core i7-4702HQ?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-4702HQ comes out ahead with a score of 6.5/10. 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 i7-4500U or Intel Core i7-4702HQ?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-4702HQ leads with a gaming performance score of 50/100 among Intel Core i7-4500U and Intel Core i7-4702HQ.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-4500U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-4500U (15 W), Intel Core i7-4702HQ (37 W).
Do Intel Core i7-4500U and Intel Core i7-4702HQ use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-4500U: Intel BGA 1168, Intel Core i7-4702HQ: Intel BGA 1364), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i7-4702HQ has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-4500U (2 cores), Intel Core i7-4702HQ (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-4702HQ posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-4702HQ (7,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.