CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-4710HQ vs Intel Core i7-4712HQ
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-4710HQ is a performance-oriented mobile processor launched in April 2014 as a minor refresh to the successful Haswell lineup. Designed for mid-range gaming laptops and portable workstations, it features four cores and eight threads, delivering solid multitasking capabilities. Operating at a base frequency of 2.5 GHz with turbo boosts up to 3.5 GHz, it offered a marginal clock speed bump over its predecessor, the 4700HQ. It retains the Intel HD Graphics 4600, meaning it relies on discrete GPUs for serious graphical workloads, a common pairing in the laptops it inhabited. Built on a 22nm process with a 47-watt TDP, it fits into the standard performance tier for mobile computing of its time. Though now end-of-life, the 4710HQ served as a reliable engine for students and professionals alike, offering enough computational headroom for video editing, coding, and gaming without breaking the bank during the mid-2010s.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Good multi-threaded performance for everyday apps.
Can handle basic office tasks but struggles with heavy multitasking.
Gaming
Handles older eSports titles but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Severely bottlenecked by modern standards; only suitable for very old or 2D games.
Virtualization
Can handle basic VM setups.
Limited by 4 cores and older architecture for modern VMs.
Efficiency
47W TDP is outdated by modern mobile standards.
22nm process is highly inefficient compared to modern 10nm or 14nm chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Lacks modern instruction sets for AI inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Great for 2014-era titles
- Relies on HD 4600 or older discrete GPUs
- Cannot run modern AAA titles
- Suitable only for legacy games
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Reliable quad-core performance
- 100MHz bump over 4700HQ
- Good turbo headroom
- Widely compatible laptop ecosystem
Cons
- Soldered to motherboard
- No eDRAM
- Outdated 22nm process
- Poor efficiency by modern standards
Pros
- Was a strong performer in 2014
- 4 physical cores
- Supports AVX2
- Includes VT-x for virtualization
Cons
- End-of-life and unsupported
- 22nm process is inefficient
- Soldered to motherboard
- Lacks Windows 11 official support
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i7-4710HQ
- AMD A10-7300MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4700HQRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-4210HRival
Mobile
- AMD FX-7600PRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-4720HQRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-9300HAlt
Modern budget gaming alternative.
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HAlt
Vastly superior modern mobile performance.
- Alt
Massive leap in efficiency.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i7-4712HQ
- AMD A10-5750MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-4700MQRival
Mobile
- AMD A8-5557MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-4200MRival
Mobile
- AMD A10-5745MRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
Vastly superior efficiency and performance.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Budget modern alternative with 6 cores.
Modern budget laptop chip.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
Unmatched battery life for basic use.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 7 5700UAlt
Excellent multi-core performance for the price.
Our Verdict on Each
A solid Haswell refresh that provided reliable quad-core performance for mid-2010s gaming laptops.
Best for: If you are considering a laptop with an Intel Core i7-4710HQ today, it should strictly be a budget-conscious purchase, likely under two hundred dollars. The processor is end-of-life and lacks the modern efficiency and single-core speed required for today's demanding software. However, for light office work, web browsing, or playing older games like CS:GO or League of Legends, it still performs admirably. If you are repairing a laptop, this chip is a direct drop-in replacement for other 47-watt Haswell HQ processors on BGA 1364 motherboards, though soldering is required. Ensure the laptop's cooling system is completely functional, as a 47W chip will overheat quickly in a clogged heatsink. Do not buy this expecting to run modern AAA titles or edit 4K video. Treat it as a capable legacy machine for basic productivity, retro gaming, or as an educational tool for learning computer hardware repair.
Read the full reviewA reliable 4th Gen mobile CPU that was great for its time, but now shows its age in efficiency and single-core performance.
Best for: When considering the Core i7-4712HQ today, it is crucial to recognize its age. This processor should only be sought in the used market for extremely budget-conscious buyers. It remains capable of basic web browsing, document editing, and media consumption. However, its 22nm architecture and 37W TDP mean it runs warm and drains battery faster than modern alternatives. Avoid this CPU if you plan to do modern gaming, heavy video editing, or need long battery life. If you find a used laptop with this chip for a very low price, it can serve as a capable secondary machine for light tasks. But for any primary computing needs, investing in a newer platform is strongly recommended for better efficiency, security, and performance.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-4710HQ or Intel Core i7-4712HQ?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-4710HQ 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 i7-4710HQ or Intel Core i7-4712HQ?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-4710HQ leads with a gaming performance score of 65/100 among Intel Core i7-4710HQ and Intel Core i7-4712HQ.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i7-4712HQ has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-4710HQ (47 W), Intel Core i7-4712HQ (37 W).
Do Intel Core i7-4710HQ and Intel Core i7-4712HQ use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1364 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-4710HQ posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-4710HQ (7,500). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.