CPU Comparison
Intel Core i7-4710HQ vs Intel Core i5-6350HQ
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.
Quad-core performance handles everyday applications and moderate content creation well.
Gaming
Handles older eSports titles but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Capable of playing older or well-optimized titles at 1080p thanks to the Iris Pro 580 graphics.
Virtualization
Can handle basic VM setups.
Adequate for light virtual machine workloads but limited by 4 threads.
Efficiency
47W TDP is outdated by modern mobile standards.
The 14nm process and 45W TDP run warm compared to modern mobile chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- Iris Pro execution units can handle very basic inference workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Great for 2014-era titles
- Iris Pro 580 provides playable framerates in older esports titles
- Lacks the horsepower of modern integrated solutions
- Benefited from 128MB eDRAM buffer for texture caching
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- Outdated 22nm process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
- Powerful Iris Pro 580 integrated graphics for its time
- True quad-core design for solid multitasking
- Configurable TDP for mobile flexibility
- Supports fast DDR4 memory
- Includes 128MB eDRAM cache
Cons
- End-of-life and outdated architecture
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- 45W TDP is inefficient by modern standards
- Soldered to the motherboard (BGA)
- Only 4 threads limits modern multitasking
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 i5-6350HQ
- AMD A10-8700PRival
Mobile
- AMD FX-8800PRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-6700HQRival
Mobile
- NVIDIA GTX 950M (paired with standard CPU)Rival
Mobile Graphics
- AMD A12-9720PRival
Mobile
- Intel Core i7-7700HQAlt
Offers 8 threads and better overall performance in the same form factor.
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500UAlt
A more modern alternative with Vega graphics and better efficiency.
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
A quad-core low-power alternative with much better battery life.
- Alt
A revolutionary leap in mobile CPU and GPU efficiency and performance.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 7 3750HAlt
A newer mobile quad-core with superior integrated graphics performance.
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 unique mobile processor that combined capable quad-core CPU performance with Intel's best integrated graphics of its era, though it is now outdated.
Best for: Purchasing a heavily discounted used laptop for basic retro gaming.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i7-4710HQ or Intel Core i5-6350HQ?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-6350HQ comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-6350HQ has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-4710HQ (47 W), Intel Core i5-6350HQ (45 W).
Do Intel Core i7-4710HQ and Intel Core i5-6350HQ use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-4710HQ: Intel BGA 1364, Intel Core i5-6350HQ: Intel BGA 1440), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
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.