CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-4712HQ vs Core i7-4712MQ

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-4712HQ is a high-performance mobile processor launched in Q2 2014 based on the 22nm Haswell microarchitecture. Designed for premium laptops and mobile workstations, it features 4 physical cores and 8 threads thanks to Intel's Hyper-Threading technology. Operating at a base clock of 2.3 GHz and capable of turbo boosting up to 3.3 GHz, it delivers robust multi-threaded performance for its generation. The processor includes 6MB of shared L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory at 1600 MT/s. With a thermal design power of 37 watts, it strikes a balance between performance and power consumption, making it suitable for thicker gaming laptops and portable workstations. It integrates Intel HD Graphics 4600, which handles basic multimedia tasks and display output. While it has been succeeded by numerous generations of newer architectures, the i7-4712HQ was a capable chip in its era, providing ample power for video editing, 3D rendering, and heavy multitasking on the go. Today, it is considered end-of-life but remains a functional option for legacy computing.

Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-4712HQ
4C / 8T3.3 GHz37 W
6
Full review
Top pick
Intel · 4th Generation Core i7
Core i7-4712MQ
4C / 8T3.3 GHz37 W
7
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile
High-Performance Mobile
Generation
4th Gen Core i7
4th Gen
Launched
2014
2013
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Haswell
Haswell
Series
Core i7
4th Generation Core i7
Family
Haswell
Haswell
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-3632QM
Core i7-4702MQ
Successor
Intel Core i7-5700HQ
N/A

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
4
Threads
8
8
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
2.3 GHz
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
3.3 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
6 MB
6 MB
TDP
37 W
37 W
Architecture
Architecture
Haswell
Haswell
Process Node
22nm
22nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3
Memory Speed
1600 MT/s
1600 MT/s
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
32 GB
32 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1364
Socket G3
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i7-4712HQ35

Can handle basic office tasks but struggles with heavy multitasking.

Core i7-4712MQ

Gaming

Intel Core i7-4712HQ20

Severely bottlenecked by modern standards; only suitable for very old or 2D games.

Core i7-4712MQ

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-4712HQ30

Limited by 4 cores and older architecture for modern VMs.

Core i7-4712MQ

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-4712HQ25

22nm process is highly inefficient compared to modern 10nm or 14nm chips.

Core i7-4712MQ

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-4712HQNone
  • No dedicated AI hardware
  • Lacks modern instruction sets for AI inference
Core i7-4712MQ

No data

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-4712HQPoor
Basic 1080p Video Editing (Legacy)Photoshop (Light)
Core i7-4712MQ

No data

Gaming

Intel Core i7-4712HQPoor
  • Relies on HD 4600 or older discrete GPUs
  • Cannot run modern AAA titles
  • Suitable only for legacy games
Core i7-4712MQ

No data

Industry Impact

Gaming
Moderate
Moderate
Workstations
Moderate
Moderate
Content Creation
Moderate
Moderate
Virtualization
Low
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

Web Browsing
Good
Office Productivity
Good
1080p Video Playback
Very Good
Light Gaming
Fair
Programming
Fair
Gaming on the go
Good
Video Editing
Good

Target Audience

Gamers
Targeted
Content Creators
Targeted
Developers
Targeted
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Students
Targeted

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i7-4712HQ

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
Core i7-4712MQ

Pros

  • Lower 37W TDP for thinner designs
  • Solid quad-core multi-threading
  • Socketed design allows upgrades
  • Good balance of power and efficiency

Cons

  • Low 2.3 GHz base clock
  • Uses obsolete DDR3 memory
  • Lacks official Windows 11 support
  • HD 4600 graphics are weak

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i7-4712HQ

  • AMD A10-5750M

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-4700MQ

    Mobile

    Rival
  • AMD A8-5557M

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-4200M

    Mobile

    Rival
  • AMD A10-5745M

    Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-1165G7
    Alt

    Vastly superior efficiency and performance.

  • AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
    Alt

    Budget modern alternative with 6 cores.

  • Modern budget laptop chip.

    Compare head-to-head
  • Unmatched battery life for basic use.

    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Ryzen 7 5700U
    Alt

    Excellent multi-core performance for the price.

Core i7-4712MQ

  • AMD FX-7600P

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-4702MQ

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-4710MQ

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-4712HQ

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD A10-5745M

    Ultra-Low Power Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-4720HQ
    Alt

    Next-gen Broadwell soldered alternative.

Our Verdict on Each

A 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 review
Core i7-4712MQSituational

A great low-power quad-core mobile CPU for 2014, offering excellent efficiency, but its lower clocks limit single-threaded performance.

Best for: Upgrading an old Socket G3 laptop for cheap

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i7-4712HQ or Core i7-4712MQ?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-4712MQ 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 i7-4712HQ or Core i7-4712MQ?

For gaming, the Intel Core i7-4712HQ leads with a gaming performance score of 20/100 among Intel Core i7-4712HQ and Core i7-4712MQ.

Do Intel Core i7-4712HQ and Core i7-4712MQ use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-4712HQ: Intel BGA 1364, Core i7-4712MQ: Socket G3), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Core i7-4712MQ posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-4712MQ (0). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.