CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-4712HQ vs Intel Core i5-4330M

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 · Core i5
Intel Core i5-4330M
2C / 4T3.8 GHz37 W
6.5
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile
Mobile
Generation
4th Gen Core i7
4th Gen Core i5
Launched
2014
2013
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Haswell
Haswell
Series
Core i7
Core i5
Family
Haswell
4th Generation
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-3632QM
Intel Core i5-3340M
Successor
Intel Core i7-5700HQ
Intel Core i5-4210M

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
2
Threads
8
4
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
2.8 GHz
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
3.8 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
6 MB
3 MB
TDP
37 W
37 W
Architecture
Architecture
Haswell
Haswell
Process Node
22nm
22nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3
Memory Speed
1600 MT/s
DDR3-1600
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
32 GB
32 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1364
Intel 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.

Intel Core i5-4330MBest52

The high 3.8 GHz turbo boost provides excellent single-threaded responsiveness for everyday tasks.

Gaming

Intel Core i7-4712HQ20

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

Intel Core i5-4330MBest46

HD 5000 graphics allow for playable framerates in older titles at 720p or 1080p on low settings.

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-4712HQ30

Limited by 4 cores and older architecture for modern VMs.

Intel Core i5-4330MBest45

Can run light VMs with VT-d support, but dual-core limits multitasking.

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-4712HQ25

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

Intel Core i5-4330MBest55

37W TDP is standard for mobile but runs warmer than modern 15W chips.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-4712HQNone
  • No dedicated AI hardware
  • Lacks modern instruction sets for AI inference
Intel Core i5-4330MPoor
  • No AI hardware acceleration
  • Dual-core CPU limits inference performance

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-4712HQPoor
Basic 1080p Video Editing (Legacy)Photoshop (Light)
Intel Core i5-4330MPoor
Basic PhotoshopAudio EditingLight 1080p Video Editing

Gaming

Intel Core i7-4712HQPoor
  • Relies on HD 4600 or older discrete GPUs
  • Cannot run modern AAA titles
  • Suitable only for legacy games
Intel Core i5-4330MModerate
  • Comparable to an entry-level discrete mobile GPU
  • Can handle older games like Bioshock Infinite at low settings
  • Not suitable for modern AAA titles

Industry Impact

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

Best CPU by Use Case

Web Browsing
Good
Excellent
Office Productivity
Good
Very Good
1080p Video Playback
Very Good
Light Gaming
Fair
Moderate
Programming
Fair
Code Compilation
Good
Media Playback
Excellent

Target Audience

Gamers
Content Creators
Developers
Workstation Users
Streamers
Office / Productivity
Targeted
Targeted
Students
Targeted
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
Intel Core i5-4330M

Pros

  • High 3.8 GHz turbo boost for excellent single-threaded tasks
  • Socketed design allows for upgrades
  • HD 5000 graphics are capable for media
  • Supports PCIe 3.0

Cons

  • Only 2 physical cores
  • 37W TDP runs warm
  • End-of-life and outdated
  • Locked multiplier

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.

Intel Core i5-4330M

  • AMD A10-5750M

    Mobile APU

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-4702MQ

    Mobile

    Rival
  • AMD A8-5550M

    Mobile APU

    Rival
  • Compare head-to-head
  • AMD A6-5350M

    Mobile APU

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-4700MQ
    Alt

    A quad-core chip for the same Socket G3, offering a massive upgrade in multi-core performance.

  • Intel Core i5-8250U
    Alt

    A much faster 8th gen quad-core mobile chip that runs cooler and uses less power.

  • AMD Ryzen 5 2500U
    Alt

    A modern mobile quad-core with Vega graphics that vastly outperforms this chip.

  • A modern dual-core mobile chip that obliterates this i5 in performance.

    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
    Alt

    A budget desktop alternative if moving away from old mobile platforms.

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

A solid step up from the 4300M, offering slightly higher clock speeds and strong single-core performance for its era, though obsolete by modern standards.

Best for: Upgrading an old Socket G3 laptop from a Celeron or Pentium to this i5 for cheap.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i7-4712HQ or Intel Core i5-4330M?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4330M 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 i7-4712HQ or Intel Core i5-4330M?

For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4330M leads with a gaming performance score of 46/100 among Intel Core i7-4712HQ and Intel Core i5-4330M.

Do Intel Core i7-4712HQ and Intel Core i5-4330M use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-4712HQ: Intel BGA 1364, Intel Core i5-4330M: Intel Socket G3), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which has more cores?

The Intel Core i7-4712HQ has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i7-4712HQ (4 cores), Intel Core i5-4330M (2 cores).