CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-4712HQ vs Core i7-2820QM (BGA)

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 i7
Core i7-2820QM (BGA)
4C / 8T3.4 GHz45 W
6.2
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
Mobile
Mobile
Generation
4th Gen Core i7
2nd Gen (Sandy Bridge)
Launched
2014
2011
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Haswell
Sandy Bridge
Series
Core i7
Core i7
Family
Haswell
Sandy Bridge
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-3632QM
Intel Core i7-940XM
Successor
Intel Core i7-5700HQ
Intel Core i7-3720QM

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
4
Threads
8
8
Base Clock
2.3 GHz
2.3 GHz
Boost Clock
3.3 GHz
3.4 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
6 MB
8 MB
TDP
37 W
45 W
Architecture
Architecture
Haswell
Sandy Bridge
Process Node
22nm
32nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR3
DDR3
Memory Speed
1600 MT/s
DDR3-1333
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
32 GB
32 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1364
Intel BGA 1224
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 2.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i7-4712HQBest35

Can handle basic office tasks but struggles with heavy multitasking.

Core i7-2820QM (BGA)32

8MB cache helps, but 4 cores limit modern productivity suites.

Gaming

Intel Core i7-4712HQ20

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

Core i7-2820QM (BGA)Best22

Not suitable for modern gaming; handles old casual games fine.

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-4712HQ30

Limited by 4 cores and older architecture for modern VMs.

Core i7-2820QM (BGA)Best42

VT-x and VT-d support basic VM tasks.

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-4712HQ25

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

Core i7-2820QM (BGA)Best30

45W TDP is high for thin laptops, leading to heat.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-4712HQNone
  • No dedicated AI hardware
  • Lacks modern instruction sets for AI inference
Core i7-2820QM (BGA)None
  • No NPU or AI acceleration
  • Lacks modern instruction sets

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-4712HQPoor
Basic 1080p Video Editing (Legacy)Photoshop (Light)
Core i7-2820QM (BGA)Poor
Basic Photo EditingSD 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
Core i7-2820QM (BGA)Poor
  • HD 3000 is obsolete
  • Cannot run modern 3D titles
  • Fine for 2D indie games

Industry Impact

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

Best CPU by Use Case

Web Browsing
Good
Acceptable
Office Productivity
Good
1080p Video Playback
Very Good
Good
Light Gaming
Fair
Poor
Programming
Fair
Office Applications
Good
Virtualization
Acceptable

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
Core i7-2820QM (BGA)

Pros

  • 8MB L3 cache
  • Good performance for 2011
  • Hyper-Threading
  • Turbo Boost

Cons

  • Soldered BGA socket
  • 45W TDP
  • Obsolete integrated graphics
  • No Windows 11 support

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 i7-2820QM (BGA)

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 strong mobile CPU in 2011 with a large cache, but limited by its soldered design and age.

Best for: Maintaining a legacy laptop

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i7-4712HQ or Core i7-2820QM (BGA)?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-2820QM (BGA) comes out ahead with a score of 6.2/10. 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 i7-2820QM (BGA)?

For gaming, the Core i7-2820QM (BGA) leads with a gaming performance score of 22/100 among Intel Core i7-4712HQ and Core i7-2820QM (BGA).

Which uses less power?

The Intel Core i7-4712HQ has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-4712HQ (37 W), Core i7-2820QM (BGA) (45 W).

Do Intel Core i7-4712HQ and Core i7-2820QM (BGA) use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-4712HQ: Intel BGA 1364, Core i7-2820QM (BGA): Intel BGA 1224), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Core i7-2820QM (BGA) posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Core i7-2820QM (BGA) (5,400). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.