CPU Comparison

Intel Core i7-4770K vs Intel Core i7-2700K

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-4770K is an unlocked desktop processor launched in June 2013 as the flagship of the 4th Generation Haswell family. Built on the 22nm process, it features 4 cores and 8 threads, operating at a base clock of 3.5 GHz and boosting up to 3.9 GHz. The 'K' suffix denotes an unlocked multiplier, making it a favorite among overclocking enthusiasts. It includes 8MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory. With an 84W TDP, it fits into the LGA 1150 socket. The processor integrates Intel HD Graphics 4600, which can also be overclocked. While it was a top-tier gaming CPU in its era, the 4770K gained notoriety for running hot due to Intel's use of poor thermal paste under the integrated heat spreader (IHS), limiting extreme overclocking. Despite this, it remains a legendary chip that provided immense performance for gamers and enthusiasts before being superseded by the i7-4790K.

Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-4770K
4C / 8T3.9 GHz84 W
6.5
Full review
Top pick
Intel · Core i7
Intel Core i7-2700K
4C / 8T3.9 GHz95 W
8.5
Full review

The Bottom Line

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Desktop
Desktop
Segment
Desktop
Desktop
Generation
4th Gen Core i7
2nd Generation
Launched
2013
2011
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Haswell
Sandy Bridge
Series
Core i7
Core i7
Family
Haswell
Sandy Bridge
Predecessor
Intel Core i7-3770K
Intel Core i7-2600K
Successor
Intel Core i7-4790K
Intel Core i7-3770K

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
4
Threads
8
8
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.5 GHz
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz
3.9 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
8 MB
8 MB
TDP
84 W
95 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 Socket 1150
LGA 1155
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 2.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
Yes
Yes

Performance Compared

Productivity

Intel Core i7-4770K40

Okay for basic tasks, but slow for modern rendering.

Intel Core i7-2700KBest45

Adequate for basic office tasks and web browsing, but slow for modern rendering.

Gaming

Intel Core i7-4770K25

Bottlenecks modern GPUs significantly.

Intel Core i7-2700KBest40

Struggles with modern AAA titles but handles older or esports games fine.

Virtualization

Intel Core i7-4770K35

Limited by 4 cores.

Intel Core i7-2700KBest50

Can handle light VMs with 8 threads, but lacks modern virtualization features.

Efficiency

Intel Core i7-4770K20

84W TDP is inefficient by modern standards.

Intel Core i7-2700KBest30

32nm process is highly inefficient by modern standards, drawing significant power.

Specialized Performance

AI / ML

Intel Core i7-4770KNone
  • No AI hardware
  • Slow CPU inference
Intel Core i7-2700KNone
  • No AI acceleration hardware
  • Extremely slow for any AI workloads

Content Creation

Intel Core i7-4770KPoor
Basic PhotoshopLight 1080p Editing
Intel Core i7-2700KPoor
Basic Photo EditingLight 1080p Video Editing

Gaming

Intel Core i7-4770KPoor
  • Bottlenecks modern GPUs
  • Okay for older games
  • Lacks modern security features
Intel Core i7-2700KFair
  • Bottlenecks modern GPUs
  • Suitable for 1080p gaming with older GPUs
  • Lacks AVX2 support for newest games

Industry Impact

Gaming
High
High
Workstations
Moderate
Moderate
Content Creation
High
Moderate
Virtualization
Moderate
Moderate

Best CPU by Use Case

Web Browsing
Good
Office Productivity
Very Good
1080p Video Playback
Excellent
Light Gaming
Fair
Programming
Good
Retro Gaming
Excellent
General Productivity
Good
Overclocking Projects
Excellent
Home Server
Very Good
Modern AAA Gaming
Poor

Target Audience

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

Strengths & Weaknesses

Intel Core i7-4770K

Pros

  • Unlocked for overclocking
  • Was a top gaming CPU in 2013
  • Supports AVX2
  • 4 cores with Hyper-Threading

Cons

  • Infamous for poor thermal paste
  • Runs hot under load
  • No Windows 11 support
  • End-of-life platform
Intel Core i7-2700K

Pros

  • Legendary overclocking headroom
  • Solid IPC improvements over previous gen
  • Included integrated graphics (HD 3000)
  • Durable and long-lasting architecture
  • Large 8MB L3 cache

Cons

  • High power consumption by modern standards
  • Lacks AVX2 instructions
  • End-of-life platform (LGA 1155)
  • No native NVMe boot support
  • Integrated graphics are severely outdated

Competitors & Alternatives

Intel Core i7-4770K

Intel Core i7-2700K

Our Verdict on Each

A legendary overclocking CPU that brought great performance, but its thermal issues and age make it obsolete today.

Best for: The Core i7-4770K is a legendary processor that should only be considered today if you are maintaining an existing LGA 1150 system. It still offers decent performance for basic computing and older games, and its unlocked multiplier allows for some overclocking fun if you have adequate cooling. However, it is not recommended for new builds. The lack of Windows 11 support, high power consumption, and outdated instruction sets make it a poor choice for modern workloads. If you are building a budget PC, modern processors like the Intel Core i3-12100F offer vastly superior performance, efficiency, and an upgrade path. Avoid buying this CPU unless it is nearly free and you need to keep an old system running.

Read the full review

A legendary CPU that still holds up for basic tasks, offering incredible historical value and overclocking fun.

Best for: The Core i7-2700K is no longer recommended for new PC builds due to its age and lack of modern feature support, such as native NVMe storage booting and modern PCIe standards. However, for users already operating on an LGA 1155 motherboard looking to squeeze more life out of an older system, finding a used 2700K can be a highly cost-effective upgrade path. It still handles basic computing, media consumption, and older game titles reasonably well. If you are building a system from scratch, modern alternatives offer vastly superior power efficiency, single-core speed, and platform features. Collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts might specifically value the chip for its historical significance, but mainstream buyers should look toward newer generations for a balanced, future-proof computing experience.

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Intel Core i7-4770K or Intel Core i7-2700K?

Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-2700K comes out ahead with a score of 8.5/10. 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 i7-4770K or Intel Core i7-2700K?

For gaming, the Intel Core i7-2700K leads with a gaming performance score of 40/100 among Intel Core i7-4770K and Intel Core i7-2700K.

Which uses less power?

The Intel Core i7-4770K has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i7-4770K (84 W), Intel Core i7-2700K (95 W).

Do Intel Core i7-4770K and Intel Core i7-2700K use the same socket?

No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i7-4770K: Intel Socket 1150, Intel Core i7-2700K: LGA 1155), so each needs a compatible motherboard.

Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?

The Intel Core i7-2700K posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-2700K (5,400). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.