CPU Comparison

Core i7-7820HQ vs Core i7-7920HQ

A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-7820HQ is a high-performance mobile processor launched in January 2017 for premium laptops and mobile workstations. Based on the Kaby Lake-H architecture, this 14nm quad-core CPU features Hyper-Threading, allowing it to process 8 threads simultaneously. It operates at a base clock of 2.9 GHz and boosts up to 3.9 GHz, offering strong single-threaded performance for a wide variety of applications. With a 45W TDP, it is intended for thicker laptop chassis capable of dissipating significant heat. The processor includes 8MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR4-2400 or LPDDR3 memory. It features Intel HD Graphics 630, providing reliable display outputs and hardware media decoding. The 'HQ' suffix denotes a high-performance BGA package, meaning it is soldered to the motherboard and cannot be upgraded. The i7-7820HQ was a popular choice in 2017 for high-end business laptops and upper-mid-range gaming systems, balancing cost and performance effectively.

Intel · 7th Generation Core i7
Core i7-7820HQ
4C / 8T3.9 GHz45 W
7.5
Full review
Intel · 7th Generation Core i7
Core i7-7920HQ
4C / 8T4.1 GHz45 W
7.5
Full review

Overview & Launch

Brand
Intel
Intel
Market
Mobile
Mobile
Segment
High-Performance Mobile
High-Performance Mobile
Generation
7th Gen
7th Gen
Launched
2017
2017
Status
End-of-life
End-of-life
Codename
Kaby Lake-H
Kaby Lake-H
Series
7th Generation Core i7
7th Generation Core i7
Family
Kaby Lake-H
Kaby Lake-H
Predecessor
Core i7-6820HQ
Core i7-6820HQ
Successor
Core i7-8750H
Core i7-8750H

Specifications Compared

Cores & Clocks
Cores
4
4
Threads
8
8
Base Clock
2.9 GHz
3.1 GHz
Boost Clock
3.9 GHz
4.1 GHz
Cache & Power
L3 Cache
8 MB
8 MB
TDP
45 W
45 W
Architecture
Architecture
Kaby Lake-H
Kaby Lake-H
Process Node
14nm
14nm
Memory
Memory Type
DDR4, LPDDR3
DDR4, LPDDR3
Memory Speed
DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133
DDR4-2400, LPDDR3-2133
Memory Channels
Dual (2)
Dual (2)
Max Memory
64 GB
64 GB
Platform & I/O
Socket
Intel BGA 1440
Intel BGA 1440
PCIe Version
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
PCIe Lanes
16
16
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
Unlocked
No
No

Industry Impact

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

Best CPU by Use Case

Gaming
Good
Business Productivity
Excellent
AAA Gaming
Good
Video Editing
Very Good

Target Audience

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

Strengths & Weaknesses

Core i7-7820HQ

Pros

  • Good 3.9 GHz single-core performance
  • Full 8MB L3 cache
  • Configurable TDP for laptop designs
  • Includes Quick Sync for media

Cons

  • Only 4 cores
  • High 45W TDP limits battery life
  • Soldered to motherboard
  • Cannot be overclocked
Core i7-7920HQ

Pros

  • High 4.1 GHz turbo for 2017
  • Full 8MB L3 cache
  • Configurable TDP for laptop designs
  • Includes Quick Sync for media encoding

Cons

  • Only 4 cores
  • High 45W TDP limits battery life
  • Soldered to motherboard
  • Expensive at launch ($568)

Competitors & Alternatives

Core i7-7820HQ

  • Intel Core i7-7700HQ

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-7920HQ

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-7820HK

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
  • AMD FX-9800P

    Mainstream Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-7300HQ

    Mainstream Mobile

    Rival
  • Next-gen 6-core upgrade with much better multi-threading.

    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Ryzen 7 3750H
    Alt

    Newer alternative with similar performance.

  • Intel Core i7-7660U
    Alt

    Lower power alternative for thinner laptops.

Core i7-7920HQ

  • Intel Core i7-7820HQ

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-7820HK

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
  • AMD FX-9800P

    Mainstream Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i5-7300HQ

    Mainstream Mobile

    Rival
  • Intel Core i7-7700HQ

    High-Performance Mobile

    Rival
  • Next-gen 6-core upgrade with much better multi-threading.

    Compare head-to-head
  • AMD Ryzen 7 3750H
    Alt

    Newer alternative with similar performance.

  • Intel Core i7-7660U
    Alt

    Lower power alternative for thinner laptops.

Our Verdict on Each

Core i7-7820HQSituational

A solid and popular mobile CPU in 2017, offering great performance for gaming and professional apps, though 4 cores show their age today.

Best for: Buying a used 2017 laptop for cheap

Read the full review
Core i7-7920HQSituational

A top-tier mobile CPU in 2017, offering excellent speeds, but its 45W TDP and 4-core limit make it outdated for modern heavy workloads.

Best for: Buying a cheap used 2017 laptop

Read the full review

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Core i7-7820HQ and Core i7-7920HQ use the same socket?

Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1440 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.