CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4288U vs Intel Core i7-4870HQ
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4288U is a 4th generation Haswell dual-core mobile processor introduced in 2013, featuring a 28W TDP and Intel HD Graphics 5100 for premium thin-and-light laptops.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Dual-core performance is sufficient for basic document editing and web browsing, but shows its age under heavy load.
Adequate for standard office tasks and light content creation.
Gaming
Can handle older or lightweight games like Minecraft or CS:GO at 720p/1080p, but struggles with modern titles.
Handles older or less demanding games well, but struggles with modern titles.
Virtualization
Limited to very light virtual machine workloads due to the dual-core design.
Can handle basic VMs but limited by 47W TDP and older architecture.
Efficiency
The 22nm process and 28W TDP provide reasonable battery life for older laptops.
22nm process is inefficient compared to modern mobile chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Dual-core CPU limits any modern inference tasks
- No dedicated AI hardware
- Slow inference times
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 5100 was good for 2013 but is obsolete today
- Lacks modern API support like DirectX 12_1
- Suitable only for retro or extremely light gaming
- Good for retro gaming
- Iris Pro eDRAM helps frame rates
- Not suitable for modern AAA games
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Good integrated graphics for its era
- 28W TDP offers better sustained performance than 15W chips
- Supports Hyper-Threading
- Solid single-thread performance for basic tasks
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores
- End-of-life and unsupported by modern OS standards
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA)
- Limited to DDR3 memory
- Weak by modern mobile standards
Pros
- Strong integrated graphics for its era
- Good multi-threaded performance
- Includes eDRAM cache
Cons
- End-of-life platform
- High TDP for mobile
- Poor efficiency by modern standards
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4288U
- AMD A10-5757MRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i7-4650URival
Mobile
- AMD A8-5557MRival
Mobile APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4200URival
Mobile
- AMD A6-5357MRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
A much faster 8th gen mobile chip with 4 cores that can be found in cheap used laptops.
- AMD Ryzen 3 3200UAlt
A budget modern mobile alternative with better Vega graphics.
A modern dual-core that massively outperforms this chip in single and multi-core.
Compare head-to-head- Alt
If looking at older MacBooks, the M1 offers a revolutionary leap in performance and battery.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
A modern hexa-core mobile chip offering immense value in the used market.
Intel Core i7-4870HQ
- AMD A10-5750MRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4700HQRival
Mobile
- AMD FX-7500Rival
Mobile
- Intel Core i5-4200HRival
Mobile
- NVIDIA Tegra K1Rival
Mobile
Vastly superior performance and efficiency in the mobile space.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HAlt
More cores, better integrated graphics, and modern architecture.
- Intel Core i7-1165G7Alt
Massive leap in single-thread speed and battery life.
- Alt
Revolutionary ARM-based efficiency and performance.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 7 5800UAlt
Excellent multi-core scaling and low power consumption.
Our Verdict on Each
A capable processor for its time that brought console-class integrated graphics to thin laptops, though it is heavily outdated by modern standards.
Best for: Purchasing a very cheap, used laptop strictly for basic web browsing or as a typewriter.
Read the full reviewAn innovative mobile processor for its time, offering strong integrated graphics, though outclassed by modern efficiency standards.
Best for: Buying a used laptop for basic computing or retro gaming at a heavily discounted price. Buying Advice for the Core i7-4870HQ in the modern context is straightforward: it is no longer viable for new builds, and purchasing a used laptop with this processor requires careful consideration. While it still offers respectable performance for basic productivity, web browsing, and media consumption, its age means it lacks support for modern instruction sets and efficiency improvements found in current-generation chips. If you are buying a used laptop heavily discounted, ensure the battery is healthy, as older systems degrade over time. For any serious gaming or content creation, a newer processor—even a budget modern one—will vastly outperform this aging chip. Avoid spending significant money on this platform today.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4288U or Intel Core i7-4870HQ?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i7-4870HQ 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 i5-4288U or Intel Core i7-4870HQ?
For gaming, the Intel Core i7-4870HQ leads with a gaming performance score of 45/100 among Intel Core i5-4288U and Intel Core i7-4870HQ.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-4288U has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4288U (28 W), Intel Core i7-4870HQ (47 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4288U and Intel Core i7-4870HQ use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4288U: Intel BGA 1168, Intel Core i7-4870HQ: Intel BGA 1364), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i7-4870HQ has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-4288U (2 cores), Intel Core i7-4870HQ (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i7-4870HQ posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i7-4870HQ (8,520). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.