Quick Verdict
A great low-power quad-core mobile CPU for 2013, offering excellent efficiency, but its lower clocks limit single-threaded performance.
Overview
Launch
2013
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
4th Gen
Market
Mobile
The Intel Core i7-4702MQ is a high-performance mobile processor launched in May 2013 as part of the Haswell lineup. This 22nm quad-core CPU features Hyper-Threading, allowing it to process 8 threads concurrently. It operates at a base frequency of 2.2 GHz and boosts up to 3.2 GHz. The key differentiator of this SKU is its 37W TDP, significantly lower than the standard 47W found on the i7-4700MQ, making it ideal for thinner gaming laptops and portable workstations. The processor utilizes the Socket G3 (rPGA946B), meaning it is socketed and potentially upgradeable. It includes 6MB of L3 cache and supports dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory. The integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600 handles basic display outputs and media decoding. The i7-4702MQ offered an excellent compromise for users who wanted quad-core multi-threaded performance without the extreme heat and battery drain of higher-wattage mobile chips.
The Core i7-4702MQ brought quad-core performance to the 37W thermal envelope. With 4 cores, 8 threads, and a 3.2 GHz turbo, it balanced power and heat for thinner laptops.
Its socketed G3 design allowed upgrades, making it a versatile chip for portable computing.
Specifications
Performance
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Haswell
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
37 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i7-4702MQ is built on the standard Haswell mobile microarchitecture, utilizing Intel's 22nm Tri-Gate process. The architecture features 4 physical cores with Hyper-Threading and 6MB of shared L3 cache. It includes the fully integrated voltage regulator (FVR), which streamlines motherboard power delivery. The processor integrates Intel HD Graphics 4600 with 20 Execution Units, dynamically scaling up to 1150 MHz. The primary architectural distinction of this SKU is its strict 37W TDP binning. To achieve this lower power envelope, Intel reduced the base clock to 2.2 GHz, ensuring the chip stays within thermal limits during sustained all-core workloads. The memory controller supports dual-channel DDR3-1600. Utilizing the Socket G3 (rPGA946B) interface, it provided a rare upgrade path in the laptop space, allowing OEMs to offer thinner chassis that still retained quad-core capabilities without resorting to extreme cooling solutions.
CPU Design
4 cores, 8 threads, locked, socketed package.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1600.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- AVX2 instruction support
- Improved HD 4600 graphics
- Integrated voltage regulator
Key Highlights
- Lower 37W TDP for thinner designs
- Solid quad-core multi-threading
- Socketed design allows upgrades
- Good balance of power and efficiency
- Low 2.2 GHz base clock
- Uses obsolete DDR3 memory
- Lacks official Windows 11 support
- HD 4600 graphics are weak
History
Launched in May 2013, the Core i7-4702MQ addressed a specific need in the mobile market: quad-core performance in a constrained thermal envelope. As gaming laptops began to shrink, the standard 47W TDP of chips like the i7-4700MQ proved too hot for thinner chassis. The 4702MQ solved this by lowering the TDP to 37W and reducing the base clock to 2.
2 GHz. This allowed manufacturers to build thinner, more portable systems that still offered 8 threads of processing power. It was a popular choice for mid-range multimedia laptops and thinner gaming rigs, bridging the gap between ultra-low voltage dual-cores and heavy desktop replacements.
The 4702MQ also retained the socketed G3 interface, a feature cherished by upgraders. It demonstrated Intel's strategy of binning silicon to fit every possible market niche, ensuring that even users with thinner laptops could access workstation-class multitasking capabilities without melting their keyboards.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- AVX2 instruction support
- Improved HD 4600 graphics
- Integrated voltage regulator
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Upgrading an old Socket G3 laptop for cheap
Avoid if…
- You need high single-core speeds
- You are buying a new laptop
- You want DDR4 memory
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The 'MQ' suffix denotes a mobile quad-core processor, but the '2' indicates a lower TDP (37W).
Uses the FC-PGA946 package.
Contains 1.4 billion transistors on a 177 mm² die.
Part number is SR15J.
Max Tcase is 100°C.
Often found in thinner gaming laptops like the Lenovo IdeaPad Y510p in some regions.
Features HD 4600 graphics with a max dynamic frequency of 1150 MHz.
Can be swapped for an i7-4700MQ or 4800MQ if cooling allows.
Supports Intel Wireless Display (WiDi).
Launched at $383.
People Also Ask
Is the i7-4702MQ good for gaming?
It can handle older games fine, but its lower clock speeds will bottleneck modern GPUs more than the 4700MQ.
Can the i7-4702MQ be overclocked?
No, it has a locked multiplier.
What is the TDP of the i7-4702MQ?
It has a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of 37 Watts, lower than the standard 47W mobile quad-cores.
Does the i7-4702MQ have integrated graphics?
Yes, it includes Intel HD Graphics 4600.
What socket does the i7-4702MQ use?
It uses the Intel Socket G3 (rPGA946B).
Does it support Hyper-Threading?
Yes, it has 4 cores and 8 threads.
What memory does it support?
It supports dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory.
What is the max turbo of the i7-4702MQ?
The maximum turbo boost is 3.2 GHz.
Can I upgrade the i7-4702MQ in my laptop?
Yes, it uses Socket G3, so it can be upgraded to a faster MQ chip if cooling allows.
Does it support vPro?
Yes, it supports Intel vPro enterprise features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base clock of the i7-4702MQ?
The base clock is 2.2 GHz.
Does it support PCIe 3.0?
Yes, it supports 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0.
What is the L3 cache size?
It has 6 MB of L3 cache.
What generation is the i7-4702MQ?
It is a 4th Generation Intel Core processor (Haswell).
What is the part number?
The part number is SR15J.
What is the max graphics dynamic frequency?
The HD 4600 graphics can boost up to 1150 MHz.
What is the max memory bandwidth?
The max memory bandwidth is 25.6 GB/s.
Does it support AVX2?
Yes, it supports AVX2 instructions.
Can it run Windows 11?
Officially unsupported, but workarounds exist.
Is it good for video editing?
It is decent for 1080p editing, but its lower clocks make it slower than the 4700MQ.