Quick Verdict
A solid and popular mobile CPU in 2017, offering great performance for gaming and professional apps, though 4 cores show their age today.
Overview
Launch
2017
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
7th Gen
Market
Mobile
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.
The Core i7-7820HQ was a staple in 2017 high-end laptops. With 4 cores, 8 threads, and a 3.9 GHz turbo, it balanced price and performance well.
Its 45W TDP requires active cooling, and it includes 8MB of cache and HD 630 graphics for professional workloads.
Specifications
Performance
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Kaby Lake-H
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
8 MB
L3 Cache
45 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The Core i7-7820HQ is built on the Kaby Lake-H microarchitecture, utilizing Intel's 14nm+ process. It features 4 physical cores with Hyper-Threading, allowing 8 concurrent threads. The architecture includes a full 8MB of shared L3 cache, which is crucial for maintaining performance in professional applications and large datasets. The integrated memory controller supports both dual-channel DDR4-2400 and LPDDR3-2133, giving manufacturers flexibility between performance and power efficiency. The processor features Intel HD Graphics 630, which operates dynamically between 350 MHz and 1100 MHz, providing hardware decoding for 4K media. Designed for the BGA 1440 socket, it is permanently soldered to the motherboard. The 45W TDP is configurable down to 35W, allowing it to be utilized in a variety of laptop form factors, though sustained performance will be lower in thinner devices due to thermal constraints.
CPU Design
4 cores, 8 threads, locked, BGA package.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR4-2400 or LPDDR3-2133.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes for mobile GPUs.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier; OEM controls power limits.
- Higher boost clocks
- Refined 14nm+ process
Key Highlights
- Good 3.9 GHz single-core performance
- Full 8MB L3 cache
- Configurable TDP for laptop designs
- Includes Quick Sync for media
- Only 4 cores
- High 45W TDP limits battery life
- Soldered to motherboard
- Cannot be overclocked
History
Launched in January 2017, the Core i7-7820HQ was a workhorse mobile processor for Intel's Kaby Lake H-series. Positioned as a premium tier chip just below the extreme 7920HQ, it offered a 3.9 GHz turbo and a full 8MB of L3 cache.
The 7820HQ became incredibly popular among business and prosumer laptops, most notably powering the 2017 Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad P-series. It provided an excellent balance of single-threaded burst performance and 45W thermal manageability, making it ideal for systems that needed to handle CAD work, software development, and photo editing on the go. However, as with the rest of the Kaby Lake mobile lineup, its 4-core architecture quickly became outdated.
When Intel released the 8th Gen 8750H just a year later with 6 cores, the 7820HQ's value plummeted. Still, for many users, laptops equipped with this chip served reliably for years, bridging the gap between portable efficiency and desktop-class productivity.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Higher boost clocks
- Refined 14nm+ process
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Buying a used 2017 laptop for cheap
Avoid if…
- You need modern multi-core performance
- You want long battery life
- You are buying a new laptop
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It was one of the most popular CPUs for 2017 Dell XPS 15 models.
Has an all-core turbo of 3.5 GHz.
Configurable TDP-down is 35W.
Launched at $378.
Supports both DDR4 and LPDDR3 memory.
Uses the FC-BGA1440 package.
Integrated graphics boost up to 1100 MHz.
Max Tj is 100°C.
Supports Intel vPro enterprise features.
Features Intel Turbo Boost 2.0.
People Also Ask
Is the i7-7820HQ good for gaming?
Yes, it performs well for older games, but 4 cores will struggle with modern AAA titles.
What is the difference between i7-7820HQ and i7-7700HQ?
The 7820HQ has slightly higher clocks (2.9/3.9 GHz vs 2.8/3.8 GHz) and 8MB cache instead of 6MB.
Can the i7-7820HQ be overclocked?
No, the multiplier is locked. Only the HK series can be overclocked.
What is the TDP of the i7-7820HQ?
It has a base TDP of 45 Watts, configurable down to 35W.
Does the i7-7820HQ have integrated graphics?
Yes, it includes Intel HD Graphics 630.
Can I upgrade the i7-7820HQ in my laptop?
No, it is soldered to the motherboard (BGA 1440).
What is the max turbo of the i7-7820HQ?
The maximum turbo boost is 3.9 GHz.
Does it support Hyper-Threading?
Yes, it has 4 cores and 8 threads.
What memory does it support?
It supports DDR4-2400 and LPDDR3-2133.
Does it support vPro?
Yes, it supports Intel vPro enterprise features.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the all-core turbo?
The all-core turbo is 3.5 GHz.
Does it support PCIe 4.0?
No, it supports PCIe 3.0.
Can it run Windows 11?
Officially unsupported, but workarounds exist.
What is the Tjmax?
The maximum operating temperature is 100°C.
What is the L3 cache size?
It has 8 MB of L3 cache.
Does it support Optane Memory?
Yes, it supports Intel Optane Memory.
What laptops use the i7-7820HQ?
It was popular in the 2017 Dell XPS 15 and Lenovo ThinkPad P51.
What socket does it use?
It uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket.
Is the i7-7820HQ unlocked?
No, it has a locked multiplier.
Is it good for video editing?
Yes, it handles 1080p editing well, though 4K will be slower than modern CPUs.