Intel Core i7-4770T
Intel Core i7-4770T: Review and Relevance in 2025
Haswell Architecture, 4 Cores, 8 Threads, TDP 45W — Is this processor worth considering today?
Key Specifications: What Does the i7-4770T Offer?
The Intel Core i7-4770T, released in 2013, remains a curious specimen even in 2025. Built on a 22nm process and Haswell architecture, it features 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. Clock speeds range from 2.5 GHz (base) to 3.7 GHz (Turbo Boost), and 8MB of L3 cache provides quick access to data.
Key Features:
- Energy Efficiency: With a TDP of 45W, it is one of the "coolest" in the Haswell lineup.
- Integrated Intel HD 4600 Graphics — suitable for basic tasks and light gaming.
- Support for AVX2 Instructions — accelerates computations in specialized applications.
Performance:
According to Geekbench 6 (2025), the i7-4770T scores 1088 points in single-threaded tests and 2713 in multi-threaded tests. In comparison, the modern budget Ryzen 5 7500F (2024) demonstrates scores of 1800+ and 7000+ respectively. However, for office tasks and light multitasking, the 4770T is still relevant.
Compatible Motherboards: What to Choose?
Socket: LGA 1150 — an outdated socket, and new boards are not being produced. In 2025, finding a new motherboard is challenging, but on the secondary market, models with chipsets can still be found:
- H81/B85 — budget options without overclocking support (for example, ASUS H81M-K, price in 2014: $60, currently leftover stock — from $100).
- Z87/Z97 — high-end chipsets with the possibility of overclocking (relevant for the K-series, but the 4770T has a locked multiplier).
Advice: If planning a build based on the 4770T, look for used boards with a warranty. New instances, if still available, are sold at inflated prices ($120–200) and do not justify the investment.
Supported Memory: DDR3 or DDR4?
The i7-4770T works only with DDR3 (up to 1600 MHz without overclocking). The maximum memory capacity is 32GB (4 slots of 8GB). By 2025, DDR3 is outdated, but new modules are still available:
- 8GB DDR3-1600 — $25–35;
- 16GB DDR3-1600 — $50–65.
Recommendations:
- For an office PC, 8–16GB is sufficient.
- For a media center or light gaming — 16GB.
- Choose memory with low timings (e.g., CL9) for a slight performance boost.
Power Supply: How Many Watts Are Needed?
With a TDP of 45W, the i7-4770T is not demanding on the PSU. Even considering a discrete video card like the GTX 1650 (TDP 75W), a 400–500W power supply is sufficient (for example, Corsair CX450 — $55).
Scenarios:
- Without a graphics card: 300W is enough (but such PSUs are rarely found for sale).
- With a graphics card: 450–550W (leeway for upgrades).
Important: Modern PSUs with an 80+ Bronze/Gold certification will improve system energy efficiency.
Pros and Cons of the i7-4770T in 2025
Pros:
- Low power consumption — suitable for compact PCs and media centers.
- Sufficient performance for basic tasks (office work, web browsing, 4K video).
- The presence of HT and 8 threads — an advantage over 4-thread i5 CPUs from the same generation.
Cons:
- Outdated architecture — lagging in IPC by 40–50% compared to modern CPUs.
- No support for DDR4/PCIe 4.0 — limitations for upgrades.
- Integrated HD 4600 graphics are weak for modern gaming (CS:GO — 40–50 FPS on low settings).
Use Cases: Where is the Processor Still Relevant?
1. Office PCs and Education: Working with documents, browsers, Zoom.
2. Home Theater: Streaming 4K video (supports HDMI 1.4), music, streaming.
3. Light Gaming: Games up to 2015 (Skyrim, GTA V on medium settings) or cloud gaming (GeForce Now).
4. Server Tasks: NAS, VPN server, home automation.
Practical Example: A user built a media center with the 4770T + 16GB DDR3 + 500GB SSD. The system consumes less than 100W and handles 4K HDR through Plex.
Comparison with Competitors
1. AMD FX-8350 (2012): 8 cores, but weak single-threaded performance. Falls short in energy efficiency (TDP 125W).
2. Intel Core i5-10400 (2020): 6 cores/12 threads, DDR4 support. 50% faster in multitasking but requires a new platform.
3. Ryzen 5 5500 (2022): 6 cores/12 threads, 7nm process. Price for a new unit — $120, vastly outperforms the 4770T.
Conclusion: In 2025, the 4770T falls behind even budget newcomers, but it can be a temporary solution for a limited budget.
Building Tips for a PC with the i7-4770T
1. Motherboard: Choose models with USB 3.0 and SATA III (e.g., Gigabyte B85M-D3H).
2. Cooling: The boxed cooler is sufficient, but for quieter operation, consider the DeepCool Gammaxx 400 ($20).
3. Storage: Be sure to use an SSD (Crucial MX500 500GB — $45) — this will speed up the system.
4. BIOS Update: Check the firmware version for compatibility with the processor.
Final Conclusion: Who is the i7-4770T Suitable For?
This processor is worth considering only in two cases:
1. Budget build from used components: If you need a PC for $150–200 for basic tasks.
2. Upgrading an old system: Replacing a weaker CPU (e.g., Pentium G3220) without changing the platform.
Alternative: For the same $200–250, you could build a system based on Ryzen 3 4100 (2022) + A520 + 8GB DDR4, which would be more powerful and modern.
The Intel Core i7-4770T in 2025 is a relic, but for niche tasks, it can still be useful. However, for serious work or gaming, it is better to choose something newer.