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Intel Core i7-7820HQ

Intel Core i7-7820HQ in 2025: Is it Worth Getting a Laptop with This Processor?

The Intel Core i7-7820HQ processor, released in 2017, is still found on the second-hand market and in some new budget devices. Despite its age, it remains relevant for certain tasks. Let’s take a look at who might find this CPU suitable in 2025 and what nuances to consider.

Architecture and Manufacturing Process: The Foundation of Performance

4 Cores and 8 Threads

The Core i7-7820HQ belongs to Intel's 7th generation (codename Kaby Lake). It is a 14-nanometer chip with 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading. Its base frequency is 2.9 GHz, and it can reach a maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 3.9 GHz. The L3 cache is 8 MB, which may seem modest by 2025 standards (modern processors have 12-24 MB), but is sufficient for basic tasks.

Integrated Graphics

The built-in GPU is the Intel HD Graphics 630 with a frequency of 350–1100 MHz. It supports 4K video (via HDMI 2.0 or DisplayPort) and DirectX 12, but is not very suited for gaming or 3D modeling. In 2025, it will be sufficient only for:

- Watching high-resolution videos.

- Working with office applications.

- Browsing with a moderate number of tabs open.

Kaby Lake Features

The Kaby Lake architecture is an optimization of the previous Skylake generation. Key improvements include:

- Increased clock speeds.

- Support for hardware decoding of HEVC 10-bit and VP9 video formats.

- Enhanced power management.

Power Consumption and TDP: Balancing Performance and Heat

The processor's TDP is 45 W, which is typical for mobile CPUs in the H series. This means:

- High heat output: Laptops with this chip require an efficient cooling system. In compact cases (like ultrabooks), overheating and throttling under load can occur.

- Limited battery life: Devices rarely last more than 4–6 hours with active use.

In comparison, modern Intel 13th generation processors (like the Core i7-13700H) offer twice as many cores (14) and 60% higher performance at the same TDP of 45 W.

Performance in Real-World Tasks

Office Work and Multimedia

- Geekbench 6: 1184 (Single-Core), 3533 (Multi-Core). This is enough for:

- Running Microsoft Office and browsers with 20+ tabs.

- Editing photos in Lightroom or Photoshop (but with delays when working with RAW files).

- Editing 1080p videos in DaVinci Resolve (rendering will be slow).

Gaming

Without a discrete graphics card (like the NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti or similar), games from 2025 are virtually inaccessible on the i7-7820HQ. Even with a GPU like the GTX 1660 Ti, expect:

- Cyberpunk 2077: 25–30 FPS on low settings (1080p).

- Fortnite: 60 FPS on medium settings.

Turbo Boost Mode

The maximum frequency of 3.9 GHz is reached temporarily (on 1-2 cores). Under full load across all cores, the frequency drops to 3.5–3.6 GHz. In laptops with poor cooling, throttling can drop the frequency to 2.9–3.1 GHz.

Use Cases: Who is the i7-7820HQ Suitable for in 2025?

1. Students and Office Workers

For working with documents, attending Zoom conferences, and studying, the processor is still relevant. Examples of laptops: Dell Latitude 5580 (price in 2025 — starting at $600 for new leftovers).

2. Freelancers in Graphics and Editing

With a discrete graphics card (like the NVIDIA Quadro P2000), the chip can handle Premiere Pro or AutoCAD, but rendering will take longer than on modern CPUs.

3. Budget-Conscious Gamers

Paired with a GPU like the NVIDIA RTX 3050, it can handle games from 2020-2022 on medium settings. Newer AAA titles will require an upgrade.

Battery Life: How to Extend Operating Time?

The average battery life of a laptop with the i7-7820HQ is 4–5 hours under mixed load. You can extend it by:

- Activating Windows power-saving mode.

- Lowering screen brightness.

- Disabling Turbo Boost through utilities (like ThrottleStop).

Intel technologies such as Speed Shift (fast frequency switching) and Enhanced Intel SpeedStep help save charge, but in 2025, they lag behind more efficient solutions from AMD (Ryzen AI) and Apple (M-series).

Comparison with Competitors

1. AMD Ryzen 5 5600H (2021)

- 6 cores, 12 threads, TDP 45 W.

- Geekbench 6: ~1400 (Single), ~6200 (Multi).

- Laptop prices: starting at $700.

Conclusion: The Ryzen 5 5600H is 40% more powerful in multi-threaded tasks.

2. Apple M2 (2022)

- 8 cores, TDP 20 W.

- Geekbench 6: ~2600 (Single), ~10000 (Multi).

- MacBook Air battery life: up to 18 hours.

Conclusion: The M2 surpasses the i7-7820HQ in all aspects except compatibility with Windows.

3. Intel Core i5-12450H (2022)

- 8 cores (4P + 4E), 12 threads.

- Geekbench 6: ~1800 (Single), ~7500 (Multi).

Conclusion: Offers better performance at the same TDP.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- Reliability and proven architecture.

- Support for Thunderbolt 3 for connecting external devices.

- Affordable prices on the second-hand market ($300–500 for used laptops).

Weaknesses:

- Outdated 14-nm manufacturing process.

- High power consumption.

- Weak integrated graphics.

Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop

1. Type of Device:

- Workstation: ASUS ProArt Studiobook (4K display, NVIDIA Quadro).

- Budget Gaming: Acer Nitro 5 with GTX 1650 (price starting from $800).

2. Things to Look Out For:

- Cooling: At least two fans and copper heat pipes.

- RAM: 16 GB DDR4.

- Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD.

3. Prices for New Devices:

Laptops with the i7-7820HQ are rare in 2025. If any new models remain, their price ranges from $600 to $900.

Final Conclusion: Who is it Suitable For?

The Core i7-7820HQ in 2025 is a choice for those who:

- Are looking for an affordable laptop for basic tasks.

- Plan to use a discrete graphics card for older games.

- Value repairability (many models with this CPU can be disassembled for SSD or RAM replacement).

Key Benefits: Budget savings, compatibility with Windows 10/11, and sufficient power for less demanding users. However, for professional tasks or the latest games, it’s better to consider modern processors like the Ryzen 5 7640HS or Intel Core i5-13420H.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

January 2017

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i7-7820HQ

Code Name

Kaby Lake

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

2.90 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

3.90 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

3.90 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

L3 Cache

8 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1440

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

14 nm

TDP

45 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

100°C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

3.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

Up to 1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8+2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR4-2400 | LPDDR3-2133 | DDR3L-1600

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

64 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

8 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

37.5 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

GPU Name

Intel® HD Graphics 630

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

350 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.10 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

64 GB

4K Support

Yes | at 60Hz

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@30Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (eDP - Integrated Flat Panel)

Max Resolution (Integrated Flat Panel) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor for a device with an integrated flat panel (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your device.

4096x2304@60Hz

Max Resolution (VGA)

N/A

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP/DP/HDMI/DVI

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

8 MB

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel Clear Video Technology

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel Flex Memory Access

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.5

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1184

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

3533

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

952

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

3506

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2125

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

7171

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Core i5-7500

1266 +6.9%

Xeon W-2133

1223 +3.3%

Core i7-7820HQ

1184

Xeon E3-1585L v5

1156 -2.4%

Core i3-6098P

1115 -5.8%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Xeon Silver 4210R

3985 +12.8%

Ryzen 5 7520U

3739 +5.8%

Core i7-7820HQ

3533

Ryzen 3 2300X

3321 -6%

Xeon E5-2450 v2

3059 -13.4%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Ryzen 5 2600X

999 +4.9%

Core i5-9300HF

972 +2.1%

Core i7-7820HQ

952

EPYC 7252

933 -2%

Core i7-4790S

919 -3.5%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Xeon E-2174G

3781 +7.8%

Core i5-8300H

3625 +3.4%

Core i7-7820HQ

3506

Ryzen 5 3400GE

3375 -3.7%

Xeon E3-1275

3251 -7.3%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Pentium G4600

2179 +2.5%

Ryzen Embedded V1756B

2151 +1.2%

Core i7-7820HQ

2125

EPYC 7702P

2102 -1.1%

Xeon E3-1265L v3

2077 -2.3%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Xeon E5-2440 v2

7655 +6.7%

Core i5-8400T

7432 +3.6%

Core i7-7820HQ

7171

Xeon E3-1285 v3

6974 -2.7%

Opteron 6380

6738 -6%