Core i5-2550K vs Core i7-4700HQ

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in performance ranking	1432	1628
Place by popularity	not in top-100	not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation	no data	1.65
Market segment	Laptop	Desktop processor
Series	Intel Core i7	no data
Architecture codename	Crystalwell (2013−2014)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
Release date	27 May 2013 (11 years ago)	January 2012 (12 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)	$378	$189
Current price	$877 (2.3x MSRP)	$74 (0.4x MSRP)

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores	4 (Quad-Core)	4 (Quad-Core)
Threads	8	4
Base clock speed	2.4 GHz	3.4 GHz
Boost clock speed	3.4 GHz	3.8 GHz
L1 cache	64K (per core)	64 KB (per core)
L2 cache	256K (per core)	256 KB (per core)
L3 cache	8 MB (shared)	6144 KB (shared)
Chip lithography	22 nm	32 nm
Die size	264 mm2	216 mm2
Maximum core temperature	100 °C	73 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)	100 °C	no data
Number of transistors	1,400 million	1160 million
64 bit support	+	+
Windows 11 compatibility	-	-
Unlocked multiplier	No	Yes

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration	1	1
Socket	FCBGA1364	FCLGA1155,LGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)	47 Watt	95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensions	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX2	Intel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI	+	+
AVX	+	+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)	+	+
Turbo Boost Technology	2.0	2.0
Hyper-Threading Technology	+	-
TSX	-	no data
Idle States	+	+
Thermal Monitoring	+	+
Flex Memory Access	no data	+
FDI	+	-
Fast Memory Access	no data	+
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Security technologies

Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT	+	-
EDB	+	+
Secure Key	+	no data
Identity Protection	+	+
Anti-Theft	+	no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K are enumerated here.

AMD-V	+	no data
VT-d	+	-
VT-x	+	+
EPT	+	+

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory types	DDR3	DDR3
Maximum memory size	32 GB	32 GB
Max memory channels	2	2
Maximum memory bandwidth	25.6 GB/s	21 GB/s
ECC memory support	-	-

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card	Intel HD Graphics 4600	no data
Max video memory	2 GB	no data
Quick Sync Video	+	+
Clear Video HD	+	-
Graphics max frequency	1.2 GHz	no data
InTru 3D	+	-

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported	3	no data
eDP	+	no data
DisplayPort	+	no data
HDMI	+	no data
VGA	+	no data

Graphics image quality

Maximum display resolutions supported by Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K integrated GPUs, including resolutions over different interfaces.

Max resolution over HDMI 1.4	3840x2160@30Hz	no data
Max resolution over DisplayPort	3840x2160@60Hz	no data
Max resolution over VGA	2880x1800@60Hz	no data

Graphics API support

APIs supported by Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K integrated GPUs, sometimes API versions are included.

DirectX	11.2/12	no data
OpenGL	4.3	no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K.

PCIe version	3	2.0
PCI Express lanes	16	16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.

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Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

Core i7-4700HQ outperforms Core i5-2550K by 36% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

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Pros & cons summary

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Performance score	3.64	2.67
Threads	8	4
Cost	$378	$189
Chip lithography	22 nm	32 nm
Power consumption (TDP)	47 Watt	95 Watt

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Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-4700HQ and Core i5-2550K, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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