Comparing: Intel Core i7 720QM vs Intel Core i7 7700K

Specification Comparison Table

This specification comparison presents technical details of several devices or components to help you understand the key differences between each option. Use this table as a reference to determine which device best suits your needs.

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About Hardware Intel Core i7 720QM

The Intel Core i7-720QM, launched in Q3 2009, was one of the first mobile quad-core processors to feature Intel's Nehalem microarchitecture, specifically the Clarksfield variant. Targeted at high-performance laptops, such as gaming machines and mobile workstations, the i7-720QM brought 4 physical cores and 8 threads to the mobile platform, thanks to Hyper-Threading Technology providing a significant boost in multi-threaded workloads like video editing, 3D rendering, and other professional-grade applications. The processor runs at a base clock speed of 1.6 GHz, but it can dynamically increase up to 2.8 GHz using Intel Turbo Boost, depending on thermal headroom and power availability.

Manufactured using a 45nm process, the i7-720QM has a TDP of 45W, which is quite high by today's mobile CPU standards. This thermal demand necessitated more robust cooling solutions in laptops that featured the chip. Unlike modern CPUs, the i7-720QM does not come with integrated graphics, which means systems based on this processor require a dedicated GPU often from AMD or NVIDIA for graphics processing and display output. As such, it was typically paired with mid-to-high-end discrete graphics cards in its time, making it a solid choice for gaming and multimedia laptops in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

While the Core i7-720QM was a powerhouse during its release, its performance and efficiency are significantly outpaced by modern CPUs built on smaller nodes and with higher IPC (Instructions Per Clock). Nevertheless, legacy laptops using the i7-720QM can still be viable for basic computing tasks like web browsing, document editing, or watching videos especially if paired with an SSD upgrade and increased RAM. Users running Windows 10 on such systems may experience some limitations, but with proper optimization and lightweight software, the CPU can still deliver a usable experience in non-demanding environments.

Hardware Detail:

Device: HP Pavilion dv3-4054TX
RAM: 4GB DDR3 Single Channel
OS: Windows 7, Windows 10

Tuesday, 19 July 2022 19:48:49 | Update: 4 days ago

About Hardware Intel Core i7 7700K

The Intel Core i7-7700K, launched in early 2017, is a high-performance desktop processor from the 7th generation Kaby Lake family. Built on the 14nm process, the i7-7700K features 4 physical cores and 8 threads, thanks to Hyper-Threading Technology, and is targeted at enthusiasts, gamers, and power users. It operates at a base frequency of 4.2 GHz and can boost up to 4.5 GHz via Intel Turbo Boost, delivering excellent single-threaded performance one of the highest at the time of its release.

As part of Intel’s “K” series, the Core i7-7700K has an unlocked multiplier, making it ideal for overclocking on compatible Z-series motherboards. However, with a TDP of 91W, the processor demands an effective cooling solution, especially when overclocked beyond its stock speeds. Users typically pair this CPU with aftermarket air or liquid coolers to ensure thermal stability under heavy workloads or gaming sessions.

The processor includes Intel HD Graphics 630, which supports 4K output at 60Hz and is sufficient for basic tasks like web browsing, video playback, and office work. However, for serious gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads, a discrete graphics card is still necessary, especially when paired with a high-refresh-rate monitor or demanding software.

In terms of real-world performance, the i7-7700K remains capable even today for 1080p and 1440p gaming, general productivity, and creative tasks. It delivers solid frame rates in many modern titles when used with a modern GPU, and it handles applications like Adobe Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and coding environments reasonably well. However, due to its limited core count by today’s standards and lack of PCIe 4.0 support, it has started to show its age in multi-threaded and next-gen workloads.

Despite being surpassed by newer Intel and AMD CPUs with more cores and better efficiency, the i7-7700K still holds value in many mid-range desktop setups, especially for users who already own an LGA 1151 system and want to maximize performance without a full platform upgrade.

Thursday, 23 June 2022 07:42:37 | Update: 4 days ago