Intel Core i5 7300HQ Review | 78 Data compared

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  • Avg. price in UK: ~£220
  • Avg. price in US: ~$250
  • PassMark benchmark result: 5081
  • N. of physical cores: 4
  • CPU boost clock speed: 3.5 GHz

Intel Core i5 7300HQ review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among processors and if it is worth buying.

4.3

Overall score

What it is: An overall evaluation of the processor's quality, based on technical analyses and user reviews.

When it matters: When you need a quick reference to identify the best processors on the market.

Score components:

90.0%

4.3

Technical Score

10.0%

?

User score

Poor
4.3

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

3.6

Performance

18.0%

4.7

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

4.4

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

6.6

Power & Thermal

4.0%

7.9

Platform

1.0%

6.7

Integrated Graphics

Poor
?

User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

?

User reviews

30.0%

?

Popularity

  • 2.7
    Gaming

    Score components:

    30.0%

    2.9

    PassMark single-core benchmark score

    25.0%

    3.1

    Geekbench 6 single-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    3.1

    CPU boost clock speed

    17.0%

    1.8

    L3 cache

    8.0%

    1.8

    N. of physical cores

  • 1.9
    Video editing

    Score components:

    45.0%

    2.0

    Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark score

    20.0%

    1.8

    N. of physical cores

    20.0%

    1.6

    CPU threads

    15.0%

    1.8

    L3 cache

  • No image
No image

Best prices in UK

    N/A~ £220

Best rankings

?

Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).
All: ranking among all products in the database.

Verdict

The Intel Core i5-7300HQ is a high-performance quad-core laptop processor from the 7th Generation Kaby Lake family, featuring a base clock speed of 2.50 GHz and a max turbo frequency of 3.50 GHz. Built on a 14nm process with a 45W TDP, it includes 6MB of L3 cache and supports up to 64GB of DDR4-2400 memory along with integrated Intel HD Graphics 630. Main pros include its 'true' four-core architecture which provides better sustained performance for gaming and multitasking compared to dual-core 'U' series chips of its era. However, notable cons include its lack of Hyper-Threading technology—limiting it to only 4 threads—and its official lack of support for Windows 11.

Technical Specifications of processor Intel Core i5 7300HQ

Technical Score

What it is: An assessment of the processor's technical performance, covering key areas such as processing performance, core configuration, efficiency, platform support, integrated features, and thermal behavior.

When it matters: When you want to compare processors based on technical performance and available features.

Score components:

60.0%

?

Performance

18.0%

?

Cache & Architecture

10.0%

?

Memory & PCIe

7.0%

?

Power & Thermal

4.0%

?

Platform

1.0%

?

Integrated Graphics

4.3
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a technical score of 4.29 points, which is lower than that of 71.9% of products in this category.
User score

What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the processor.

When it matters: When you want to know how a processor performs in real workloads and how reliable it is for gaming, productivity, and efficiency according to user feedback.

Score components:

70.0%

0.0

User reviews

30.0%

1.0

Popularity

?
Popularity
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the processor.
When it matters: When you prefer to choose a processor reviewed and selected by many other buyers.
1.0
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a popularity of 1 points, which is higher than 0% of products in this category.
Ratio quality/price

What it is: An indicator that combines the processor's overall rating with its cost.

When it matters: When you are looking for a processor with a good balance between performance, efficiency, and price.

Score components:

60.0%

4.3

Overall score

40.0%

9.4

Price

5.8
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a quality-to-price ratio of 5.8 points, which is lower than 73.6% of products in this category.
Brand name
What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.
When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel
Processor type
What it is: The kind of system the processor is built for, such as desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, or servers.
When it matters: When you want a processor meant for the kind of machine you are actually building or buying, rather than a chip aimed at a different class of system.

Importance: HIGH

mobile
Intel Core i5 7300HQ belongs to the mobile processor class, which is more advanced than that of 7.3% of processors and equal to that of 48.6% of processors.
CPU socket
What it is: The physical socket the processor fits into on the motherboard.
When it matters: When you need to make sure the CPU can actually be installed on a specific motherboard.

Importance: HIGH

FCBGA1440
Intel Core i5 7300HQ uses the FCBGA1440 CPU socket, which is older than that of 81.4% of processors and equal to that of 4.8% of processors.
Chipset
What it is: The motherboard chipset families officially meant to work with the processor.
When it matters: When you are checking whether a CPU will work with the motherboard features and platform you plan to use.

Importance: HIGH

?
CPU architecture
What it is: The processor family or design generation behind the chip, such as Zen 4 or Raptor Lake.
When it matters: When you are comparing CPUs across generations and want a clearer sense of their design age, feature level, and expected performance class.

Importance: HIGH

x86-64
Intel Core i5 7300HQ uses the x86-64 architecture, which is more advanced than that of 1.7% of processors and equal to that of 98.3% of processors.
Show more
N. of physical cores
What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 8+

4
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has 4 CPU cores, which is fewer than 50.7% of processors and equal to 28.5% of processors.
CPU threads
What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: 16+

4
Intel Core i5 7300HQ offers 4 CPU threads, which is fewer than 67.3% of processors and equal to 26.6% of processors.
Threads per core
What it is: The number of threads each physical core can handle at once.
When it matters: When you want to understand how much thread-level parallelism each core can provide in multitasking or heavily threaded work.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: 2

1
Intel Core i5 7300HQ offers 1 threads per core, which is fewer than 69.7% of processors and equal to 30.3% of processors.
CPU boost clock speed
What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >4.7 GHz

3.5 GHz
Intel Core i5 7300HQ reaches a boost clock of 3.5 GHz which is lower than that of 80.4% of processors and equal to that of 3.1% of processors.
CPU base clock speed
What it is: The processor's normal all-core starting frequency before boost behavior raises clocks temporarily.
When it matters: When you care about steadier performance in longer workloads rather than short burst speed alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

4 x 2.5 GHz
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a base clock of 4x2.5 GHz which is equal to that of 100% of processors.
Show more
Semiconductor size
What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <10 nm

14 nm
Intel Core i5 7300HQ uses a 14 nm process node, which is older than that of 50.8% of processors and equal to that of 33.7% of processors.
Foundry
What it is: The semiconductor manufacturer that physically fabricates the processor chip.
When it matters: When process source, manufacturing generation, or foundry differences matter to your comparison more than day-to-day performance alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel 14 nm
Intel Core i5 7300HQ is built on the Intel 14 nm foundry process, which is less advanced than that of 55.2% of processors and equal to that of 29.3% of processors.
L3 cache
What it is: The total amount of L3 cache available on the processor.
When it matters: When you want better performance in cache-sensitive workloads and games.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=16 MB

6 MB
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has an L3 cache of 6 MB which is smaller than that of 60.4% of processors and equal to that of 9.7% of processors.
L2 cache
What it is: The total amount of L2 cache available across the processor.
When it matters: When you want to compare CPU design efficiency and how much fast intermediate cache the cores have available.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=6 MB

1 MB
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has an L2 cache of 1 MB which is smaller than that of 67.1% of processors and equal to that of 17.6% of processors.
L1 cache
What it is: The total amount of L1 cache built into the processor, which sits closest to the cores.
When it matters: When you are comparing low-level CPU design details rather than the broader performance picture buyers usually notice first.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=512 KB

256 KB
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has an L1 cache of 256 KB which is smaller than that of 59.4% of processors and equal to that of 18.5% of processors.
Show more
DDR memory version
What it is: The RAM generation the processor is designed to support, such as DDR4 or DDR5.
When it matters: When you need the CPU to match the kind of memory platform you want to buy or reuse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: DDR5

DDR3L/DDR4/LPDDR3
Intel Core i5 7300HQ supports DDR DDR3L/DDR4/LPDDR3, which is older than that of 74.3% of processors and equal to that of 3.3% of processors.
Maximum memory speed
What it is: The highest official memory speed supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you choose RAM and want to know the supported speed ceiling.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=4800 MHz

2,400 MHz
Intel Core i5 7300HQ supports memory speeds up to 2400 MHz, which is lower than that of 63.2% of processors and equal to 12.4% of processors.
Max memory speed (JEDEC)
What it is: The highest official RAM speed the processor supports under standard JEDEC settings, before any memory overclocking profiles are applied.
When it matters: When officially supported stock RAM speed matters more than XMP, EXPO, or manual memory tuning.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5600 MHz

2,400 MHz
Intel Core i5 7300HQ supports JEDEC memory speeds up to 2400 MHz, which is lower than that of 74.1% of processors and equal to 1.8% of processors.
Max memory speed (XMP / EXPO)
What it is: The highest memory speed supported through XMP or EXPO profiles.
When it matters: When you want faster RAM through memory profiles.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=5200 MHz

N/A
Maximum memory capacity
What it is: The largest total amount of memory officially supported by the processor.
When it matters: When you plan a system with very large RAM capacity.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=128 GB

64 GB
Intel Core i5 7300HQ supports up to 64 GB of memory, which is more than 28.4% of processors and equal to 27.6% of processors.
Show more
Integrated graphics
What it is: Includes built-in graphics, so the system can output video without a separate graphics card.
When it matters: When you want the PC to work without a dedicated GPU, or you are building an office, media, compact, or troubleshooting-friendly system.

Importance: HIGH

yes
Intel Core i5 7300HQ includes integrated graphics. 87.6% of processors include integrated graphics.
Integrated GPU model
What it is: The model name of the integrated graphics processor, if present.
When it matters: When you plan to use the CPU's built-in graphics.

Importance: MEDIUM

Intel HD Graphics 630
Intel Core i5 7300HQ uses the Intel HD Graphics 630 integrated GPU, which is less advanced than that in 73.9% of processors and equal to that in 2.9% of processors.
Integrated GPU execution units
What it is: The number of execution units available in the integrated graphics part of the processor.
When it matters: When you plan to rely on built-in graphics and want a better sense of its light gaming, display, or media capability.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=24

24
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has 24 GPU execution units, which is more than 49.2% of processors and equal to 21.6% of processors.
Integrated GPU base frequency
What it is: The base operating frequency of the integrated GPU.
When it matters: When integrated graphics performance matters to you.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=350 MHz

350 MHz
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has an integrated GPU clock of 350 MHz which is higher than that of 43.5% of processors and equal to that of 29.6% of processors.
Integrated media encoders/decoders
What it is: The hardware media formats the processor can encode or decode directly.
When it matters: When you stream, edit video, or rely on hardware media acceleration.

Importance: LOW

H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), MPEG-2 (HW decode/encode), VC-1 (HW decode)
Intel Core i5 7300HQ supports H.264 (HW decode/encode), H.265 (HW decode/encode), VP9 (HW decode/encode), MPEG-2 (HW decode/encode), VC-1 (HW decode) media codecs, which is broader support than 77.1% of processors and equal to 0.3% of processors.
Show more
TDP (Thermal design power)
What it is: The rated thermal design power, which gives a general idea of cooling and power needs.
When it matters: When you choose a cooler or build in a tighter case.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <30 W

45 W
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a TDP of 45 W which is lower than that of 39.9% of processors and equal to that of 11.4% of processors.
Base power (PL1)
What it is: The sustained power target used for longer CPU loads.
When it matters: When you choose cooling and power delivery for sustained workloads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <30 W

45 W
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a base power of 45 W which is lower than that of 39.7% of processors and equal to that of 11.6% of processors.
Boost power (PL2)
What it is: The short-term boost power limit the processor may draw under heavier turbo loads.
When it matters: When you size cooling and power delivery for peak turbo behavior.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <50 W

56.25 W
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a boost power of 56.25 W which is lower than that of 56.5% of processors and equal to that of 0.4% of processors.
Tau (power duration limit)
What it is: The time limit the CPU can stay at higher boost power before dropping toward sustained power.
When it matters: When you want to understand turbo behavior under longer loads.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: <=28 s

28 seconds
Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a turbo duration of 28 seconds which is longer than that of 3.8% of processors and equal to that of 85% of processors.
Configurable TDP
What it is: Allows the processor to run in alternate power modes instead of being fixed to one default TDP target.
When it matters: When you want more control over heat, noise, and power draw in compact systems, quieter builds, or thermally limited machines.

Importance: LOW

yes
Intel Core i5 7300HQ supports configurable TDP. 52.9% of processors support configurable TDP.
cTDP: 35 W
Show more

Intel Core i5 7300HQ vs the average processor

  • 2.06x faster Blender rendering
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower Blender BMW27 render time than the average processor (682.6 vs 331.88). The average processor needs 331.88 for the Blender BMW27 test.
    What it is: A Blender render result based on the BMW27 scene, used to show how quickly the processor can finish a heavy 3D rendering task.
    When it matters: When rendering speed matters for 3D work, content creation, or other workloads that behave like long multi-core renders.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >290

    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower Blender BMW27 render time than the average processor (682.6 vs 331.88). The average processor needs 331.88 for the Blender BMW27 test.682.56 vs 331.88
  • 29.2% smaller die size
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower die size than the average processor (126 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
    What it is: The physical area of the processor die, usually measured in square millimeters.
    When it matters: When you are comparing chip scale, packaging density, or broader design differences rather than direct user-visible performance.

    Importance: LOW

    Good value: <150 mm²

    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower die size than the average processor (126 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².126 mm² vs 178 mm²
  • 2.06x faster Blender rendering
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower Blender BMW27 render time than the average processor (682.6 vs 331.88). The average processor needs 331.88 for the Blender BMW27 test.
  • 29.2% smaller die size
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower die size than the average processor (126 mm² vs 178 mm²). The average processor has a die size of 178 mm².
  • Older CPU socket
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ uses an older CPU socket than the average processor (FCBGA1,440 vs FP2).
  • 3 year/s older release date
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has an older release date than the average processor (2,017 vs 2,020).
    January 2017
  • No crypto acceleration
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ does not include crypto acceleration, the average processor does.
  • 18.6% lower boost clock
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
  • 21.6% weaker single-core performance
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,946 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
  • 23.7% lower single-core score
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,122 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
  • 2 fewer CPU cores
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
  • No multithreading support
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
  • 51.8% lower PassMark score
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (5,081 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
  • 36.4% lower multi-core score
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower Geekbench 6 multi-core score than the average processor (3,047 vs 4,793). The average processor scores 4,793 in Geekbench 6 multi-core.
  • 1 fewer threads per core
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has fewer threads per core than the average processor (1 vs 2). The average processor offers 2 threads per core.
  • 16.7% larger process node
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
  • 60% smaller L2 cache
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower L2 cache than the average processor (1 MB vs 2.5 MB). The average processor has L2 cache of 2.5 MB.
  • 50% less L2 per core
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has less L2 cache per core than the average processor (0.3 MB/core vs 0.5 MB/core). The average processor provides 0.5 MB/core of L2 cache per core.
  • 12.5% less L3 per core
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has less L3 cache per core than the average processor (1.5 MB/core vs 1.714 MB/core). The average processor provides 1.714 MB/core of L3 cache per core.
  • 33.3% smaller L1 cache
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower L1 cache than the average processor (256 KB vs 384 KB). The average processor has L1 cache of 384 KB.
  • 25% smaller L3 cache
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower L3 cache than the average processor (6 MB vs 8 MB). The average processor has L3 cache of 8 MB.
  • 18.1% lower memory bandwidth
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower memory bandwidth than the average processor (37.5 GB/s vs 45.8 GB/s). The average processor offers memory bandwidth of 45.8 GB/s.
  • 18.2% lower memory speed
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower maximum memory speed than the average processor (2,400 MHz vs 2,933 MHz). The average processor supports memory speed of 2,933 MHz.
  • Older DDR support
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ supports an older DDR generation than the average processor (DDR3L/DDR4/LPDDR3 vs DDR4).
  • Inferior integrated GPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ uses an inferior integrated GPU to the average processor (Intel HD Graphics 630 vs Intel UHD Graphics 630).
  • 18.6% lower boost clock
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.
    What it is: The highest clock speed the processor can reach under boost conditions.
    When it matters: When you care about peak speed in short bursts.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >4.7 GHz

    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower boost clock speed than the average processor (3.5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz). The average processor reaches boost clock speed of 4.3 GHz.3.5 GHz vs 4.3 GHz
  • 21.6% weaker single-core performance
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,946 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.
    What it is: A benchmark score that reflects single-core CPU performance.
    When it matters: When you care about responsiveness in lighter or older software.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >3200

    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower PassMark single-core score than the average processor (1,946 vs 2,483). The average processor scores 2,483 in PassMark single-core.1,946 vs 2,483
  • 2 fewer CPU cores
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.
    What it is: The number of physical CPU cores on the processor.
    When it matters: When you run workloads that benefit from more real cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 8+

    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has fewer CPU cores than the average processor (4 vs 6). The average processor has 6 CPU cores.4 vs 6
  • 23.7% lower single-core score
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,122 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.
    What it is: A Geekbench 6 score that reflects single-core CPU performance in mixed modern workloads.
    When it matters: When you care about snappy everyday performance in lighter apps, browsing, office work, or tasks that do not scale well across many cores.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >2000

    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower Geekbench 6 single-core score than the average processor (1,122 vs 1,471). The average processor scores 1,471 in Geekbench 6 single-core.1,122 vs 1,471
  • No multithreading support
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
    What it is: Lets each physical core run more than one thread at the same time, such as with Hyper-Threading or SMT.
    When it matters: When multitasking, rendering, compiling, virtualization, or other thread-heavy work benefits from more total processing threads.

    Importance: HIGH

    Intel Core i5 7300HQ does not support multithreading, the average processor does.
  • 51.8% lower PassMark score
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (5,081 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.
    What it is: A benchmark score that gives a broad idea of overall processor performance.
    When it matters: When you want a quick overall performance comparison.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: >19000

    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a lower PassMark benchmark score than the average processor (5,081 vs 10,532.5). The average processor scores 10,532.5 in PassMark benchmark.5,081 vs 10,532.5
  • 16.7% larger process node
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.
    What it is: The manufacturing process node used to produce the processor, usually expressed in nanometers.
    When it matters: When efficiency, heat, and the relative modernity of the chip-making process matter to your comparison.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: <10 nm

    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has a higher process node than the average processor (14 nm vs 12 nm). The average processor uses a process node of 12 nm.14 nm vs 12 nm
  • 4 fewer CPU threads
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.
    What it is: The total number of processing threads the CPU can handle at once.
    When it matters: When you run heavily threaded workloads or multitask a lot.

    Importance: HIGH

    Good value: 16+

    Intel Core i5 7300HQ has fewer CPU threads than the average processor (4 vs 8). The average processor has 8 CPU threads.4 vs 8

Graphic comparison of Intel Core i5 7300HQ and other processors

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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Intel Core i5 7300HQ?

  • Solid quad-core performance for general productivity and office tasks
  • Capable of handling older or well-optimized games at 1080p when paired with a dedicated GPU like the GTX 1050/Ti
  • Better performance stability over time compared to 'U' series ultra-low power chips due to higher TDP (45W)
  • Supports modern hardware decoding for H.265/HEVC and VP9 codecs
  • Historically excellent value for budget gaming laptops at its release

What customers dislike about Intel Core i5 7300HQ?

  • Lacks Hyper-Threading, which significantly limits performance in heavy multitasking and modern multi-threaded apps
  • Frequently hits 100% usage in modern AAA games, leading to stuttering and frame drops
  • Not officially supported for Windows 11, requiring workarounds for installation
  • Noticeable thermal throttling issues in certain laptop chassis, often requiring undervolting or repasting
  • Integrated HD Graphics 630 is very weak for any serious gaming without a dedicated GPU

Expert reviews

F
forums.tomshardware.com
02/08/2018

The i7-7700HQ offers superior performance with a 3.4 GHz quad-core turbo speed and Hyper-Threading, making it better for multi-threaded tasks, while the i5-7300HQ operates at 3.1 GHz, providing a cost-effective, value-focused option for budget gaming. In gaming scenarios, the performance difference is often minimal (1–5%) with mid-range GPUs, though the i5 lacks Hyper-Threading,...Read more

C
cpu.userbenchmark.com
[N/A]

The Intel Core i5-7300HQ is a 7th Generation Kaby Lake quad-core mobile processor, operating at 2.5 GHz with a 3.5 GHz boost, designed for budget-conscious gaming laptops. It delivers reliable performance for modern AAA titles when paired with capable GPUs, but lacks Hyper-Threading, which limits its multitasking capability compared to the i7-7700HQ. A key advantage is its value and...Read more

L
laptopmedia.com
14/07/2017

The Intel Core i7-7700HQ offers superior performance for workstation tasks due to Hyper-Threading and higher clock speeds, providing roughly 40% better synthetic benchmark results than the i5-7300HQ, though it comes at a higher cost. Conversely, the i5-7300HQ is an ideal, budget-friendly choice for gaming, as the performance gap in titles is minimal and usually constrained by the...Read more

N
notebooks-und-mobiles.de
20/03/2017

The Intel Core i5-7300HQ, reviewed by Notebooks und Mobiles on a Dell Precision 5520, is a high-performance, 14nm "Kaby Lake" quad-core processor designed for budget-conscious, entry-level performance laptops. Operating between 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz with a 45W TDP, it offers significant performance advantages over dual-core ULV processors for tasks requiring moderate, sustained power....Read more

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laptopmedia.com
29/09/2017

The Intel Core i5-7300HQ serves as a 14nm Kaby Lake quad-core processor designed for budget gaming laptops, offering 2.5 GHz to 3.5 GHz speeds without Hyper-Threading. It is deemed sufficient for modern gaming when paired with GPUs like the GTX 1050, providing a 10% performance boost over its predecessor. Key advantages include strong single-core performance, lower operating costs...Read more

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notebookcheck.com
26/06/2018

The entry-level Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop (i5-7300HQ, GTX 1050 Ti) features a premium, sturdy build with a high-quality matte IPS display and a robust port selection. While it delivers capable performance for esports, it is significantly less powerful than the GTX 1060 version. Notable cons include its heavy 2.7 kg weight and loud fan noise under load, despite having an effective...Read more

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chip.de
25/09/2017

The CHIP.de review highlights the Intel Core i5-7300HQ as a solid, "Very Good" rated 14nm Kaby Lake quad-core processor ideal for mid-range laptops, operating at 2.5 GHz to 3.5 GHz. It offers strong, sustained performance under load owing to its 45W TDP, outperforming 15W U-series chips, and includes Intel HD Graphics 630 with efficient hardware decoding for modern codecs. A major...Read more

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lesnumeriques.com
08/09/2017

The Acer Aspire 7 A717-71G-54ZH is a 17-inch laptop offering a balanced mix of professional design and solid performance, featuring a brushed aluminum lid and a 420-nit, flicker-free IPS display. Pros include robust build quality, an effective cooling system, and strong performance for gaming and media, while key cons focus on low display contrast and slow 5,400 rpm HDD storage. The...Read more

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lesnumeriques.com
06/10/2017

The Dell Inspiron 15 Gaming (7577) reviewed by Les Numériques features a robust, professional design update with a magnesium alloy finish and a necessary move to an IPS panel, though it remains a bulky device. Performance is a highlight, with the Core i7-7700HQ and GTX 1060 Max-Q driving AAA games at high frame rates with effective cooling. However, the machine faces significant...Read more

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lesnumeriques.com
15/12/2017

The Lenovo Legion Y520 is a 15.6-inch gaming laptop designed to offer a balanced experience for budget-conscious players, originally retailing for under €900. The build features a slim-profile plastic chassis with aggressive cooling vents and red accents, weighing in at 2.4 kg. Its Full HD IPS display provides a good contrast ratio of 1240:1 and a balanced colour temperature of...Read more

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lesnumeriques.com
23/02/2018

The Acer Nitro 5 (2018) is a budget-friendly 15.6-inch "mi-gaming" laptop featuring a 1080p IPS display, a plastic chassis with red accents, and efficient cooling. Performance is adequate for entry-level gaming, supported by dual fans, though the construction exhibits some flex in the lid and keyboard deck. Key strengths include surprisingly good battery life, high internal...Read more

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valid.x86.fr
04/06/2026

The CPU-Z validation for the Intel Core i5-7300HQ (Kaby Lake) on a Lenovo platform from October 2017 shows a 4-core, 4-thread mobile processor operating at a 2.5 GHz base clock, capable of boosting over 3.0 GHz. This entry-to-mid-range configuration is designed for stability and mobility, offering adequate performance for daily tasks and light gaming when supported by dedicated...Read more

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laptopmedia.com
29/09/2017

The Intel Core i5-8250U (15W) and Core i5-7300HQ (45W) offer nearly identical, competitive performance, with the 8th Gen ULV chip providing significantly better efficiency, supporting thinner laptops with better battery life. While the i5-8250U has a low 1.60GHz base clock, it boosts up to 3.40GHz, offering excellent power-to-performance, though the 7th Gen HQ chip offers a more...Read more

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laptopmedia.com
04/06/2026

The Intel Core i5-8300H (Coffee Lake) significantly outperforms the i5-7300HQ (Kaby Lake), primarily due to the introduction of Hyper-Threading, which provides 4 cores and 8 threads compared to the 4 cores/4 threads of the older model. The i5-8300H also offers a higher 4.00 GHz turbo clock and a larger 8MB L3 cache, leading to substantial performance gains in both rendering and...Read more

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notebookcheck.org
07/01/2018

The Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop (i5-7300HQ, GTX 1050 Ti) is an entry-level machine rated 84.4% by Notebookcheck for its sturdy, minimalist all-metal design, matte IPS display, and effective cooling. Performance is solid for entry-level gaming, though a "fan boost" mode is needed to prevent throttling during heavy loads, resulting in significant noise. While offering a high-quality glass...Read more

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laptopmedia.com
14/07/2017

The Intel Core i7-7700HQ offers superior professional performance over the i5-7300HQ, featuring higher clock speeds and Hyper-Threading for better multi-threaded tasks, despite sharing the same 14nm architecture. While the i7 is superior for workstation tasks, the i5-7300HQ remains an efficient, cost-effective option for gaming because performance differences in games are minimal,...Read more

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tweakers.net
28/04/2017

The Tweakers review of the Acer Predator Triton 700 highlights a powerful 18.9mm slim laptop featuring an Intel Core i7-7700HQ and GTX 1080 Max-Q GPU, lauded for its sturdy aluminum build and unique mechanical keyboard. However, the design is heavily compromised by the Gorilla Glass touchpad placed above the keyboard, which becomes uncomfortable to use and alarmingly hot during...Read more

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tweakers.net
11/01/2017

The Acer Aspire VX 15, as reviewed by Tweakers, is a budget-focused gaming laptop featuring a Kaby Lake processor and Nvidia GTX 1050, designed for capable 1080p gaming in a robust, aggressive plastic chassis. Key advantages include its excellent price-to-performance ratio, easy internal access for upgrades, good input devices, and long battery life exceeding 6 hours in video tests....Read more

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notebookcheck.nl
09/08/2017

The Dell Inspiron 15 7567 is a budget gaming laptop featuring an Intel Core i5-7300HQ and GTX 1050, offering strong performance and exceptional battery life over 10 hours. Its primary drawbacks include a poor-quality TN panel with narrow viewing angles, a lack of USB-C/Thunderbolt 3, and a somewhat flimsy lid. While the display is disappointing, the device is considered a solid...Read more

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tweakers.net
14/02/2018

The Tweakers review of the 2018 Acer Nitro 5 highlights a budget-friendly gaming laptop offering strong value, particularly in the entry-level Core i5-7300HQ/GTX 1050 configuration. While a higher-spec i7/GTX 1050 Ti model was tested, the lower-priced version was noted for a superior price-to-performance ratio. The machine boasts a solid plastic construction and a good IPS display...Read more

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tweakers.net
15/04/2017

The Dell Inspiron 15 7567 is a budget gaming laptop featuring a robust build and excellent battery life, yet it is significantly hindered by a poor-quality TN panel display. While offering great value with its GTX 1050 Ti performance, efficient cooling, and decent audio, the screen suffers from low contrast and poor viewing angles. The laptop is a strong contender for users...Read more

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