Intel Core i7-4770HQ socket: BGA 1364

What the Core i7-4770HQ is

The Core i7-4770HQ is a quad mobile processor for performance laptops on BGA 1364. Intel set 4 cores and 8 threads at 2.2 GHz base with turbo to 3.4 GHz. Six megabytes of Smart Cache serve games, photo work and code builds. Power is 47 W on 22 nm from July 2014. The codename is Crystalwell, the soldered Haswell-H branch with Iris Pro graphics.

Four cores with Hyper-Threading keep a 2014 gaming laptop responsive while voice chat, recording and background updates run beside the game. The 2.2 GHz base holds frame pacing without constant turbo. Six megabytes of shared cache lower memory trips in threaded work. Buyers in this class usually pair the chip with a discrete GeForce card for 1080p play, while the integrated GPU covers desktop use and video.

Iris Pro Graphics 5200 runs from 200 MHz to 1.2 GHz and drives three displays over eDP, DisplayPort, HDMI and VGA. DDR3L-1333 and 1600 over two channels to 32 GB feed cores and graphics with up to 25.6 GB/s. The 47 W envelope fits dual fan gaming bodies from mid 2014 where a soldered quad must balance clocks, graphics and battery life.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The 4770HQ solders to BGA 1364 in an FCBGA1364 package at 37.5 × 32 mm. There is no socket, no retention frame and no later swap. The chip cannot be replaced. Shoppers lock screen size, discrete GPU level, memory size and SSD at order time. Later changes cover storage, Wi-Fi cards and batteries where the chassis allows.

Mobile boards around QM87, HM87 and HM86 pair with this processor family for laptop I/O. Memory is DDR3L SODIMMs, not desktop DIMMs. The LGA, PGA and BGA: CPU package types explained guide explains soldered limits in plain terms. Check maker pages for exact board support, since laptop boards are model specific and never cross between chassis.

A move to another socket is not possible on the same board. A faster machine means a new board or a new laptop. Compare soldered options before ordering, since clocks and graphics stay fixed for the life of the machine.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory support is DDR3L-1333 and 1600 across two channels to 32 GB. Paired SODIMMs help Iris Pro graphics in video calls and light editing. Sixteen gigabytes covers 2014 games with chat clients open. The controller runs at 1.5 V DDR3L levels for laptop thermals.

PCIe comes as 16 lanes of PCIe 3.0 from the CPU for discrete graphics and fast storage. Laptop designs split lanes between the GPU and NVMe or SATA Express paths per model. Exact wiring follows the chassis, so maker specs decide slot speed. Chipset lanes add USB 3.0 and SATA for the rest of the system.

Cooling has no boxed cooler and no desktop mount pattern. The pattern is Not applicable (soldered). Makers design shared heat pipes and dual fans for 47 W plus the discrete GPU. Fan curves and chassis intakes decide noise under load. A cooling stand helps long sessions, but it cannot change the soldered thermal path.

Upgrade paths

There is no CPU upgrade path on soldered BGA-1364. The realistic comparison at order time is the Intel Core i7-4710HQ at 2.5 GHz to 3.5 GHz with HD Graphics 4600 for lower graphics needs, or the Intel Core i7-4760HQ at 2.1 GHz to 3.3 GHz with Iris Pro graphics in the same 47 W class. All three share the package, so graphics level and clocks decide. Pick the screen, GPU and memory once.

A step to a newer platform means a new laptop with a new board, new memory and new cooling. The How to find your CPU socket type guide helps confirm soldered versus socketed designs when shopping used. For a desktop with swappable parts, look at LGA 1150 and a chip like the Intel Core i7-4790K instead.