HQ vs MQ processors

I know HQ chips are soldered to the motherboard. Does this make it a pain in the rear to upgrade compared to the MQ, which is not? I'm looking at two laptops and they both have the same chip, just one is soldered and one is not. I was hoping to upgrade to the very best one it is capable of using when the price is down in a couple of years.

 

Definitely get the socketed (MQ) one. The HQ CPU is not upgradeable/swappable without changing out the entire mobo.

 

octiceps/ afitzwater, in general the HQ processor is more capable than the MQ processor of the same model number.

I couldn't use the i7-4700MQ because it doesn't support VT-d virtualization, my VM's wouldn't run. The 4700MQ was the first Haswell processor in a laptop released.

I took back the MSI laptop when the Asus G750JW came out with the i7-4700HQ and it ran my VM's aok.

It's a good idea to compare features between processors before deciding which to get.

Intel has a great site for this, ark.intel.com , here is the 4700MQ vs 4700HQ comparison,with the few but important differences highlighted:

ARK | Compare Intel® Products

If you need a feature in an HQ processor, not in the MQ of the same model, move up the model list (larger numbers), and find an MQ that has everything you need - if you want a socketed CPU.

Please come back and let us know what CPU you choose and why

 

It depends on the OP's priorities, but from upradeability, repairability, and performance standpoints, the MQ processors are definitely superior.

 

Intel always has a QM or MQ quad core with less features that is cheaper, you need the next tier if you want VT-d, etc. Just like the 3610QM didn't have, but the 3720QM has it.

Regarding CPU upgrades, I wouldn't worry about it, the XM units don't go down in price that much with time.

 

Good to know, wasn't aware of this.

 

Thanks for all the info. That decides which laptop I am going to buy then. I was going to get the Sager NP8651 but the only CPU option is an HQ. Therefore I'll be going with a Sager NP8268-S since it uses MQ. It's a little more expensive but I have the upgrade option and I actually like the chasis design more than the other.

 

Yeah, it's always confusing which CPU has which features with Intel.

For anyone who is wondering, when in doubt, always use the ark!
ARK | Intel® Core™ i7-4800MQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.70 GHz)
ARK | Intel® Core™ i7-4700MQ Processor (6M Cache, up to 3.40 GHz)