CPU Comparison
Core i7-5700HQ vs Core i7-5850HQ
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-5700HQ is a high-performance mobile processor launched in the second quarter of 2015, specifically designed to power premium gaming and workstation laptops. Built on Intel's 14-nanometer Broadwell-H architecture, this chip represents a crucial transition point in Intel's roadmap, bringing improved energy efficiency and thermal performance over the previous Haswell generation. It features four physical cores and supports Hyper-Threading, allowing it to process up to eight simultaneous threads. With a base clock speed of 2.7 GHz and a maximum turbo boost frequency of 3.5 GHz, it delivers robust single-threaded and multi-threaded performance for demanding applications. The processor includes 6 MB of L3 cache and integrates Intel HD 5600 graphics. Its 47-watt thermal design power envelope strikes a balance between raw computational power and the thermal constraints of mobile form factors. Although now considered end-of-life, the i7-5700HQ remains a historically significant part of Intel's mobile CPU evolution.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Adequate for basic tasks but slow for modern multi-threaded workloads.
Solid quad-core performance for 2015 applications.
Gaming
Handles older eSports titles well but struggles with modern AAA games.
Iris Pro handles older games well without a discrete GPU.
Virtualization
Can run basic VMs but limited by DDR3 memory bandwidth.
Handles light VMs but constrained by DDR3 bandwidth.
Efficiency
47W TDP results in poor battery life compared to modern mobile chips.
47W TDP generates significant heat in modern usage contexts.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware
- No AVX-512 support
- Unsuitable for modern AI workloads
- No modern AI acceleration hardware
- eDRAM does not significantly aid modern AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Suitable for older games
- Requires discrete GPU for 3D workloads
- Bottlenecks modern graphics cards
- Can play 2015-era games at 1080p low
- eDRAM prevents severe memory bottlenecks
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Solid quad-core performance for 2015
- Good turbo boost frequencies
- Supports AVX2 instructions
- Reliable for legacy gaming
Cons
- End-of-life platform
- Uses outdated DDR3 memory
- High power consumption by modern standards
- Integrated graphics are very weak
- BGA socket prevents upgrades
Pros
- Iris Pro 6200 with eDRAM is powerful for integrated graphics
- Good quad-core CPU performance
- Hardware acceleration for media encoding
- Suitable for professional CAD work
Cons
- High 47W TDP
- DDR3 memory only
- Soldered BGA socket
- Obsolete by modern efficiency standards
- Short market lifespan
Competitors & Alternatives
Core i7-5700HQ
- AMD FX-8800PRival
Mobile Performance
- Intel Core i7-4720HQRival
Mobile Performance
- Intel Core i5-4210HRival
Mobile Performance
- Intel Core i7-6700HQAlt
Newer Skylake architecture with DDR4 support.
- Intel Core i7-7700HQAlt
Better performance and efficiency.
- AMD Ryzen 5 2500UAlt
Modern alternative with much better integrated graphics and battery life.
- Intel Core i5-8250UAlt
8th gen U-series outperforms it in multi-core while using less power.
- Alt
Revolutionary efficiency and performance leap over Broadwell mobile chips.
Compare head-to-head
Core i7-5850HQ
- AMD FX-7500Rival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i7-5750HQRival
Mobile Workstation
- Intel Core i7-5700HQRival
Mobile Performance
- Intel Core i7-6700HQAlt
Skylake architecture with DDR4 support.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500UAlt
Modern alternative with much better efficiency and graphics.
- Alt
Revolutionary leap in mobile CPU and GPU efficiency.
Compare head-to-head Newer chip with similar eDRAM concepts but better performance.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-8259UAlt
Modern quad-core with Iris Plus graphics.
Our Verdict on Each
A reliable workhorse of the mid-2010s that provided excellent quad-core performance for gaming laptops, though it is heavily outdated by modern efficiency and speed standards.
Best for: Purchasing a heavily discounted used laptop for retro gaming or basic typing.
Read the full reviewA capable Broadwell chip that brought eDRAM-enhanced Iris Pro graphics to high-end laptops, though it runs hot by modern standards.
Best for: Buying a legacy workstation laptop for offline typing or media consumption.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Core i7-5700HQ or Core i7-5850HQ?
For gaming, the Core i7-5850HQ leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Core i7-5700HQ and Core i7-5850HQ.
Do Core i7-5700HQ and Core i7-5850HQ use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1364 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.