CPU Comparison
Core i7-5850HQ vs Core i7-5950HQ
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i7-5850HQ is a high-end mobile processor released in 2015, engineered for premium laptops and mobile workstations where graphics performance is paramount. Part of the Broadwell-H family, it is built on a 14-nanometer process, offering notable power efficiency improvements over the preceding Haswell architecture. The chip integrates four physical cores and eight threads, handling multi-threaded workloads with competence. Its base clock sits at 2.7 GHz, with the ability to turbo boost up to 3.6 GHz when thermal conditions permit. What sets the 5850HQ apart is the inclusion of Iris Pro Graphics 6200 paired with 128 MB of embedded DRAM (eDRAM). This L4 cache provides exceptional bandwidth for integrated graphics, drastically improving frame rates in games and accelerating media tasks. Operating within a 47-watt TDP, this end-of-life processor remains a fascinating study in Intel's early efforts to bridge the CPU-iGPU performance gap in laptops efficiently.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Solid quad-core performance for 2015 applications.
Strong CPU performance for professional workloads in 2015.
Gaming
Iris Pro handles older games well without a discrete GPU.
Iris Pro allowed for 720p/1080p medium gaming without a discrete GPU.
Virtualization
Handles light VMs but constrained by DDR3 bandwidth.
Adequate for light VMs, though limited by DDR3.
Efficiency
47W TDP generates significant heat in modern usage contexts.
The eDRAM and high clocks result in significant heat output.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No modern AI acceleration hardware
- eDRAM does not significantly aid modern AI workloads
- No AI acceleration
- eDRAM does not benefit modern AI inference significantly
Content Creation
Gaming
- Can play 2015-era games at 1080p low
- eDRAM prevents severe memory bottlenecks
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming
- Comparable to entry-level discrete GPUs of its era
- Capable of playing older titles at 1080p
- eDRAM significantly reduces frame drops
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
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
Pros
- Iris Pro 6200 is highly capable for integrated graphics
- 128MB eDRAM provides huge bandwidth
- Strong single and multi-core clocks
- Excellent for 2015 mobile workstations
Cons
- Very expensive at launch
- 47W TDP limits battery life
- Soldered to motherboard
- DDR3 memory is obsolete
- Thermal throttling is common in thin laptops
Competitors & Alternatives
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.
Core i7-5950HQ
- AMD A10-8700PRival
Mobile APU
- Intel Core i7-5700HQRival
Mobile Performance
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4980HQRival
Mobile Workstation
- Intel Core i7-6700HQAlt
More modern Skylake architecture with DDR4.
- Alt
Vastly superior integrated graphics and efficiency.
Compare head-to-head - AMD Ryzen 7 5700UAlt
Modern 8-core alternative with excellent iGPU.
Newer Coffee Lake-U with Iris Plus graphics.
Compare head-to-head10nm Ice Lake with better efficiency and modern graphics.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A 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 reviewAn innovative processor that pushed the boundaries of integrated graphics with eDRAM, though its high cost and TDP limited its market appeal.
Best for: Buying a used MacBook Pro or mobile workstation for cheap.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-5850HQ or Core i7-5950HQ?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-5950HQ comes out ahead with a score of 7.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Do Core i7-5850HQ and Core i7-5950HQ use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the Intel BGA 1364 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.