CPU Comparison
Core i7-5850HQ vs Core i7-940XM
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.
Slightly faster than the 920XM but still heavily outclassed by modern CPUs.
Gaming
Iris Pro handles older games well without a discrete GPU.
Handles legacy games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs and games.
Virtualization
Handles light VMs but constrained by DDR3 bandwidth.
Adequate for legacy mobile VMs but lacks modern I/O.
Efficiency
47W TDP generates significant heat in modern usage contexts.
Power hungry and inefficient by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No modern AI acceleration hardware
- eDRAM does not significantly aid modern AI workloads
- No AI hardware support
- Pure legacy x86 performance
Content Creation
Gaming
- Can play 2015-era games at 1080p low
- eDRAM prevents severe memory bottlenecks
- Not suitable for modern AAA gaming
- Highest clocks for Socket G1
- No integrated graphics
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
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
- Fastest Socket G1 CPU
- Unlocked multiplier
- High turbo clock
- 8MB L3 cache
Cons
- Extremely power hungry
- No integrated graphics
- Obsolete platform
- Produces excessive heat
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 i7-940XM
- Intel Core i7-920XMRival
Mobile Extreme
- Intel Core i7-840QMRival
Mobile High-End
- AMD Phenom II X4 MobileRival
Mobile High-End
- Intel Core i7-740QMRival
Mobile Mid-Range
- Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9300Rival
Legacy Mobile Extreme
- Intel Core i7-2820QMAlt
Massive leap in efficiency and performance (Sandy Bridge).
- AMD A8-3550MXAlt
More efficient, though weaker, alternative.
- Intel Core i5-2520MAlt
Dual-core but vastly superior efficiency and single-thread speed.
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 reviewThe fastest Clarksfield chip, offering a minor clock speed bump over the 920XM, but equally obsolete today.
Best for: Upgrading an existing high-end 2010 DTR laptop.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Core i7-5850HQ or Core i7-940XM?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Core i7-940XM 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.
Which is faster for gaming, Core i7-5850HQ or Core i7-940XM?
For gaming, the Core i7-5850HQ leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Core i7-5850HQ and Core i7-940XM.
Which uses less power?
The Core i7-5850HQ has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Core i7-5850HQ (47 W), Core i7-940XM (55 W).
Do Core i7-5850HQ and Core i7-940XM use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Core i7-5850HQ: Intel BGA 1364, Core i7-940XM: Intel Socket G1), so each needs a compatible motherboard.