Quick Verdict
A capable Broadwell chip that brought eDRAM-enhanced Iris Pro graphics to high-end laptops, though it runs hot by modern standards.
Overview
Launch
2015
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
5th Gen Core i7
Market
Mobile
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 Core i7-5850HQ offered a compelling mix of quad-core processing and Iris Pro graphics with 128MB eDRAM, eliminating the need for entry-level discrete GPUs in 2015 laptops.
Specifications
Performance
Solid quad-core performance for 2015 applications.
Handles light VMs but constrained by DDR3 bandwidth.
Iris Pro handles older games well without a discrete GPU.
47W TDP generates significant heat in modern usage contexts.
- •Can play 2015-era games at 1080p low
- •eDRAM prevents severe memory bottlenecks
- •Not suitable for modern AAA gaming
- •No modern AI acceleration hardware
- •eDRAM does not significantly aid modern AI workloads
Architecture
14nm
Process Node
Broadwell-H
Codename
4C / 8T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
47 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Utilizing the Broadwell-H microarchitecture, the Core i7-5850HQ is manufactured using Intel's 14nm lithography process. This shrink from 22nm allowed Intel to fit more transistors into a 182 mm² die, incorporating a complex quad-core CPU and a powerful graphics array. The hallmark of this specific architectural design is the 128 MB of embedded DRAM (eDRAM) functioning as an L4 cache. This eDRAM pool is accessible by both the CPU cores and the Iris Pro Graphics 6200, significantly reducing latency and boosting memory bandwidth well beyond standard DDR3 limits. The processor supports dual-channel DDR3 memory at 1866 MT/s and features 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes for discrete GPU expansion. AVX2 and FMA3 instruction sets are supported, accelerating complex calculations. The 47-watt TDP configuration requires robust cooling solutions, making it suitable only for thicker, performance-oriented mobile chassis rather than ultra-thin designs marketed widely.
CPU Design
4 cores, 8 threads with 6MB L3 cache.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1866 plus 128MB on-package eDRAM.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe 3.0 lanes.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier.
- 14nm process
- Better power efficiency
- Improved Iris Pro architecture
Key Highlights
- 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
- High 47W TDP
- DDR3 memory only
- Soldered BGA socket
- Obsolete by modern efficiency standards
- Short market lifespan
History
Debuting on June 2, 2015, the Core i7-5850HQ was introduced alongside its siblings as a specialized solution for high-performance mobile computing. The Broadwell architecture faced notorious manufacturing delays, pushing its launch much later than initially planned. Consequently, the 5850HQ had a very short shelf life before Intel transitioned to the Skylake architecture.
</br> Despite this, it was featured in several high-end workstation laptops and all-in-one PCs, favored for its Iris Pro Graphics which offered a middle ground between basic integrated graphics and power-hungry discrete GPUs. The inclusion of eDRAM was a significant technological milestone, though the high cost of manufacturing limited its widespread adoption. Today, the i7-5850HQ is remembered as an ambitious step in mobile processor design, paving the way for future advancements in integrated graphics and on-package memory architectures that would later define modern chiplet designs widely.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 14nm process
- Better power efficiency
- Improved Iris Pro architecture
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Buying a legacy workstation laptop for offline typing or media consumption.
Avoid if…
- Need modern battery life
- Require modern gaming performance
- Need DDR4 memory
- Want Windows 11 support
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
It includes 128MB of eDRAM on the processor package.
The eDRAM can be used as a victim cache for the CPU cores.
It features 48 execution units in its integrated graphics.
It was a direct successor to the Crystalwell i7-4870HQ.
The die size is 182 mm².
It operates with a configurable TDP, though mostly locked at 47W.
The 'HQ' suffix stands for High performance Quad-core.
It supports Intel vPro technology for enterprise management.
It was launched in the same quarter as the rest of the Broadwell-H lineup.
The integrated graphics can boost up to 1100 MHz.
People Also Ask
Does the Core i7-5850HQ have eDRAM?
Yes, it features 128MB of embedded DRAM (eDRAM) acting as an L4 cache.
What graphics are in the i7-5850HQ?
It features Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200.
Can the i7-5850HQ run games without a GPU?
Yes, the Iris Pro 6200 can run many older games at low/medium settings without a discrete GPU.
What is the TDP of the i7-5850HQ?
It has a 47-watt TDP.
Does the i7-5850HQ support DDR4?
No, it supports DDR3 memory up to 1866 MT/s.
Is the i7-5850HQ unlocked?
No, the multiplier is locked.
What socket does the i7-5850HQ use?
It uses the Intel BGA 1364 socket and is soldered to the motherboard.
What is the max turbo boost of the i7-5850HQ?
It can turbo boost up to 3.6 GHz.
How many cores does the i7-5850HQ have?
It has 4 physical cores and 8 threads.
Does it support Windows 11?
No, it is not officially supported by Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base clock of the i7-5850HQ?
The base clock is 2.7 GHz.
Does it support Hyper-Threading?
Yes, it supports 8 threads on 4 cores.
How much L3 cache does it have?
It has 6 MB of L3 cache.
Does it support virtualization?
Yes, it supports VT-x and VT-d.
What PCIe version does it support?
It supports PCIe 3.0 with 16 lanes.
What was the launch price?
The launch price was approximately $434.
Does it support AVX2?
Yes, it supports AVX2 and FMA3 instructions.
Can you overclock the i7-5850HQ?
No, it is multiplier locked.
What generation is the i7-5850HQ?
It is a 5th generation Broadwell processor.
Is it good for modern gaming?
No, it is obsolete for modern gaming, though it was capable for its time.