AMD Ryzen 7 1700X vs Intel Core i7-5950HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data presents a clear split between these two processors. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X dominates the multi-core tests, while the Intel Core i7-5950HQ takes a single victory in one single-core workload. Across the four head-to-head comparisons, the Ryzen 7 1700X wins three, with the Intel part claiming one.

The largest margin appears in Cinebench R15 multi-core. Here, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537 against the Intel Core i7-5950HQ's 656. That translates to a delta of -57.3% from the Intel part's perspective, meaning the AMD processor delivers more than double the multi-threaded performance in this test. The gap is substantial, reflecting the difference in core and thread counts.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X also leads, scoring 154 versus 92 for the Intel Core i7-5950HQ. The delta is -40.3%, which is a significant margin for a single-threaded workload. This result is notable because the Intel chip is often associated with strong per-core performance, but the recorded data shows the AMD part ahead here by a wide margin.

Geekbench multi-core tells a similar story to Cinebench R15 multi-core, though with a smaller gap. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 5584, while the Intel Core i7-5950HQ scores 4601. The delta is -17.6%, indicating a clear but less dramatic advantage for the AMD processor in this workload.

The one win for the Intel Core i7-5950HQ comes in Geekbench single-core. Here, the Intel part scores 1353 against 1100 for the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X. The delta is +23%, meaning the Intel chip is 23% ahead in this specific test. This is the only benchmark where the Intel processor takes the lead, and it stands in contrast to the Cinebench R15 single-core result where AMD was ahead. The divergence between the two single-core tests suggests workload-specific behavior, with the Intel part performing better in Geekbench's single-threaded suite.

The average benchmark score in the database places the Intel Core i7-5950HQ at 2158 and the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X at 2094. The Intel part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-10200H (avg score 2154, delta +0.2%), the Intel Core i5-7640X (avg score 2167, delta -0.4%), the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X (avg score 2148, delta +0.5%), and the Intel Core i5-1145G7E (avg score 2174, delta -0.7%). The AMD part's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-8350K (avg score 2096, delta -0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G (avg score 2101, delta -0.3%), the AMD Ryzen Embedded R2544 (avg score 2086, delta +0.4%), and the Intel Core i3-9350KF (avg score 2082, delta +0.6%). These rival comparisons show that both CPUs sit in a similar performance tier overall, even though the head-to-head results are heavily skewed toward the AMD part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X wins three out of four head-to-head tests. The Intel Core i7-5950HQ wins one.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two in any single test?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X scores 1537 versus 656 for the Intel Core i7-5950HQ, a delta of -57.3% from the Intel part's perspective.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-5950HQ win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i7-5950HQ wins the Geekbench single-core test with a score of 1353 against 1100 for the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X, a delta of +23%.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R15 single-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X leads with a score of 154, while the Intel Core i7-5950HQ scores 92. The delta is -40.3%.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-5950HQ has an average benchmark score of 2158, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has an average benchmark score of 2094.

Q: Which processor has a higher percentile ranking among all CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i7-5950HQ sits at the 47th percentile, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X sits at the 46th percentile. These are nearly identical.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the clear winner for multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1537, which is more than double the Intel Core i7-5950HQ's 656. In Geekbench multi-core, the AMD part scores 5584 versus 4601 for the Intel chip, a 17.6% advantage. Any workload that scales with core count, such as rendering, video encoding, or compilation, will favor the AMD processor. The data also shows the AMD part ahead in Cinebench R15 single-core, scoring 154 against 92, so even some lightly threaded tasks may favor the AMD part in that specific test.

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ wins only in Geekbench single-core, scoring 1353 against 1100. This 23% lead suggests that the Intel part holds an advantage in certain single-threaded scenarios, particularly those that resemble the Geekbench single-core workload. However, this advantage does not appear in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD part leads by 40.3%. The Intel processor also carries integrated graphics, specifically Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has no integrated graphics. For systems that rely on the CPU's built-in display output, the Intel part is the only option of the two.

Specification Differences

The core configuration differs significantly. The Intel Core i7-5950HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has 8 cores and 16 threads. Base clocks are 2.90 GHz for the Intel part and 3.40 GHz for the AMD part. Both share the same boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) is 47 watts for the Intel chip and 95 watts for the AMD chip, reflecting the mobile versus desktop market segments.

Memory support differs as well. The Intel part supports DDR3, while the AMD part supports DDR4. Both use dual-channel memory buses. The memory bandwidth is 29.9 GB/s for the Intel part and 42.7 GB/s for the AMD part. The Intel processor does not support ECC memory, while the AMD processor does.

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ uses the Intel BGA 1364 socket, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X uses the AMD Socket AM4. The Intel part has a locked multiplier, while the AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. The Intel processor is marked end-of-life, while the AMD processor is marked active.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ is built on the Broadwell architecture, with the codename Broadwell-H. It belongs to the Core i7 (Broadwell-H) generation. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X uses the Zen architecture, with the codename Zen (Summit Ridge), and belongs to the Ryzen 7 (Zen (Summit Ridge)) generation. Both processors are manufactured on a 14 nm process node. Intel is the foundry for the Intel chip, while GlobalFoundries is the foundry for the AMD chip.

The die size is 182 mm² for the Intel part and 213 mm² for the AMD part. The AMD processor has 4,800 million transistors, while the transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database. Cache hierarchies differ: the Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The AMD part has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3.

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ includes integrated graphics, specifically Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X has no integrated graphics. The Intel part is a mobile segment processor, and the AMD part is a desktop segment processor. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and neither has 3D V-Cache.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear split by workload type. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is the stronger choice for multi-threaded applications, as shown by its 57.3% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and its 17.6% lead in Geekbench multi-core. The 8-core, 16-thread configuration, combined with a higher base clock and larger L3 cache, supports this result. For rendering, encoding, or any parallel task, the AMD part is the one to pick.

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ is the better option only in the specific scenario of Geekbench single-core, where it leads by 23%. It also offers integrated graphics, which the AMD part lacks entirely. For a compact or mobile system that needs a built-in display output and does not require maximum multi-threaded throughput, the Intel part has a narrow but real advantage.

The overall average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 2158 for the Intel part and 2094 for the AMD part, with both sitting at the 46th and 47th percentiles respectively. This means that for a balanced mix of workloads, the two processors are comparable in aggregate. But the head-to-head results are lopsided, with the AMD part winning three of four tests. The decision should hinge on whether the user's primary workloads are multi-threaded, in which case the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X is clearly favored, or single-threaded in the Geekbench style, where the Intel Core i7-5950HQ shows its one concrete victory.