Intel Core i5-5575R vs Intel Core i7-4710HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i5-5575R and Intel Core i7-4710HQ are two very different approaches to mobile-adjacent computing. One is a desktop-class Broadwell part with a powerful integrated GPU; the other is a mobile Haswell processor with Hyper-Threading. The benchmark data shows a fascinating split: the i7 wins nearly every Cinebench test, while the i5 dominates Geekbench. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1478 for the i5-5575R versus 1473 for the i7-4710HQ — placing both at the 38th percentile of all CPUs. This near-parity in aggregate masks a clear divergence in workload-specific performance.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-4710HQ's advantage in Cinebench is consistent and decisive. Across all four Cinebench versions tested, the i7 wins by a margin of roughly 7.8% to 7.9%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7 scores 472 against the i5's 435, a delta of -7.8%. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 66 versus 61, a -7.6% gap. Moving to R20, the i7 posts 1970 multicore and 278 single-core, while the i5 manages 1816 and 256 respectively — both results are 7.8% and 7.9% behind. The R23 run mirrors this exactly: 4692 versus 4324 multicore and 662 versus 610 single-core, with deltas of -7.8% and -7.9%. This consistent 8% gap across every Cinebench iteration suggests a fundamental throughput advantage for the i7, likely rooted in its 8 threads versus the i5's 4.

The story flips entirely in Geekbench. Here, the i5-5575R is the clear winner, and the margins are far larger than the i7's Cinebench lead. In Geekbench multicore, the i5 scores 3247 against the i7's 2694 — a massive 20.5% advantage. The single-core result is also strongly in the i5's favor: 1072 versus 947, a 13.2% delta. These are not minor edges; they represent a fundamentally different performance profile. The i5's 20.5% multicore lead in Geekbench more than offsets the i7's 7.8% Cinebench wins, which explains why the average benchmark scores are so close. The i7 wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests, but the i5 wins the two Geekbench tests by such large margins that the aggregate score is nearly a tie.

Looking at the nearest rivals confirms this tight grouping. The i5-5575R's closest competitor is the Intel Core i5-7500T, which scores 1483 on average, a delta of -0.4% relative to the i5. The i7-4710HQ sits at 1473, just 0.4% behind the i5. The i5 is also within 0.9% of the Xeon E3-1225 v5 and -0.9% of the AMD Opteron 6344. On the i7's side, its nearest rival list includes the i5-5575R at -0.3%, the Xeon at 0.6%, the i5-7500T at -0.7%, and the Core i3-7350K at 0.8%. These deltas are all under 1%, meaning all four CPUs in each list are effectively interchangeable in aggregate performance.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is substantial. The i5-5575R is built on Intel's 14 nm Broadwell process, while the i7-4710HQ uses the older 22 nm Haswell node. This process difference explains the transistor and die size discrepancies. The i7-4710HQ packs 1,400 million transistors into a 264 mm² die, whereas the i5-5575R's transistor count is not listed but its die is significantly smaller at 182 mm². The smaller die on a newer process node typically suggests better power efficiency per unit of work, though the i5's TDP of 65 watts is higher than the i7's 47 watts. This is notable because the i7 is a mobile part with a lower thermal envelope, while the i5 is classified as a desktop processor.

Cache configurations also differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache favors the i7: 6 MB shared versus 4 MB shared on the i5. The i7's larger L3 cache, combined with its 8 threads, gives it a structural advantage in cache-sensitive workloads like Cinebench. The i5 compensates with a newer architecture and a more capable integrated GPU. The i5 features Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the i7 ships with the older Intel HD 4600. This is a major differentiator for users who rely on integrated graphics, though the benchmark data provided does not include GPU tests.

Memory support is identical in type and channel configuration — both support DDR3 in dual-channel mode — but the bandwidth figures differ. The i5-5575R offers 29.9 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the i7-4710HQ is rated at 25.6 GB/s. This 4.3 GB/s advantage for the i5 may contribute to its strong Geekbench showing, as Geekbench tends to stress memory latency and bandwidth more than Cinebench's rendering workloads. Both CPUs use the same socket (Intel BGA 1364) and offer PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

The release timeline also separates them. The i7-4710HQ launched on 2014-03-31, while the i5-5575R arrived over a year later on 2015-05-14. The i7 is now marked as end-of-life, while the i5 remains active in production. The i7 carries the part number SR1PX and belongs to the Crystalwell generation, whereas the i5 is designated SR2AK from the Broadwell generation.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-5575R has an average benchmark score of 1478, which is marginally higher than the Intel Core i7-4710HQ's 1473. The difference is just 0.4% in the i5's favor.

Q: Does the i7-4710HQ win every benchmark test?

A: No. The i7-4710HQ wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, all of which are Cinebench variants. The i5-5575R wins the two Geekbench tests, with a 20.5% multicore and 13.2% single-core advantage.

Q: Why does the i7 win Cinebench but lose Geekbench?

A: The data shows the i7 has a 7.8% to 7.9% edge in all Cinebench tests, likely due to its 8 threads and 6 MB of L3 cache. The i5's 20.5% Geekbench multicore lead suggests its newer Broadwell architecture and higher memory bandwidth (29.9 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s) favor that workload.

Q: Are these two CPUs in the same performance tier?

A: Yes. Both sit at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, and their average scores differ by only 0.4%. The i5's nearest rival list includes the i7 at 0.4% delta, and the i7's list includes the i5 at -0.3% delta.

Q: Which CPU has the lower power draw?

A: The i7-4710HQ has a TDP of 47 watts, while the i5-5575R is rated at 65 watts. This is despite the i7 being built on the older 22 nm process node.

Q: What is the difference in integrated graphics?

A: The i5-5575R features Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the i7-4710HQ has Intel HD 4600. The i5's integrated GPU is a more capable part, though no graphics benchmarks are included in this data.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ on several key specifications. The i5-5575R has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-4710HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads due to Hyper-Threading. Base clocks favor the i5 at 2.80 GHz versus the i7's 2.50 GHz, but the boost clocks flip: the i7 reaches 3.50 GHz compared to the i5's 3.30 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator, with the i5 at 65 watts and the i7 at 47 watts. The process node differs significantly: 14 nm for the i5 versus 22 nm for the i7. The i7 has a larger die (264 mm²) and a listed transistor count of 1,400 million, while the i5's die is 182 mm² with no transistor figure provided. L3 cache is 4 MB on the i5 and 6 MB on the i7. Memory bandwidth is 29.9 GB/s on the i5 and 25.6 GB/s on the i7. Integrated graphics are Iris Pro Graphics 6200 on the i5 and Intel HD 4600 on the i7. The market segments are Desktop for the i5 and Mobile for the i7, with production statuses of Active and End-of-life respectively. Release dates are 2015-05-14 for the i5 and 2014-03-31 for the i7. The i5 has a launch MSRP of $265, while the i7 has no listed launch MSRP. Part numbers are SR2AK for the i5 and SR1PX for the i7.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture of two CPUs optimized for different purposes. The Intel Core i7-4710HQ is the better choice for sustained rendering workloads. Its 8 threads and 6 MB of L3 cache deliver a consistent 7.8% to 7.9% advantage across every Cinebench version, from R15 through R23. If your primary use case is video rendering, 3D modeling, or any heavily threaded compute task measured by Cinebench, the i7 is the superior part. It also does this at a lower TDP of 47 watts, making it more power-efficient in that specific workload.

The Intel Core i5-5575R, however, dominates in Geekbench. Its 20.5% multicore and 13.2% single-core leads are substantial and indicate a snappier general-purpose experience. For everyday productivity, system responsiveness, and workloads that resemble Geekbench's mixed integer and floating-point tests, the i5 is clearly ahead. The i5 also benefits from a newer 14 nm process, a smaller 182 mm² die, higher memory bandwidth at 29.9 GB/s, and a much more capable integrated GPU in Iris Pro Graphics 6200. It remains an active production part, while the i7 is end-of-life.

Choosing between them depends entirely on the workload. For Cinebench-style rendering, the i7-4710HQ wins. For Geekbench-style general performance, the i5-5575R is the clear pick. The aggregate scores are within 0.4% of each other, so neither is objectively "better" in a holistic sense. The i7 edges out the i5 in 6 of 8 tests, but the i5's two Geekbench victories are so decisive that they nearly cancel out the i7's entire lead. If forced to pick one based on the data, the i5's wins are larger in magnitude, and it pairs those wins with a newer architecture, more memory bandwidth, better integrated graphics, and an active production status. The i7 counters with more threads, more L3 cache, and lower power draw. Both are capable parts that sit at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, and the benchmark results suggest either would serve well in its intended role.