Intel Core i5-5675C vs Intel Core i7-4870HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-4870HQ and Intel Core i5-5675C are two very different interpretations of a quad-core Intel processor, separated by a generation and aimed at different market segments. The data shows a clear split: the i7-4870HQ dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the i5-5675C takes a decisive lead in Geekbench tests. This makes the choice between them entirely dependent on the specific workload profile, as neither is a universal winner.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-4870HQ has an average benchmark score of 1769, while the Intel Core i5-5675C scores 1759. The 10-point difference represents a 0.6% advantage for the i7-4870HQ, placing both processors at the 41st percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-threaded rendering workloads?

A: The i7-4870HQ consistently outperforms the i5-5675C in all Cinebench multi-core tests. It leads by 9.1% in R15 (540 vs 495), 9.2% in R20 (2253 vs 2063), and 9.2% in R23 (5366 vs 4912).

Q: Does the i5-5675C win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the i5-5675C wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 4159 in multi-core versus 3701 for the i7-4870HQ, an 11% advantage, and 1388 in single-core versus 1143, a 17.7% advantage.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each CPU?

A: The i7-4870HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-5675C has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i7’s Hyper-Threading enables simultaneous processing of two threads per core.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The Intel Core i5-5675C has its multiplier unlocked, allowing for overclocking. The Intel Core i7-4870HQ does not have an unlocked multiplier.

Q: Are the integrated graphics different between the two?

A: Yes, the i7-4870HQ features Intel HD 5200 graphics, while the i5-5675C features Iris Pro Graphics 6200. Both are integrated solutions but represent different graphics implementations.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct architectural generations and physical configurations. The i7-4870HQ is built on the Haswell architecture with the codename Crystalwell, fabricated on a 22 nm process node. It contains 1,400 million transistors on a 264 mm² die. The i5-5675C uses the newer Broadwell architecture, fabricated on a 14 nm process, with a 182 mm² die size. The transistor count for the i5-5675C is not listed, but the die size reduction is substantial.

Memory support is identical in specification: both use DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. Both also feature PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and do not support ECC memory. The L1 and L2 caches are the same at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively, but the L3 cache differs: the i7-4870HQ has 6 MB shared, while the i5-5675C has 4 MB shared.

The market positioning is a critical architectural difference. The i7-4870HQ is a mobile processor using the Intel BGA 1364 socket, while the i5-5675C is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1150. The i7-4870HQ has a 47 W TDP, whereas the i5-5675C has a 65 W TDP. The i7-4870HQ has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the i5-5675C runs at a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

The i7-4870HQ supports 8 threads, the i5-5675C only 4. The i5-5675C is listed as Active in production status, while the i7-4870HQ is End-of-life. The i7-4870HQ was released on 2014-06-30, and the i5-5675C on 2015-05-14.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are sharply divided by test suite. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-4870HQ scores 540 against 495 for the i5-5675C, a 9.1% win. The single-core R15 result is closer in percentage but still favors the i7-4870HQ: 76 vs 69, a 10.1% advantage. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i7-4870HQ scores 2253 multi-core (9.2% ahead of 2063) and 317 single-core (8.9% ahead of 291).

Cinebench R23 shows the same trend with the i7-4870HQ scoring 5366 multi-core vs 4912 for the i5-5675C, another 9.2% lead. The R23 single-core test has the i7-4870HQ at 757 and the i5-5675C at 693, a 9.2% margin. Across all six Cinebench tests, the i7-4870HQ wins convincingly, with deltas ranging from 8.9% to 10.1%. This consistency suggests a fundamental advantage in the i7’s thread count and boost clock, which outweighs the i5’s higher base frequency.

The Geekbench results invert the picture. The i5-5675C scores 4159 multi-core versus the i7-4870HQ’s 3701, an 11% win for the i5. The single-core gap is even larger: 1388 vs 1143, a 17.7% advantage for the i5-5675C. This is a substantial reversal, indicating that the newer Broadwell architecture and its higher base clock deliver superior performance in workloads that favor per-core efficiency and lower latency, as Geekbench tends to measure.

Out of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, the i7-4870HQ wins six and the i5-5675C wins two. However, the margin of victory for the i5 in Geekbench is larger on a percentage basis than the i7’s edge in any single Cinebench test. The i7’s wins are clustered between 8.9% and 10.1%, while the i5’s wins are 11% and 17.7%. This suggests that while the i7 dominates the volume of workloads, the i5’s victories are more decisive in the tests it claims.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear bifurcation. For rendering workloads, specifically Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the Intel Core i7-4870HQ is the definitive choice. Its 8 threads and higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz deliver a consistent 9% performance advantage over the i5-5675C across all multi-core and single-core Cinebench variants. The i7-4870HQ also has a lower TDP of 47 W, making it more power-efficient in a mobile context, though it is an end-of-life product.

For general-purpose computing as measured by Geekbench, the Intel Core i5-5675C is superior. Its 3.10 GHz base clock and newer 14 nm Broadwell architecture yield an 11% multi-core and 17.7% single-core advantage over the i7-4870HQ. The i5-5675C is also an active product with an unlocked multiplier, offering overclocking potential that the i7-4870HQ lacks.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1769 vs 1759, a 0.6% difference), and both sit at the 41st percentile. This means that for a mixed workload, the two processors are effectively interchangeable in overall performance. The decision hinges on workload bias: users running Cinebench-style rendering should pick the i7-4870HQ, while those running Geekbench-style tests or seeking overclocking headroom should pick the i5-5675C. The i5-5675C also has the advantage of being a desktop part with an active production status.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-4870HQ | Intel Core i5-5675C |

|---|---|---|

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 47 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Broadwell |

| Codename | Crystalwell | Broadwell |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 264 mm² | 182 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 5200 | Iris Pro Graphics 6200 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2014-06-30 | 2015-05-14 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $276 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part Number | SR1ZX | SR2B6SR2FX |