Intel Core i5-5675R vs Intel Core i7-5850HQ Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture across every recorded test. The Intel Core i7-5850HQ wins all six head-to-head comparisons, and the margin is strikingly uniform. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-5850HQ scores 588 against the i5-5675R's 476, a 23.5% advantage. The single-core result in the same test shows 82 versus 67, a 22.4% gap. This near-identical delta across both single and multi-threaded workloads suggests the advantage is structural rather than workload-specific.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The i7-5850HQ posts 2451 multi-core against 1987 for the i5-5675R, a 23.4% lead. Single-core in R20 shows 345 versus 280, a 23.2% difference. The newest Cinebench R23 test repeats the story: 5836 versus 4733 in multi-core (23.3% ahead) and 823 versus 668 in single-core (23.2% ahead). The consistency is remarkable; every single benchmark lands within a narrow band of 22.4% to 23.5% in favor of the i7-5850HQ.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar tale. The i7-5850HQ averages 1688, while the i5-5675R averages 1648. That is a 40-point gap, or roughly 2.4% on average, but the head-to-head deltas show the true per-test separation. The average includes a Geekbench result for the i5-5675R that has no counterpart in the i7-5850HQ record, which compresses the apparent difference. The Cinebench family, where both processors have matching entries, shows the real story: a consistent 23% advantage for the i7-5850HQ.

The percentile ranking places both chips at the 40th percentile among all CPUs, meaning they occupy the same tier in the broader landscape. Yet within that tier, the i7-5850HQ is clearly the stronger performer. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3770K at an identical 1688 average score, and the AMD Ryzen 7 3750H at 1690 (0.1% above). The i5-5675R's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-4810MQ at 1651 and the Intel Core i7-5700HQ at 1645, showing it sits slightly below the i7-5850HQ's competitive cluster.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-5850HQ scores 5836, which is 23.3% higher than the i5-5675R's 4733.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap between the two?

A: In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-5850HQ scores 82 versus 67 for the i5-5675R, a 22.4% advantage. The R20 and R23 single-core tests show 23.2% and 23.2% gaps respectively, so the single-core difference is consistent across all versions.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration and identical memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s.

Q: Are the integrated graphics different between the two?

A: No, both integrate Iris Pro Graphics 6200.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The i5-5675R has a base clock of 3.10 GHz, while the i7-5850HQ has a base clock of 2.70 GHz. Despite this, the i7-5850HQ still wins every benchmark.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The i7-5850HQ is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-5675R is listed as active production.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Broadwell architecture and are built on Intel's 14 nm process node. The foundry is Intel for both, and the die size is identical at 182 mm². The codenames differ slightly: the i7-5850HQ is designated Broadwell-H, while the i5-5675R is simply Broadwell. Both use the same Intel BGA 1364 socket, which means they are pin-compatible from a physical standpoint, though the benchmark data does not address cross-compatibility in systems.

The core counts match at 4 cores each, but the threading capability diverges. The i7-5850HQ supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading, while the i5-5675R is limited to 4 threads. This doubling of execution threads is the most probable driver behind the consistent multi-core performance advantage. The cache hierarchy also differs. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the shared L3 cache is 6 MB on the i7-5850HQ versus 4 MB on the i5-5675R. That 50% larger last-level cache likely contributes to the single-core advantages as well, since more frequently accessed data can stay resident closer to the cores.

The integrated graphics solution is identical: Iris Pro Graphics 6200 on both parts. Memory support matches as well, with both using DDR3 on a dual-channel bus at 29.9 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity is also identical at Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The production status differs, with the i7-5850HQ marked end-of-life and the i5-5675R still active, which may reflect different market positions despite their architectural similarity.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: the i7-5850HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-5675R has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clock speeds differ notably, with the i5-5675R at 3.10 GHz versus 2.70 GHz for the i7-5850HQ. Boost clocks match at 3.60 GHz for both. Thermal design power differs substantially: the i7-5850HQ is rated at 47 W, while the i5-5675R draws 65 W. This is counterintuitive given the i7's superior performance, but the data records these figures without further explanation.

The L3 cache differs at 6 MB shared for the i7-5850HQ versus 4 MB shared for the i5-5675R. Release dates are close but not identical, with the i5-5675R released on 2015-05-14 and the i7-5850HQ on 2015-06-01. The launch MSRP for the i7-5850HQ is $434, while the i5-5675R carries a launch MSRP of $265. The i7-5850HQ carries part number SR2BH, and the i5-5675R uses SR2AJ. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The benchmark records include a Geekbench result for the i5-5675R (3738 multi-core, 1234 single-core) that has no matching entry for the i7-5850HQ in the database. This means the average benchmark score of 1688 for the i7-5850HQ derives solely from Cinebench tests, while the 1648 average for the i5-5675R includes both Cinebench and Geekbench results. The percentile ranking is identical at 40 for both processors.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-5850HQ wins every recorded benchmark category, making the win distribution straightforward: 6 wins for the i7-5850HQ, 0 for the i5-5675R. The categories span multi-core and single-core across three generations of Cinebench. For multi-threaded workloads like rendering, video encoding, or compilation, the i7-5850HQ's 8 threads provide a 23.3% to 23.5% advantage in Cinebench R23 and R20 multi-core tests. The single-core wins of 22.4% to 23.2% indicate the i7-5850HQ also holds the edge for lightly threaded applications, despite the i5-5675R's higher base clock of 3.10 GHz versus 2.70 GHz.

The i5-5675R does not win any benchmark category in the recorded data. Its advantages are limited to specification sheet differences: a higher base clock (3.10 GHz versus 2.70 GHz), a lower launch MSRP ($265 versus $434), active production status versus end-of-life, and a higher TDP at 65 W compared to 47 W. For workloads that depend solely on base clock frequency without boost engagement, the i5-5675R's higher base clock might theoretically help in sustained all-core loads that prevent boosting, but the benchmark results do not support this hypothesis. The i7-5850HQ wins even the multi-core tests that would presumably stress sustained clocks.

The i5-5675R's Geekbench results (3738 multi-core, 1234 single-core) provide data points that have no direct comparison in the i7-5850HQ's record. These cannot be used to establish a win, since the database lacks a matching Geekbench run for the i7-5850HQ. The average benchmark score of 1648 for the i5-5675R places it near the Intel Core i7-4810MQ (1651) and slightly above the Intel Core i7-5700HQ (1645), while the i7-5850HQ's 1688 average sits alongside the Intel Core i7-3770K and just below the AMD Ryzen 7 3750H.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear choice for most use cases: the Intel Core i7-5850HQ outperforms the Intel Core i5-5675R in every recorded benchmark. The 23% advantage across all Cinebench versions, both single and multi-core, indicates a consistent performance edge that would benefit virtually any workload. The i7-5850HQ achieves this with a lower TDP of 47 W versus 65 W, making it the more power-efficient performer in addition to being faster. The larger 6 MB L3 cache and 8 threads provide the structural basis for these wins.

However, the i5-5675R has its own rationale. It is still in active production, while the i7-5850HQ is end-of-life. Its launch MSRP of $265 is substantially lower than the i7-5850HQ's $434. Its higher base clock of 3.10 GHz means that in scenarios where boost clocks are not sustained, it starts from a higher baseline. The identical integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 6200) and memory bandwidth (29.9 GB/s) mean that platform-level features do not differentiate the two. The i5-5675R also has Geekbench records in the database, giving it a broader measurement footprint.

For users prioritizing raw performance in rendering, content creation, or any multi-threaded workload, the i7-5850HQ is the data-backed choice. For users who need a currently produced processor with a lower launch MSRP and can accept a consistent 23% performance deficit, the i5-5675R remains a viable option. The benchmark database's percentile ranking places both at the 40th percentile, indicating they occupy the same overall performance tier, but within that tier the i7-5850HQ is clearly the stronger silicon. The choice ultimately depends on whether the i5-5675R's lower launch MSRP and active production status outweigh a performance gap that appears in every single recorded test.