Intel Core i7-1068NG7 vs Intel Core i7-5950HQ Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a clear and unambiguous picture: the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 wins every single recorded head-to-head comparison. Out of six Cinebench tests, the Ice Lake processor takes all six, leaving the Broadwell-based i7-5950HQ with zero victories. This is not a close contest with split decisions across different workload types; the i7-1068NG7 dominates both single-threaded and multi-threaded rendering tasks.

The i7-1068NG7 wins in single-core performance by a consistent margin of roughly 19.6% to 19.8% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. This is significant because single-core performance drives everyday responsiveness, legacy application performance, and lightly threaded workloads. The newer architecture delivers a substantial advantage in this area, and the consistency of the margin across all three Cinebench versions indicates a fundamental IPC improvement rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In multi-core performance, the i7-1068NG7 also wins decisively, with margins between 19.9% and 20% across the same three benchmark versions. Both processors have four cores and eight threads, so the multi-threaded advantage comes from the newer architecture's efficiency and higher boost clock rather than additional parallel resources. The i7-1068NG7's boost clock of 4.10 GHz exceeds the i7-5950HQ's 3.80 GHz, and the newer design extracts more work per clock cycle.

The i7-5950HQ, despite its higher base clock of 2.90 GHz versus 2.30 GHz, cannot overcome the architectural gap. Its only recorded advantage is in the Geekbench suite, where it has results in the database (4601 multi-core, 1353 single-core) that have no corresponding i7-1068NG7 measurements. However, in the tests where both processors were measured, the older chip trails across the board.

For users prioritizing raw rendering throughput in Cinebench, the i7-1068NG7 is the clear choice. For users who value the specific characteristics of the i7-5950HQ, such as its higher base clock or its Iris Pro Graphics 6200, the data shows those features do not translate into benchmark wins in the recorded tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras and manufacturing processes. The i7-1068NG7 uses Intel's Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Ice Lake-U variant, built on a 10 nm process node. The i7-5950HQ uses the Broadwell architecture, specifically Broadwell-H, built on a 14 nm process node. This process difference is a major factor in the performance gap, as the newer 10 nm node allows for greater efficiency and higher performance per watt.

The die sizes differ substantially. The i7-1068NG7 has a die size of 123 mm², while the i7-5950HQ has a larger die at 182 mm². Despite being physically smaller, the Ice Lake chip delivers higher performance, highlighting the efficiency gains of the newer process technology.

Cache configurations also differ. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. However, the L3 cache differs: the i7-1068NG7 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-5950HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The additional 2 MB of L3 cache in the newer chip provides more room for frequently accessed data, which can help in both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

Memory support represents another generational shift. The i7-1068NG7 supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel configuration and a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The i7-5950HQ supports DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, but with a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s. This represents a 71% advantage in theoretical memory bandwidth for the newer chip, which can benefit memory-intensive applications.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-1068NG7 features Iris Plus graphics, while the i7-5950HQ features Iris Pro Graphics 6200. Both are Intel integrated solutions, but they come from different generations and the newer Iris Plus implementation benefits from the architectural improvements of Ice Lake.

The processors also use different sockets: the i7-1068NG7 uses Intel BGA 1344, while the i7-5950HQ uses Intel BGA 1364. Both are mobile BGA packages, so neither is upgradeable in a traditional sense. The power envelopes differ, with the i7-1068NG7 rated at 28 W TDP and the i7-5950HQ rated at 47 W TDP, though the database does not include power consumption measurements.

Both processors are end-of-life products, with the i7-1068NG7 released in 2019 and the i7-5950HQ released in 2015. Both are locked processors with no unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3, though the i7-5950HQ specification notes 16 lanes (CPU only) while the i7-1068NG7 simply lists Gen 3.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the i7-1068NG7 scoring 787 against the i7-5950HQ's 656, a 20% advantage. The single-core R15 result shows 110 versus 92, a 19.6% lead. These are the earliest recorded Cinebench versions in the database, and they establish the pattern that continues through newer versions.

In Cinebench R20, the multi-core score for the i7-1068NG7 is 3280 against 2736 for the i7-5950HQ, a 19.9% difference. The single-core score is 462 versus 386, a 19.7% lead. The margins remain remarkably stable across the two Cinebench versions, suggesting that the performance relationship between these processors is consistent regardless of workload intensity.

Cinebench R23 results continue the trend. The multi-core score is 7810 for the i7-1068NG7 versus 6516 for the i7-5950HQ, a 19.9% advantage. The single-core score is 1102 versus 920, a 19.8% lead. The consistency of these margins, all falling between 19.6% and 20%, indicates a uniform performance advantage that scales with the workload.

The i7-5950HQ does have Geekbench results in the database that are not matched by the i7-1068NG7. Its Geekbench multi-core score is 4601 and single-core score is 1353. These scores place it in a specific performance tier, but without a corresponding i7-1068NG7 Geekbench measurement, a direct comparison in this suite is not possible from the recorded data.

The average benchmark score for the i7-1068NG7 is 2259, while the i7-5950HQ averages 2158. Both processors sit at the 47th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The i7-1068NG7's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i3-10305 (average score 2264, delta -0.2%), the Intel Core i5-9400 (2254, delta 0.2%), the Intel Core i7-10710U (2248, delta 0.5%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 1500 (2246, delta 0.6%). This places the i7-1068NG7 in a tight cluster of mid-range desktop and mobile processors.

The i7-5950HQ's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-1145G7E (average score 2174, delta -0.7%), the Intel Core i5-7640X (2167, delta -0.4%), the Intel Core i5-10200H (2154, delta 0.2%), and the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X (2148, delta 0.5%). The i7-5950HQ sits slightly below its rivals in average score, while the i7-1068NG7 sits near the top of its peer group.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the Intel Core i7-1068NG7 is the stronger processor in every measured comparison. Across six Cinebench tests spanning three versions of the benchmark, it wins by margins between 19.6% and 20%. The consistency of these margins, regardless of whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded, indicates that the i7-1068NG7's architectural advantages translate uniformly across different types of rendering tasks.

For users focused on Cinebench performance, the choice is straightforward. The i7-1068NG7 delivers approximately 20% higher scores in both single-core and multi-core tests. The newer 10 nm Ice Lake architecture, larger 8 MB L3 cache, and higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s all contribute to this advantage. The i7-5950HQ, despite its higher base clock of 2.90 GHz, cannot overcome the IPC and efficiency gains of the newer design.

The i7-5950HQ does have its own recorded strengths. Its Geekbench scores of 4601 multi-core and 1353 single-core are present in the database, though no comparable i7-1068NG7 Geekbench measurement exists for direct comparison. Its 47 W TDP and higher base clock may suit certain power-agnostic mobile designs, but the benchmark data does not show any performance benefit from these characteristics.

For a user choosing between these two end-of-life mobile processors, the i7-1068NG7 is the recommended pick based on the recorded benchmark results. It wins every head-to-head test, delivers consistently higher scores, and represents the newer generation of Intel mobile architecture. The i7-5950HQ remains a functional processor, but the data shows it is outclassed in rendering workloads by its newer counterpart.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-1068NG7 has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-5950HQ has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the i7-1068NG7 in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-1068NG7 scores 7810 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, compared to 6516 for the i7-5950HQ, a 19.9% advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The i7-1068NG7 supports 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth with DDR4, while the i7-5950HQ supports 29.9 GB/s with DDR3.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-1068NG7 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-5950HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors end-of-life products?

A: Yes, both the i7-1068NG7 and the i7-5950HQ are marked as end-of-life in the database.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-1068NG7 | Intel Core i7-5950HQ |

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

| Base Clock | 2.30 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.10 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 28 W | 47 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1344 | Intel BGA 1364 |

| Architecture | Ice Lake | Broadwell |

| Codename | Ice Lake-U | Broadwell-H |

| Generation | Core i7 (Sunny Cove-U) | Core i7 (Broadwell-H) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 123 mm² | 182 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 29.9 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Plus | Iris Pro Graphics 6200 |

| Release Date | 2019-07-31 | 2015-06-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $320 | $623 |

| Part Number | SRG0U | SR2BJ |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |