Intel Core i7-3770K vs Intel Core i7-5850HQ Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3770K and Intel Core i7-5850HQ are evenly matched in aggregate, with identical average benchmark scores of 1688 and both sitting at the 40th percentile among all CPUs. However, the head-to-head data shows a clear and consistent winner: the i7-5850HQ sweeps all six benchmark comparisons, posting a 5% advantage in nearly every test. The i7-3770K’s higher clock speeds do not translate into superior performance, as the newer Broadwell architecture of the i7-5850HQ delivers a modest but uniform edge across single-core and multi-core workloads.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-5850HQ wins every benchmark in the comparison, with deltas ranging from -4.9% to -5.1% (negative values indicate the i7-3770K trails). In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-5850HQ scores 588 against 558 for the i7-3770K, a 5.1% lead. The single-core result is similarly decisive: 82 versus 78, a 4.9% gap. These margins hold steady across newer workloads as well. In Cinebench R20, the i7-5850HQ posts 2451 multi-core and 345 single-core, while the i7-3770K manages 2327 and 328, respectively—again a 5.1% and 4.9% difference.

The pattern continues in Cinebench R23, where the i7-5850HQ scores 5836 multi-core and 823 single-core, compared with 5542 and 782 for the i7-3770K. The delta is exactly 5% in both cases. Notably, the i7-3770K does not register a single win across the six tests; the i7-5850HQ claims all six. While the aggregate average scores are identical at 1688, this masks the fact that the i7-5850HQ is consistently ahead in every measured workload. The i7-3770K’s only benchmark not included in the head-to-head list is Geekbench, where it scores 3027 multi-core and 860 single-core, but those numbers do not change the overall picture of the comparison.

The consistency of the 5% margin is striking. It suggests that the architectural efficiency of the i7-5850HQ, rather than raw clock speed, is the determining factor. The i7-3770K has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost of 3.90 GHz, while the i7-5850HQ runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Despite the lower clocks, the i7-5850HQ outperforms in every test, indicating that its per-clock execution is superior. The data does not show any workload where the i7-3770K’s higher frequency overcomes this architectural deficit.

The Verdict

From the benchmark data alone, the Intel Core i7-5850HQ is the outright winner. It leads in all six head-to-head tests, with a consistent 5% advantage in both single-core and multi-core scenarios. There is no metric in the comparison where the i7-3770K comes out ahead. The i7-5850HQ’s 5% edge in Cinebench R23 multi-core (5836 vs 5542) is representative of the entire dataset.

The i7-3770K does have one clear advantage: its multiplier is unlocked, whereas the i7-5850HQ is locked. For users who plan to overclock, the i7-3770K offers headroom that the i7-5850HQ cannot match. However, the data cannot quantify the potential overclocked performance, as no overclocked benchmarks are provided. In stock configurations, the i7-5850HQ is the better performer.

The i7-3770K also has a higher base clock (3.50 GHz vs 2.70 GHz) and boost clock (3.90 GHz vs 3.60 GHz), yet these do not yield higher scores. The i7-5850HQ compensates with a smaller 14 nm process node versus 22 nm, and a larger die size of 182 mm² compared with 160 mm². The i7-5850HQ also has a higher memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s against 25.6 GB/s for the i7-3770K. These specification differences align with the benchmark results, where the i7-5850HQ’s architectural efficiency wins out.

For a buyer choosing strictly on performance, the i7-5850HQ is the pick. For a buyer prioritizing overclocking flexibility, the i7-3770K is the only option with an unlocked multiplier. The i7-5850HQ’s launch MSRP was $434, while the i7-3770K launched at $313. Neither processor is currently in production, as both are end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: Both have identical average scores of 1688, placing them at the same 40th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: How much faster is the i7-5850HQ in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i7-5850HQ scores 5836 versus 5542 for the i7-3770K, a 5% lead.

Q: Does the i7-3770K win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The i7-5850HQ wins all six benchmarks, with the i7-3770K trailing by 4.9% to 5.1% in each test.

Q: What is the difference in single-core performance in Cinebench R20?

A: The i7-5850HQ scores 345, while the i7-3770K scores 328, a 4.9% advantage for the i7-5850HQ.

Q: Which CPU has an unlocked multiplier?

A: The i7-3770K has an unlocked multiplier, while the i7-5850HQ does not.

Q: How do their memory bandwidth figures compare?

A: The i7-5850HQ has a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i7-3770K has 25.6 GB/s.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specifications. The i7-3770K has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz, while the i7-5850HQ runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Thermal design power differs substantially: the i7-3770K is rated at 77 W, the i7-5850HQ at 47 W. The socket is different as well, with the i7-3770K using Intel Socket 1155 and the i7-5850HQ using Intel BGA 1364.

The i7-3770K has an L3 cache of 8 MB (shared), while the i7-5850HQ has 6 MB (shared). L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively. The i7-3770K has a die size of 160 mm², while the i7-5850HQ is larger at 182 mm². The i7-3770K’s process node is 22 nm, whereas the i7-5850HQ uses 14 nm. The i7-3770K is listed with 1,400 million transistors, while the i7-5850HQ does not have a transistor count listed.

Memory bandwidth also differs: 25.6 GB/s for the i7-3770K versus 29.9 GB/s for the i7-5850HQ. The integrated graphics are different, with the i7-3770K featuring Intel HD 4000 and the i7-5850HQ featuring Iris Pro Graphics 6200. The i7-3770K has an unlocked multiplier; the i7-5850HQ does not. The i7-3770K’s part number is SR0PL, while the i7-5850HQ is SR2BH. The i7-3770K was released on 2012-04-28, and the i7-5850HQ on 2015-06-01. Both support DDR3 memory and have dual-channel memory buses, with PCIe Gen 3 and 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither supports ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The i7-3770K is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, while the i7-5850HQ uses Broadwell-H. This generational difference is reflected in the process node: 22 nm for Ivy Bridge versus 14 nm for Broadwell. The smaller node allows the i7-5850HQ to achieve higher performance despite lower clock speeds. The i7-3770K has a die size of 160 mm² and 1,400 million transistors, while the i7-5850HQ has a larger die of 182 mm² with no transistor count listed.

Both CPUs have 4 cores and 8 threads, with identical L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) caches. However, the L3 cache differs: the i7-3770K has 8 MB shared, while the i7-5850HQ has 6 MB shared. The i7-5850HQ’s smaller cache is offset by its architectural improvements and higher memory bandwidth (29.9 GB/s vs 25.6 GB/s).

The integrated graphics differ significantly: the i7-3770K has Intel HD 4000, while the i7-5850HQ has Iris Pro Graphics 6200. The i7-5850HQ also has a lower TDP of 47 W compared with 77 W for the i7-3770K, indicating better power efficiency per unit of performance. Both are end-of-life products, with the i7-3770K released in 2012 and the i7-5850HQ in 2015. The i7-3770K’s multiplier is unlocked, whereas the i7-5850HQ’s is locked, reflecting their different target markets despite both being listed as desktop segments.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-5850HQ wins every benchmark category in the head-to-head comparison. It is 5% faster in multi-core workloads (Cinebench R15, R20, and R23) and approximately 5% faster in single-core tests. This makes it the clear choice for any application that relies on CPU compute, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded. The consistent margin across all six tests suggests that the i7-5850HQ is simply the more capable processor in stock configuration.

The i7-3770K has no benchmark wins, but it does have a structural advantage: an unlocked multiplier. This means users can overclock the i7-3770K beyond its stock 3.90 GHz boost clock, potentially closing or reversing the 5% gap. The data does not include any overclocked results, so the extent of this advantage is unknown, but it is the only path by which the i7-3770K could outperform the i7-5850HQ.

The i7-5850HQ also excels in power efficiency, with a 47 W TDP versus 77 W for the i7-3770K. This lower power draw, combined with higher performance, makes it the better option for thermally constrained systems. The i7-3770K’s advantages are limited to its higher stock clocks (3.50/3.90 GHz vs 2.70/3.60 GHz) and larger L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), but these do not translate into benchmark wins. For users who value out-of-the-box performance and efficiency, the i7-5850HQ is the superior choice; for overclocking enthusiasts, the i7-3770K offers the only unlocked multiplier of the two.