Intel Core i7-5700HQ vs Intel Core i7-6700TE Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between these two processors is lopsided but not one-sided. The Intel Core i7-6700TE takes seven of the eight recorded head-to-head wins, while the Intel Core i7-5700HQ manages a single victory in Geekbench single-core. This distribution reflects two different design philosophies: the 6700TE leans on the Skylake architecture's efficiency, while the 5700HQ counters with a higher base clock and a more aggressive boost in single-threaded workloads.

For multi-threaded rendering, the 6700TE is the clear choice. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, it holds a consistent 2.3% advantage over the 5700HQ. That margin may look modest in percentage terms, but it appears in every Cinebench iteration, which suggests a structural edge rather than measurement noise. The 6700TE posts 531 in R15 multicore versus 519, 2214 in R20 multicore versus 2164, and 5273 in R23 multicore versus 5154. Users running CPU-bound production tasks will see the 6700TE finish ahead.

Single-threaded performance is where the story gets interesting. The 6700TE wins Cinebench single-core tests in R15 (74 versus 73), R20 (312 versus 305), and R23 (744 versus 727), each by 2.3%. But in Geekbench single-core, the 5700HQ flips the script with a 5.3% advantage, scoring 1085 against 1028. This divergence suggests the 5700HQ's higher boost clock (3.50 GHz versus 3.40 GHz) helps in certain workloads, while the 6700TE's Skylake microarchitecture responds better to Cinebench's specific instruction patterns.

The 6700TE is also the more practical choice for sustained workloads. Its 35 W TDP is notably lower than the 5700HQ's 47 W, which means less heat generation and potentially better sustained performance in thermally constrained environments. The 5700HQ is end-of-life in production status, while the 6700TE remains active, so the 6700TE has a longer operational horizon.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core i7-6700TE wins all three Cinebench multicore tests. It scores 531 versus 519 in R15, 2214 versus 2164 in R20, and 5273 versus 5154 in R23, each a 2.3% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-5700HQ win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it takes Geekbench single-core with a score of 1085 against the 6700TE's 1028, a 5.3% margin. That is its only win across the eight recorded benchmarks.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two CPUs?

A: The 6700TE has a 35 W TDP, while the 5700HQ has a 47 W TDP. The 6700TE draws less power on paper, which can matter for cooling and power supply requirements.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads. They also share the same 14 nm process node and both have a dual-channel memory bus.

Q: Which CPU supports DDR4 memory?

A: Only the Intel Core i7-6700TE supports DDR4. The Intel Core i7-5700HQ supports DDR3, and the 6700TE also has a higher memory bandwidth at 34.1 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The 6700TE has an average benchmark score of 1666, while the 5700HQ has 1645. Both sit at the 40th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The eight recorded benchmarks show a clear pattern of narrow but consistent wins for the 6700TE, with one notable exception. Starting with Cinebench R15 multicore, the 6700TE scores 531 against 519 for the 5700HQ, a 2.3% delta. The single-core R15 result is closer: 74 versus 73, also a 1.4% delta in favor of the 6700TE.

Cinebench R20 follows the same script. The multicore test shows 2214 for the 6700TE versus 2164 for the 5700HQ, a 2.3% advantage. Single-core R20 gives 312 versus 305, again 2.3%. Cinebench R23 multicore continues the trend with 5273 against 5154, and R23 single-core with 744 versus 727, both at the same 2.3% delta.

Geekbench multicore narrows the gap. The 6700TE scores 3154, the 5700HQ scores 3129, a 0.8% win for the 6700TE. But Geekbench single-core breaks the streak. The 5700HQ posts 1085 against 1028, a 5.3% victory, the largest margin in either direction across all tests.

The aggregate picture is clear: the 6700TE wins seven benchmarks with deltas ranging from 0.8% to 2.3%, while the 5700HQ's single win comes with a 5.3% margin. The 6700TE's average benchmark score of 1666 also edges out the 5700HQ's 1645, a 1.3% gap. Both processors sit at the 40th percentile, meaning they land in the same performance tier overall, but the 6700TE is the more consistent performer across the tested workload mix.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several key specifications. The 6700TE uses an Intel Socket 1151, while the 5700HQ uses an Intel BGA 1364, so they are not socket-compatible. The 6700TE has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the 5700HQ runs at 2.70 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. The 5700HQ's higher clocks explain its Geekbench single-core win, though the 6700TE still manages to win Cinebench single-core despite lower clocks.

TDP differs significantly: 35 W for the 6700TE versus 47 W for the 5700HQ. Memory support also diverges, with the 6700TE on DDR4 and the 5700HQ on DDR3. Memory bandwidth reflects this: 34.1 GB/s for the 6700TE, 29.9 GB/s for the 5700HQ. The 6700TE has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 5700HQ has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The 6700TE pairs with HD Graphics 530, the 5700HQ with Intel HD 5600. The 5700HQ has a die size of 182 mm², while the 6700TE has no recorded die size. Production status separates them: the 6700TE is active, the 5700HQ is end-of-life. The 5700HQ has a launch MSRP of $378, while the 6700TE has no recorded launch MSRP. Both are locked (multiplier not unlocked), and both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Architecture Differences

Architecturally, these are two different Intel microarchitectures on the same process node. The 6700TE uses Skylake, while the 5700HQ uses Broadwell-H. Both are built on Intel's 14 nm process, but the microarchitectural changes between Broadwell and Skylake account for the benchmark differences.

The cache hierarchy is the most concrete architectural difference. The 6700TE has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, which is 2 MB more than the 5700HQ's 6 MB. In memory-heavy workloads, that extra cache can reduce accesses to system memory, which may explain the 6700TE's consistent Cinebench wins despite the 5700HQ's higher clock speeds.

Memory architecture also differs. The 6700TE's DDR4 support with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth gives it a theoretical memory throughput advantage over the 5700HQ's DDR3 at 29.9 GB/s. In the database's recorded tests, this does not translate into a large benchmark gap, but it does favor the 6700TE for future-proofing and memory-intensive applications.

The integrated GPU differs between the two, with HD Graphics 530 on the 6700TE and HD 5600 on the 5700HQ. Neither processor is unlocked for overclocking, so the recorded boost clocks are the maximum achievable. The 5700HQ's 47 W TDP and BGA socket suggest a mobile-oriented design, while the 6700TE's 35 W TDP and Socket 1151 point to a low-power desktop or embedded role. Despite the market segment both being listed as desktop, the 5700HQ's BGA package and higher TDP indicate a different thermal envelope.

Both processors share the same core and thread configuration (4 cores, 8 threads), the same 14 nm node, and the same PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. ECC memory is not supported on either. The 6700TE's newer Skylake generation and active production status give it a longevity advantage over the end-of-life Broadwell-H part, which is a practical consideration for system builders planning multi-year deployments.