Intel Core i7-5700HQ vs Intel Core i7-8560U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5700HQ and Intel Core i7-8560U are both 4-core, 8-thread processors from Intel, but they target very different usage scenarios despite their similar core counts. The 5700HQ is a Broadwell-H part with a 47W TDP designed for larger laptops, while the 8560U is a Whiskey Lake-U chip with a 15W TDP built for ultraportables. Benchmark data shows the 8560U wins every single head-to-head test, but the story is more nuanced when you consider the platforms they belong to and the workloads each was designed to handle.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-8560U wins all six head-to-head comparisons against the i7-5700HQ. In multi-core tests, the 8560U scores 568 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 519 for the 5700HQ, and it extends that lead to 5641 versus 5154 in Cinebench R23 multicore. The single-core results follow the same pattern, with the 8560U taking 796 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 727 for the 5700HQ. This is not a marginal victory — the 8560U is consistently about 8.6–8.7% faster across every benchmark listed.

However, the 5700HQ has its own arena where it wins: sustained performance in a larger chassis. With a 47W TDP versus 15W, the 5700HQ is designed to maintain its clocks under continuous load in a way that a 15W ultrabook chip cannot match over long rendering sessions. The 5700HQ also carries the "Desktop" market segment label, suggesting it was intended for all-in-one or larger portable systems where thermal headroom is less constrained. If your workload is short bursts of single-threaded activity, the 8560U is clearly better; if you need a processor that can grind through multi-hour encodes without thermal throttling, the 5700HQ's higher TDP budget gives it an advantage that raw benchmark scores do not capture.

Architecture Differences

These two chips come from different architectural generations and are built for different physical environments. The 5700HQ uses the Broadwell architecture (Broadwell-H codename) and was released on 2015-06-01, while the 8560U uses the Whiskey Lake architecture (Whiskey Lake-U codename) and arrived on 2018-09-30. Both are manufactured on Intel's 14nm process node, which means the underlying transistor density is the same, but the design priorities are completely different.

The 5700HQ has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and boosts to 3.50 GHz, with a 47W TDP. The 8560U has a much lower base clock of 1800.00 MHz (1.80 GHz) but a significantly higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz, all within a 15W TDP. This explains the benchmark results: the 8560U can spike to much higher frequencies for short periods, which is why it wins single-core tests decisively. The 5700HQ's higher base clock means it stays closer to its maximum performance without needing to ramp up, which is better for consistent multi-threaded throughput.

The cache configurations differ as well. The 5700HQ has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 8560U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. The larger L3 on the 8560U helps with the higher boost clocks, allowing more data to be held closer to the cores when the frequency ramps up. The integrated graphics also differ: the 5700HQ uses Intel HD 5600, while the 8560U uses UHD Graphics 620, which is a newer generation with better media capabilities.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data is remarkably consistent across all six benchmark comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 8560U scores 568 against 519 for the 5700HQ, a delta of -8.6% when measured from the 8560U's perspective. The single-core test shows 80 versus 73, a -8.7% difference. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result is 2369 versus 2164 (-8.7%), and single-core is 334 versus 305 (-8.7%). In Cinebench R23, multicore is 5641 versus 5154 (-8.6%), and single-core is 796 versus 727 (-8.7%).

These deltas are nearly identical across all tests, which suggests the 8560U's advantage comes from a consistent architectural improvement rather than a workload-specific edge. The 8560U is roughly 8.7% faster in every scenario, whether it is a single-threaded burst or a multi-threaded render. The 5700HQ's average benchmark score is 1645, with a percentile rank of 40 among all CPUs, while the 8560U's average score is 1631 with a percentile rank of 39. This means that despite the 8560U winning every head-to-head, the two chips are nearly identical in overall standing — the 5700HQ actually has a slightly higher average benchmark score (1645 vs 1631) because it also has Geekbench scores listed in its benchmark set.

The 5700HQ's nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6380 (delta 0.1%), Intel Core i5-5675R (delta -0.2%), AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G (delta 0.3%), and Intel Core i7-4810MQ (delta -0.4%). The 8560U's nearest rivals are the Intel Xeon E5-2623 v3 (delta 0.1%), Intel Pentium Gold G7400T (delta 0.2%), AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200G (delta -0.6%), and Intel Core i3-9100T (delta 0.7%). Both sit in the same performance tier, surrounded by chips that are within 1% of their average scores.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-5700HQ | Intel Core i7-8560U |

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

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 1800.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 47W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel BGA 1528 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Whiskey Lake |

| Codename | Broadwell-H | Whiskey Lake-U |

| Generation | Core i7 (Broadwell-H) | Core i7 (Whiskey Lake) |

| Die Size | 182 mm² | Not specified |

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

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | 38.4 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 5600 | UHD Graphics 620 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2015-06-01 | 2018-09-30 |

| Launch MSRP | $378 | Not specified |

| Part Number | SR2BP | SRGML |

The TDP difference is the most critical specification gap: 47W versus 15W is more than a 3x difference in power budget. This explains the socket difference (BGA 1364 vs BGA 1528) and the market segment labels. The 5700HQ is listed as "Desktop" even though it uses a mobile BGA socket, while the 8560U is clearly labeled "Mobile." The memory support also differs, with the 8560U supporting both DDR3 and DDR4, while the 5700HQ only supports DDR3. The 8560U also has higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-8560U wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 796 versus 727 for the 5700HQ, a -8.7% delta. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R15 (80 vs 73) and Cinebench R20 (334 vs 305).

Q: The 5700HQ has a higher TDP, does that mean it is faster in multi-core?

A: No. The 8560U still wins every multi-core test despite its 15W TDP. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 5641 versus 5154. The 5700HQ's 47W TDP does not translate to higher benchmark scores in these tests, though it may allow for more sustained performance in a properly cooled chassis.

Q: Are these processors comparable in overall performance?

A: Yes, they are extremely close in overall standing. The 5700HQ has an average benchmark score of 1645 and a percentile rank of 40, while the 8560U has an average score of 1631 and a percentile rank of 39. Despite the 8560U winning every head-to-head test, the 5700HQ's Geekbench scores (3129 multicore, 1085 single-core) pull its average slightly higher.

Q: Do these CPUs support the same memory types?

A: No. The 5700HQ only supports DDR3 memory, while the 8560U supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The 8560U also has higher memory bandwidth at 38.4 GB/s compared to 29.9 GB/s for the 5700HQ.

Q: Which chip has more cache?

A: The 8560U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 5700HQ has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, so the difference is only in the L3 cache.

Q: Are these processors still in production?

A: No, both are end-of-life. The 5700HQ was released on 2015-06-01, and the 8560U was released on 2018-09-30. Both have been discontinued.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear winner for raw performance: the Intel Core i7-8560U beats the i7-5700HQ in every benchmark listed, with a consistent ~8.7% advantage across single-core and multi-core tests. It achieves this while using a fraction of the power (15W versus 47W), which is a remarkable efficiency improvement from the newer Whiskey Lake architecture. If you are choosing between these two for a new build and only care about benchmark scores, the 8560U is the obvious pick.

However, the 5700HQ is not without its merits. Its higher TDP means it is designed for a larger chassis with better cooling, which can translate to more consistent performance in sustained workloads that push the CPU to its limits for hours. The 5700HQ also has a listed launch MSRP of $378, which gives it a defined market position, while the 8560U has no launch MSRP listed. The 5700HQ's Geekbench scores (3129 multicore, 1085 single-core) show it is competitive in different testing methodologies, and its average benchmark score of 1645 is actually slightly higher than the 8560U's 1631.

For a builder prioritizing efficiency, single-thread responsiveness, and modern memory support (DDR4), the 8560U is the better choice. For a builder who needs a processor that can sustain multi-hour workloads in a larger laptop or all-in-one system, the 5700HQ's 47W TDP and higher base clock of 2.70 GHz make it the more practical option, even if it loses in synthetic benchmarks. The 8560U wins the benchmark war, but the 5700HQ wins the sustained-load argument. Choose based on your chassis and workload, not just the numbers.