Intel Core i7-5820K vs Intel Core i7-8850H Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5820K and Intel Core i7-8850H are both six-core, twelve-thread processors, but they are separated by four years of architectural evolution and entirely different market segments. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the mobile Coffee Lake-H chip wins seven of eight head-to-head comparisons, while the desktop Haswell-E part claims a single, significant victory in Geekbench multicore. The data indicates that the 8850H is the superior all-around performer for most tasks, but the 5820K retains a specific advantage in one workload that points to its desktop heritage.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-8850H is the dominant processor in the seven of eight benchmark comparisons, establishing a consistent lead across both Cinebench and single-core Geekbench tests. Its victories are narrow but uniform, ranging from a 1.7% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core to a 9.7% lead in Geekbench single-core. This pattern suggests that the 8850H's higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz, compared to the 5820K's 3.60 GHz, provides a meaningful advantage in latency-sensitive and lightly threaded workloads. The 8850H wins every Cinebench iteration, from R15 through R23, in both single and multi-core tests, which indicates a well-rounded performance profile that excels in rendering and content creation tasks.

The i7-5820K's single win comes in Geekbench multicore, where it scores 5464 against the 8850H's 4765, a substantial 14.7% margin. This is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head dataset and suggests that the 5820K's older Haswell architecture, despite its lower clock speeds, manages to outperform in this specific synthetic workload. The 5820K's quad-channel memory bus, which provides 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, likely contributes to this result, as Geekbench's multicore test can be sensitive to memory throughput. This is the only test where the 5820K leads, but the margin is large enough to indicate a genuine architectural strength rather than a statistical anomaly.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different eras of Intel design. The 5820K is built on the 22 nm Haswell-E architecture, featuring a die size of 356 mm² and 2,600 million transistors. It uses the Intel Socket 2011-3 platform and is classified as a desktop part with a 140 W TDP. The 8850H, in contrast, is a 14 nm Coffee Lake-H mobile processor with a die size of 149 mm² and no listed transistor count. It uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket and carries a 45 W TDP, reflecting its intended use in laptops.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the 5820K has 15 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 8850H has 12 MB. This 3 MB difference could influence performance in workloads that benefit from larger on-die caches. Memory support also diverges: the 5820K supports quad-channel DDR4 with a specified memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the 8850H's memory bus and bandwidth are not listed in the data. The 5820K also offers 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), whereas the 8850H's PCIe configuration is not specified.

The integrated graphics situation is another clear differentiator. The 8850H includes UHD 630 graphics, while the 5820K has no integrated graphics at all. The 5820K compensates with an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the 8850H's multiplier is locked. Both processors are end-of-life, with the 5820K released in August 2014 and the 8850H in April 2018. Neither supports ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a remarkably consistent pattern of the 8850H winning by roughly 1.8-1.9% across all tests. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the 8850H scores 857 against the 5820K's 841, a 1.9% lead. The single-core R15 test shows 120 versus 118, a 1.7% margin. This consistency continues in R20, where the 8850H leads 3574 to 3508 in multicore and 504 to 495 in single-core, both at 1.8%. The R23 results mirror this exactly, with the 8850H winning 8511 to 8354 in multicore and 1201 to 1179 in single-core, again at 1.8% margins.

The Geekbench results break this pattern dramatically. In Geekbench single-core, the 8850H wins 1300 to 1174, a 9.7% advantage that is significantly larger than the Cinebench deltas. This suggests that the 8850H's higher boost clock is particularly effective in Geekbench's single-threaded test, which likely rewards higher frequencies more than other factors. However, in Geekbench multicore, the 5820K reverses the trend with a decisive 5464 to 4765 win, a 14.7% margin. This is the only benchmark where the 5820K leads, and the margin is substantial. The average benchmark scores reflect this split: the 5820K has an average score of 2642, while the 8850H scores 2604, placing the 5820K marginally ahead overall despite losing seven of eight tests. Both processors sit at the 49th percentile among all CPUs.

The 5820K's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon E-2274G (average score 2643, 0% delta) and the Intel Core i9-8950HK (2641, 0.1% delta). The 8850H's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE (2596, 0.3% delta) and the Intel Xeon E-2174G (2588, 0.6% delta). These comparisons show both CPUs performing in a similar competitive tier, though the 5820K's average score is slightly higher.

The Verdict

The data makes a clear case for the i7-8850H as the better all-around processor for most users. It wins seven of eight benchmarks, including every Cinebench test and Geekbench single-core, with a consistent 1.7-1.9% edge in rendering workloads and a 9.7% lead in single-core Geekbench. Its higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz, lower 45 W TDP, and integrated UHD 630 graphics make it a more versatile and efficient choice for mobile systems. The 8850H's locked multiplier is a minor drawback, but its stock performance already exceeds the 5820K in the majority of tests.

The i7-5820K is the pick only for users who prioritize the specific Geekbench multicore workload, where it holds a 14.7% advantage. Its quad-channel memory bus, delivering 68.3 GB/s of bandwidth, and 15 MB of L3 cache likely drive this result. The unlocked multiplier also offers overclocking potential that the 8850H cannot match. For desktop builders who value memory bandwidth and overclocking headroom, the 5820K remains relevant despite its age. However, for anyone seeking the best stock performance across a broad range of benchmarks, the 8850H is the superior choice.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-8850H has a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, while the Intel Core i7-5820K has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz.

Q: What is the largest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest delta is in Geekbench multicore, where the i7-5820K scores 5464 against the i7-8850H's 4765, a 14.7% lead for the 5820K.

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

A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-8850H includes UHD 630 integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i7-5820K has no integrated graphics.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i7-8850H scores 8511, while the i7-5820K scores 8354, giving the 8850H a 1.8% lead.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-5820K has a 140 W TDP, while the i7-8850H has a 45 W TDP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-5820K | Intel Core i7-8850H |

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

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 140 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011-3 | Intel BGA 1440 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Coffee Lake |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 356 mm² | 149 mm² |

| Transistors | 2,600 million | Not listed |

| L3 Cache | 15 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Not listed |

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD 630 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Part Number | SR20S | SR3YZ |

| Release Date | 2014-08-31 | 2018-04-01 |