Intel Core i7-5820K vs Intel Core i9-8950HK Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5820K and Intel Core i9-8950HK are two six-core, twelve-thread processors from different eras and market segments. The data shows they are remarkably close in average benchmark score, with the i7-5820K holding a 2642 average against the i9-8950HK’s 2641, a negligible 0.1% difference. Despite this statistical tie, the head-to-head results reveal a clear split: the mobile i9-8950HK wins seven of eight tests, while the desktop i7-5820K claims one decisive victory. The following analysis breaks down where each chip excels, answers common questions, and examines the architectural and specification gaps that explain the performance profiles.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i9-8950HK dominates the Cinebench suite across the board, though the margins are consistent rather than overwhelming. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i9-8950HK scores 884 against the i7-5820K’s 841, a 4.9% lead. The single-core R15 result shows a similar gap: 124 versus 118, a 4.8% advantage for the i9. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the i9-8950HK posts 3686 multicore and 520 single-core, while the i7-5820K manages 3508 and 495 respectively — both results a 4.8% difference. The R23 tests follow the same trajectory: the i9-8950HK scores 8777 multicore and 1239 single-core, beating the i7-5820K’s 8354 and 1179 by 4.8% in each case.

The Geekbench results tell a more nuanced story. In Geekbench single-core, the i9-8950HK extends its lead to 10.9%, scoring 1318 against the i7-5820K’s 1174. This is the largest single-core margin in the entire comparison, highlighting the i9’s superior per-thread performance. However, the i7-5820K strikes back hard in Geekbench multicore, winning by a substantial 19.4% with a score of 5464 versus the i9-8950HK’s 4577. This is the only test the i7-5820K wins, but it is a decisive one, suggesting that the older chip’s memory subsystem or other architectural factors give it a significant edge in this particular multi-threaded workload.

The overall win tally is lopsided: the i9-8950HK claims 7 wins, while the i7-5820K takes just 1. Yet the magnitude of the i7’s Geekbench multicore victory nearly offsets the i9’s consistent but smaller Cinebench wins. The average benchmark scores reflect this near-equilibrium, with both chips landing in the 49th percentile of all CPUs. For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering, the i9-8950HK is the clear choice; for Geekbench multicore workloads, the i7-5820K offers a surprising upset.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-5820K has an average benchmark score of 2642, while the Intel Core i9-8950HK scores 2641. The difference is only 0.1%, making them statistically equivalent.

Q: How does the i9-8950HK perform in single-core tests compared to the i7-5820K?

A: The i9-8950HK wins every single-core test. It leads by 4.8% in Cinebench R15 (124 vs 118), 4.8% in Cinebench R20 (520 vs 495), 4.8% in Cinebench R23 (1239 vs 1179), and 10.9% in Geekbench single-core (1318 vs 1174).

Q: Where does the i7-5820K outperform the i9-8950HK?

A: The i7-5820K wins only in Geekbench multicore, scoring 5464 against the i9-8950HK’s 4577. This represents a 19.4% advantage, the largest delta of any test in the comparison.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for both processors?

A: Both the Intel Core i7-5820K and the Intel Core i9-8950HK have 6 cores and 12 threads, making them identical in parallel thread capacity.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Yes, both the i7-5820K and the i9-8950HK have an unlocked multiplier, as indicated in the data.

Q: Do these processors include integrated graphics?

A: The i9-8950HK includes the UHD 630 integrated graphics. The i7-5820K has no integrated graphics listed in the data.

Architecture Differences

The two chips represent distinct architectural generations and physical designs. The i7-5820K is built on the Haswell architecture, specifically the Haswell-E variant, using a 22 nm process node. Its die size is 356 mm² and it packs 2,600 million transistors. In contrast, the i9-8950HK uses the Coffee Lake architecture (Coffee Lake-H codename) on a 14 nm process, with a significantly smaller die size of 149 mm². The transistor count for the i9-8950HK is not listed, but the die size reduction suggests a more efficient design.

Cache configurations differ notably. Both chips share the same per-core L1 (64 KB) and L2 (256 KB) cache sizes, but the shared L3 cache is smaller on the i9-8950HK at 12 MB, compared to 15 MB on the i7-5820K. This 3 MB difference could impact workloads that rely heavily on shared cache, though the i9’s higher clock speeds may compensate in many scenarios.

The memory controller also differs. The i7-5820K supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, whereas the i9-8950HK’s memory bus and bandwidth are not specified in the data. This quad-channel support is likely a key factor in the i7’s strong Geekbench multicore showing. Additionally, the i7-5820K offers PCIe Gen 3 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-8950HK’s PCIe configuration is not listed.

The integrated graphics situation is a clear differentiator: the i7-5820K has no integrated graphics, while the i9-8950HK includes Intel UHD 630. This makes the i9 a more self-contained solution for mobile systems, whereas the i7 requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Specification Differences

The specifications reveal how these chips target different use cases. The base clock speeds differ substantially: the i7-5820K runs at 3.30 GHz, while the i9-8950HK starts lower at 2.90 GHz. However, the boost clocks tell a different story — the i9-8950HK boosts up to 4.70 GHz, far exceeding the i7-5820K’s 3.60 GHz maximum. This 1.1 GHz boost advantage explains the i9’s single-core superiority.

Thermal design power (TDP) reflects the form-factor divide. The i7-5820K is a 140 W desktop part, while the i9-8950HK is rated at 95 W, a 45 W difference that makes the i9 more suitable for laptops. The sockets are incompatible: the i7 uses Intel Socket 2011-3, while the i9 uses Intel BGA 1440, which is typically soldered to mobile motherboards.

Market segments and release timing differ as well. The i7-5820K is a desktop processor released in 2014, while the i9-8950HK is a mobile processor released in 2018. Both are end-of-life and have no listed launch MSRP. The part numbers are SR20S for the i7-5820K and SRCKN for the i9-8950HK. Neither supports ECC memory, and both have an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but nuanced picture. The Intel Core i9-8950HK is the better all-around performer, winning seven of eight benchmarks. Its consistent 4.8% lead across all Cinebench versions, combined with a 10.9% edge in Geekbench single-core, makes it the superior choice for most workloads. The higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz against 3.60 GHz is the obvious driver of this performance advantage, despite the i9’s lower base clock and smaller L3 cache.

The Intel Core i7-5820K is not without merit. Its 19.4% victory in Geekbench multicore is the single largest margin in the comparison, and its quad-channel memory support and 68.3 GB/s bandwidth likely contribute to this result. For users running Geekbench-style multicore tasks, the i7-5820K offers a compelling counterpoint. Additionally, its desktop form factor with 28 PCIe Gen 3 lanes provides expansion options that the mobile i9 cannot match.

In practical terms, the choice depends on the platform. The i9-8950HK is designed for high-performance laptops, evidenced by its 95 W TDP, BGA 1440 socket, and integrated UHD 630 graphics. The i7-5820K is a desktop powerhouse with a 140 W TDP and Socket 2011-3, requiring a discrete GPU. The near-identical average benchmark scores (2642 vs 2641) suggest that either chip will deliver similar overall performance, but the i9-8950HK is the safer bet for users prioritizing single-core speed and Cinebench rendering. The i7-5820K is the pick for those who value multicore Geekbench performance and desktop expandability. Given the 7-to-1 win tally and the i9’s consistent margins, the Intel Core i9-8950HK is the data-backed winner for general use.