Intel Core i7-5850HQ vs Intel Xeon E-2124 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and by how much?

A: The Intel Core i7-5850HQ scores 5836, while the Intel Xeon E-2124 scores 5734. The i7 leads by 1.8% in that test.

Q: Does the Xeon E-2124 have any advantage in single-threaded workloads?

A: No. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i7-5850HQ posts 823 points versus the Xeon's 809, a 1.7% margin in favor of the i7. The Xeon's higher clock speeds do not overcome the i7's efficiency in these recorded tests.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2124 supports ECC memory, while the Core i7-5850HQ does not. This is a key feature difference for server or workstation reliability use cases.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E-2124 has a memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s (DDR4), while the i7-5850HQ offers 29.9 GB/s (DDR3). The Xeon's bandwidth is roughly 43% higher, a significant gap in memory-heavy tasks.

Q: Are these processors from the same generation or architecture?

A: No. The i7-5850HQ is based on Broadwell-H (14 nm, released in 2015), while the Xeon E-2124 uses Coffee Lake (14 nm, released in 2018). They share the same process node but different microarchitectures.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare, and what does that imply?

A: The i7-5850HQ has an average benchmark score of 1688, while the Xeon E-2124 averages 1658. The i7 sits 1.8% higher, and both occupy the 40th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they are performance peers overall.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel families and are built for different market segments. The Core i7-5850HQ is a Broadwell-H part, designed as a mobile-capable desktop chip with a BGA 1364 socket, while the Xeon E-2124 belongs to the Xeon E-2100 series, a Coffee Lake-S WS workstation part using the LGA 1151 socket. Both use a 14 nm process node from Intel, but their physical designs diverge: the i7 has a die size of 182 mm², whereas the Xeon's die is smaller at 126 mm².

Core and thread counts differ notably. The i7-5850HQ offers 4 cores and 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading, while the Xeon E-2124 is a 4-core, 4-thread part without SMT. This gives the i7 a logical thread advantage in multi-threaded rendering, though the Xeon compensates with higher base and boost clocks: 3.30 GHz and 4.30 GHz versus 2.70 GHz and 3.60 GHz for the i7. The Xeon also carries a higher TDP of 71 watts compared to 47 watts for the i7, reflecting its higher clocked, non-hyperthreaded design.

Cache allocation further separates them. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the L3 cache differs: the i7 has 6 MB shared, while the Xeon offers 8 MB shared. Memory support is a major architectural split. The i7 uses DDR3 with dual-channel bus and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth; the Xeon uses DDR4 with dual-channel and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i7, which aligns with its server/workstation classification.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i7-5850HQ features Iris Pro Graphics 6200, a more capable GPU for its era, while the Xeon E-2124 includes UHD Graphics P630, a basic embedded solution. Both processors provide PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), so expansion capability is identical. The i7 was released in June 2015 with a $434 launch MSRP, while the Xeon arrived in July 2018 with a $198 launch MSRP, and both are now end-of-life products in the database.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark results tell a consistent story: the Core i7-5850HQ wins every single head-to-head test, though by modest margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 588 against the Xeon's 577, a 1.9% lead. The single-core R15 test shows the i7 at 82 versus 81, a 1.2% edge. These are the smallest and largest deltas in the comparison, respectively.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The i7-5850HQ posts 2451 in multi-core, beating the Xeon's 2408 by 1.8%. In single-core R20, the i7 scores 345 versus 339, again a 1.8% gap. The most recent test, Cinebench R23, shows the i7 at 5836 in multi-core against 5734 for the Xeon, a 1.8% advantage. Single-core R23 has the i7 at 823 versus 809, a 1.7% lead.

The data indicates a total of 6 wins for the i7-5850HQ and 0 for the Xeon E-2124. The margins are narrow, never exceeding 1.9%, but they are consistent across all three Cinebench versions. This consistency suggests the i7's hyperthreading and architecture provide a small but reliable performance edge in both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The Xeon's higher clocks (4.30 GHz boost versus 3.60 GHz) do not translate into benchmark victories, likely due to the i7's superior per-clock efficiency or thermal design.

When contextualizing these results, the average benchmark scores reinforce the head-to-head outcome. The i7's 1688 average places it exactly even with the Intel Core i7-3770K (0% delta), and 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i5-4690K. The Xeon's 1658 average is 0.1% behind the Intel Core i7-4770HQ and 0.4% behind the Intel Core i5-7600T. Both CPUs sit at the 40th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are not top-tier parts but represent solid mid-range performers.

The Verdict

From the recorded data, the Intel Core i7-5850HQ is the outright benchmark winner, taking all six head-to-head tests. Its margins range from 1.2% to 1.9%, which is small but absolutely consistent across every Cinebench iteration. Anyone prioritizing raw Cinebench performance should choose the i7, as it delivers higher scores in both multi-core and single-core tests without exception.

However, the Xeon E-2124 is not without purpose. The data shows it offers ECC memory support, a feature entirely absent from the i7-5850HQ. For workloads where data integrity and error correction are non-negotiable, such as long-running server processes or financial calculations, the Xeon's ECC capability outweighs its slight performance deficit. The Xeon also provides higher memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s versus 29.9 GB/s), which could benefit memory-bound tasks even if Cinebench does not show it.

The i7-5850HQ, by contrast, has no ECC support but includes a more substantial integrated GPU (Iris Pro Graphics 6200) and a lower TDP (47 watts versus 71 watts). The database shows the i7 also has hyperthreading, giving it 8 threads versus 4, which likely explains its multi-core wins. For a desktop user who wants better thread utilization and lower power draw, the i7 is the stronger choice. For a workstation administrator who needs ECC and higher memory throughput, the Xeon is the appropriate pick, accepting a 1.8% average benchmark deficit.

Both processors are end-of-life, so availability and platform support are historical considerations. The i7's BGA 1364 socket means it is soldered, while the Xeon's Socket 1151 allows traditional mounting. The data does not favor one universally; it depends on whether benchmark performance or feature set (ECC, memory bandwidth) matters more for the intended workload.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-5850HQ | Intel Xeon E-2124 |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base clock | 2.70 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 47 W | 71 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Broadwell | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Broadwell-H | Coffee Lake-S WS |

| Generation | Core i7 (Broadwell-H) | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) |

| Die size | 182 mm² | 126 mm² |

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

| Memory support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory bandwidth | 29.9 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC memory | false | true |

| Integrated graphics | Iris Pro Graphics 6200 | UHD Graphics P630 |

| Market segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release date | 2015-06-01 | 2018-07-11 |

| Launch MSRP | $434 | $198 |

| Part number | SR2BH | SR3WQ |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-5850HQ wins in every Cinebench benchmark category. It leads multi-core R15 by 1.9%, single-core R15 by 1.2%, multi-core R20 by 1.8%, single-core R20 by 1.8%, multi-core R23 by 1.8%, and single-core R23 by 1.7%. This makes it the clear choice for applications that mirror Cinebench's rendering workloads, particularly those that can utilize its 8 threads. The i7 also wins on power efficiency, with a 47 watt TDP versus the Xeon's 71 watts, and it includes a more capable integrated GPU in Iris Pro Graphics 6200.

The Intel Xeon E-2124 wins on features that benchmarks do not capture. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for error-sensitive server and workstation workloads, and it delivers higher memory bandwidth at 42.7 GB/s compared to 29.9 GB/s for the i7. The Xeon also has a larger L3 cache (8 MB versus 6 MB) and higher clock speeds (4.30 GHz boost versus 3.60 GHz), which could provide advantages in single-threaded tasks not represented by the Cinebench suite. Its smaller die size (126 mm² versus 182 mm²) and lower launch MSRP ($198 versus $434) are additional differentiators, though the data does not tie these directly to performance.

For a user building a workstation where Cinebench-style multi-threaded rendering is the primary task, the i7-5850HQ is the proven winner. For a user running a server that demands ECC memory and higher memory bandwidth, the Xeon E-2124 is the functional choice, even at the cost of slightly lower benchmark scores. The database shows no scenario where the Xeon out-scores the i7, but its feature set carves out a distinct niche that the i7 cannot fill.