Intel Core i7-5950HQ vs Intel Core i7-8559U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a curious split. The Intel Core i7-8559U wins seven of the eight head-to-head benchmarks, yet the one loss is significant and revealing. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, the 8559U consistently leads by a narrow but uniform margin. The multicore scores show a delta of 7.2% across all three versions: 703 versus 656 in R15, 2933 versus 2736 in R20, and 6984 versus 6516 in R23. The single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern, with the 8559U ahead by 7.6% in R15 (99 versus 92) and 7.3% in R20 (414 versus 386). Even the R23 single-core test, which often favors newer architectures, shows the 8559U at 986 versus 920, a 7.2% lead.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench multicore, the older Core i7-5950HQ pulls ahead with a score of 4601 against 4293, a 6.7% advantage for the 5950HQ. This is the only benchmark where the Broadwell chip wins, and it is not a small margin. Geekbench single-core, however, goes back to the 8559U, which scores 1384 versus 1353, a 2.3% lead. The pattern suggests that the 8559U excels in sustained render workloads (Cinebench) while the 5950HQ handles Geekbench's multicore workload more effectively, possibly due to different memory or cache behavior under that specific test.

The average benchmark scores in the database reflect this mixed picture. The 8559U has an average score of 2225, placing it at the 47th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals are tightly clustered: the Core i7-5775C at 2224 (0% delta), the Xeon E5-4648 v3 at 2227 (-0.1%), the Xeon D-1548 at 2231 (-0.3%), and the Xeon D-1715TER at 2238 (-0.6%). The 5950HQ has a lower average of 2158, also at the 47th percentile. Its rivals include the Core i5-10200H at 2154 (0.2% delta), the Core i5-7640X at 2167 (-0.4%), the Ryzen 3 3300X at 2148 (0.5%), and the Core i5-1145G7E at 2174 (-0.7%). So while the 8559U wins more head-to-head tests, both chips sit in the same percentile tier, meaning the overall performance difference is modest in the broader CPU landscape.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins the majority of direct benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i7-8559U wins seven out of eight head-to-head benchmarks, including all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, both single and multicore) and Geekbench single-core. The only exception is Geekbench multicore, where the 5950HQ wins.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in either direction?

A: The largest gap in favor of the 8559U is 7.6%, seen in Cinebench R15 single-core (99 versus 92). The largest gap in favor of the 5950HQ is 6.7%, in Geekbench multicore (4601 versus 4293).

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

A: The 8559U scores 6984, which is 7.2% higher than the 5950HQ's 6516. This is the most recent render benchmark in the database, and the 8559U holds a consistent lead across all Cinebench versions.

Q: Are both CPUs in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 47th percentile of all CPUs. Despite the 8559U's higher average benchmark score (2225 versus 2158), the percentile ranking is identical, suggesting their overall standing among all processors is equivalent.

Q: Does the 5950HQ have any benchmark where it is clearly superior?

A: Yes, in Geekbench multicore, the 5950HQ scores 4601 versus 4293 for the 8559U, a 6.7% advantage. No other benchmark in the database shows a win for the 5950HQ.

Q: What does the Geekbench single-core result indicate?

A: The 8559U wins with 1384 versus 1353, a 2.3% margin. This is the smallest winning delta for the 8559U across all tests, indicating that in single-threaded workloads the two chips are very close.

Where Each One Wins

The 8559U is the clear winner for render workloads. All Cinebench tests, which are heavily threaded and stress sustained CPU performance, favor the 8559U by a consistent 7.2% to 7.6%. This includes both single-core and multicore variants, so the advantage is not just about core count or threading. The 8559U also wins Geekbench single-core, but by a much smaller margin of 2.3%, indicating that in light, short-duration single-threaded tasks, the difference is less pronounced.

The 5950HQ's only win is Geekbench multicore, where it leads by 6.7%. Geekbench's multicore test is known for its mix of integer, floating-point, and memory-intensive operations, and the 5950HQ's result suggests it handles that particular workload mix better. However, this is a single data point among eight. For users running Cinebench-type render tasks, the 8559U is consistently ahead. For users whose workloads resemble Geekbench's multicore pattern, the 5950HQ may offer a slight edge.

It is also worth noting the production status: the 8559U is marked as "Active" while the 5950HQ is "End-of-life." This does not affect current benchmark scores, but it implies that the 8559U is the more current option in the market.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specifications. The 8559U has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the 5950HQ has a higher base clock of 2.90 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The 8559U has a TDP of 28 watts, whereas the 5950HQ is rated at 47 watts. The sockets differ: the 8559U uses Intel BGA 1356, the 5950HQ uses Intel BGA 1364.

Memory support is different as well. The 8559U supports DDR4 memory, while the 5950HQ supports DDR3. The 5950HQ also lists a dual-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s; the 8559U has no memory bus or bandwidth figures in the database. The 5950HQ lists PCIe as "Gen 3, 16 Lanes(CPU only)", while the 8559U has no PCIe data recorded.

The integrated graphics differ: the 8559U has Iris Pro Plus, while the 5950HQ has Iris Pro Graphics 6200. The 5950HQ has a launch MSRP of $623, which is noted once here as a point of reference. The 8559U has no launch MSRP in the database.

Architecture Differences

Both CPUs are built on Intel's 14 nm process node, but they belong to different architectural generations. The 8559U is based on Kaby Lake, specifically the Kaby Lake-R codename, and is part of the Core i7 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) generation. The 5950HQ is based on Broadwell, with the codename Broadwell-H, and is part of the Core i7 (Broadwell-H) generation.

The die sizes differ notably: the 8559U has a die size of 123 mm², while the 5950HQ is significantly larger at 182 mm². The L3 cache also differs: the 8559U has 8 MB shared L3, while the 5950HQ has 6 MB shared L3. Both have the same L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) cache configurations.

The 8559U was released on April 4, 2018, while the 5950HQ was released on June 1, 2015. The 8559U is still marked as active production, while the 5950HQ is end-of-life. Neither CPU has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a supported feature for either. The 5950HQ has a listed part number (SR2BJ), while the 8559U does not.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for most workloads: the Intel Core i7-8559U is the stronger performer. It wins seven of eight head-to-head benchmarks, with particularly consistent leads in all Cinebench tests (7.2% to 7.6% across single and multicore, across three versions of the benchmark). Its higher boost clock (4.50 GHz versus 3.80 GHz) and larger L3 cache (8 MB versus 6 MB) likely contribute to this advantage. Its lower TDP (28 watts versus 47 watts) also makes it more efficient in the same performance envelope.

The 5950HQ is not without merit. Its Geekbench multicore win (6.7% ahead) suggests that in certain mixed workloads, the older Broadwell architecture and its higher base clock (2.90 GHz) can still compete. Its larger die size (182 mm² versus 123 mm²) and the presence of Iris Pro Graphics 6200 may also matter for specific use cases, though the database does not include graphics benchmarks.

For a buyer choosing between these two mobile chips today, the 8559U is the more sensible pick based on the recorded measurements. It is faster in the majority of tests, newer, active in production, and it consumes less power. The only reason to prefer the 5950HQ would be if a workload closely mirrors Geekbench multicore, where it holds a 6.7% advantage. But given that all six Cinebench tests favor the 8559U, and that the average benchmark score is higher for the 8559U (2225 versus 2158), the overall performance profile clearly favors the newer Kaby Lake part. The identical 47th percentile ranking is a reminder that both chips are mid-tier in the broader CPU market, but within this head-to-head, the 8559U is the winner.