Intel Core i7-5950HQ vs Intel Xeon D-1548 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a clear sweep: the Intel Xeon D-1548 wins every recorded head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i7-5950HQ. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Xeon D-1548 holds a consistent lead of roughly 18.4% to 18.5%. This is not a narrow margin; it is a uniform advantage that appears in both single-core and multi-core workloads. The largest single-core gap is in Cinebench R15, where the Xeon D-1548 scores 109 against 92 for the Core i7-5950HQ, a delta of 18.5%. The multi-core results follow the same pattern: Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 777 versus 656, which is an 18.4% difference. The story repeats in Cinebench R20, with the Xeon D-1548 posting 3239 versus 2736, and in Cinebench R23, where the scores are 7713 versus 6516. Even the single-core R20 and R23 tests, which typically favor higher clock speeds, show the Xeon D-1548 ahead by 18.4% in both cases.

What makes this sweep notable is the underlying clock speed situation. The Core i7-5950HQ has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the Xeon D-1548 runs at 2.00 GHz base and 2.60 GHz boost. Despite the Core i7's higher frequencies, the Xeon D-1548 still wins every test. The explanation lies in core count and thread count: the Xeon D-1548 has 8 cores and 16 threads, double the 4 cores and 8 threads of the Core i7-5950HQ. The Xeon's larger L3 cache, 1.5 MB per core versus 6 MB shared, also contributes to its ability to outpace the higher-clocked mobile chip in these workloads.

Looking at the broader database context, the Xeon D-1548 sits at the 47th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 2231. The Core i7-5950HQ also sits at the 47th percentile, but its average score is lower at 2158. The nearest rivals for the Xeon D-1548 include the Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3 at 2227 (a delta of 0.2%) and the Intel Xeon D-1715TER at 2238 (a delta of -0.3%). For the Core i7-5950HQ, the nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-10200H at 2154 (0.2%) and the AMD Ryzen 3 3300X at 2148 (0.5%). These figures place both chips in a similar performance tier overall, but the head-to-head data is unambiguous: the Xeon D-1548 is the faster processor in every measured test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Xeon D-1548 wins all six recorded tests. The head-to-head data shows wins for the Xeon D-1548 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, R15 single-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The Core i7-5950HQ records zero wins.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multi-core tests?

A: The Xeon D-1548 leads by 18.4% in all three multi-core tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the scores are 777 versus 656. In R20 multi-core, the scores are 3239 versus 2736. In R23 multi-core, the scores are 7713 versus 6516.

Q: Does the Core i7-5950HQ win any single-core tests?

A: No. The Xeon D-1548 leads in single-core tests as well. The delta is 18.5% in Cinebench R15 single-core (109 versus 92) and 18.4% in both R20 single-core (457 versus 386) and R23 single-core (1089 versus 920).

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The Xeon D-1548 has an average benchmark score of 2231, while the Core i7-5950HQ has an average benchmark score of 2158. This gives the Xeon D-1548 a 73-point advantage in the database's aggregate metric.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The Xeon D-1548's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E5-4648 v3 with a score of 2227, a delta of 0.2%. The Core i7-5950HQ's nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-10200H with a score of 2154, also a delta of 0.2%. Both chips are closely matched to their respective competition.

Q: Is the Core i7-5950HQ still in production?

A: No. The production status for the Core i7-5950HQ is listed as "End-of-life." The Xeon D-1548, in contrast, has a production status of "Active."

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon D-1548 wins every benchmark category recorded in the database. This includes both multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests. For users running heavily threaded workloads such as rendering, compilation, or virtualization, the Xeon D-1548's 8 cores and 16 threads provide a direct advantage. The data shows an 18.4% lead in R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests. For workloads that rely on single-thread performance, the Xeon D-1548 also wins, though the margin is similar at 18.4% to 18.5%. This is surprising given the Core i7-5950HQ's higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus the Xeon's 2.60 GHz, but the benchmark results are consistent.

The Core i7-5950HQ has no wins in the head-to-head benchmarks. Its only potential advantage in the recorded data is its integrated graphics: it features Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the Xeon D-1548 has no integrated graphics listed. For a system requiring a discrete GPU, this is irrelevant. For a compact mobile workstation without a dedicated graphics card, the Core i7-5950HQ's integrated graphics could be a practical benefit, but this is not reflected in the benchmark scores. The Core i7-5950HQ also has a higher base clock (2.90 GHz) and boost clock (3.80 GHz), but these do not translate into any benchmark wins in the database.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ on several core specifications. The Xeon D-1548 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Core i7-5950HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds differ: the Xeon D-1548 runs at 2.00 GHz base and 2.60 GHz boost, while the Core i7-5950HQ runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The Xeon D-1548 has a TDP of 45 watts, the Core i7-5950HQ has a TDP of 47 watts. Socket types differ: the Xeon uses Intel BGA 1667, while the Core i7 uses Intel BGA 1364. Memory support also differs: the Xeon D-1548 supports DDR3 and DDR4, while the Core i7-5950HQ supports only DDR3. The memory bus is dual-channel for both, but the Core i7-5950HQ lists a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the Xeon D-1548 does not list a bandwidth figure. ECC memory support is present on the Xeon D-1548 but absent on the Core i7-5950HQ. PCIe lane counts differ: the Xeon provides 24 lanes (Gen 3), while the Core i7 provides 16 lanes (Gen 3). The Core i7-5950HQ includes integrated graphics (Iris Pro Graphics 6200), while the Xeon D-1548 lists none. The Xeon D-1548 has a launch MSRP of $555, while the Core i7-5950HQ has a launch MSRP of $623. Production status differs as well: the Xeon is active, while the Core i7 is end-of-life. Release dates are close, with the Xeon released on 2015-10-31 and the Core i7 on 2015-06-01.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Broadwell architecture and use the same 14 nm process node, but they target different market segments. The Xeon D-1548 is a server and workstation part, part of the Xeon D family (Broadwell-DE). The Core i7-5950HQ is a mobile processor, part of the Broadwell-H family. The Xeon D-1548 has a die size of 246 mm² and contains 3,200 million transistors. The Core i7-5950HQ has a smaller die size of 182 mm²; its transistor count is not listed in the database. The cache layouts differ significantly. The Xeon D-1548 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 1.5 MB of L3 per core. The Core i7-5950HQ also has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but its L3 cache is 6 MB shared across all cores. The Xeon's per-core L3 allocation means that with 8 cores, it has a total of 12 MB of L3, which is double the Core i7's shared 6 MB. The Xeon D-1548 supports ECC memory, which is typical for server and workstation parts, while the Core i7 does not. The Xeon also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the Core i7 is limited to DDR3. The market segments are reflected in the production status: the Xeon D-1548 is still active, while the Core i7-5950HQ is end-of-life. Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither supports overclocking. The part numbers are distinct: SR2DJ for the Xeon D-1548 and SR2BJ for the Core i7-5950HQ.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear choice for raw performance: the Intel Xeon D-1548 is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head tests with a consistent margin of about 18.4% to 18.5%. This is a decisive advantage, especially considering that the Core i7-5950HQ operates at higher clock speeds. The Xeon D-1548's 8 cores and 16 threads, combined with its larger L3 cache allocation, deliver superior results in both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. Users who prioritize compute performance should select the Xeon D-1548. Its active production status, ECC memory support, and dual memory type support (DDR3 and DDR4) also make it a more future-proof option for server and workstation environments.

The Core i7-5950HQ is not without reasons for consideration, but those reasons are not found in the benchmark data. Its integrated graphics, Iris Pro Graphics 6200, is a feature the Xeon D-1548 lacks. For a mobile system that needs to output video without a discrete GPU, this is a practical advantage. The Core i7 also has a higher base clock (2.90 GHz) and boost clock (3.80 GHz), which could benefit short-burst tasks that are not captured in the recorded tests. However, the database shows zero wins for the Core i7-5950HQ in the head-to-head comparison. Its end-of-life production status and lack of ECC support further limit its appeal for professional workloads. For users building a system around the recorded benchmarks, the Xeon D-1548 is the winner. For users who need integrated graphics in a mobile form factor, the Core i7-5950HQ offers that capability, but at a performance penalty of roughly 18% across all measured tests. Both processors sit at the 47th percentile in the database, so neither is a top-tier performer, but within this pairing, the Xeon D-1548 is the superior choice.