Intel Core i7-5950HQ vs Intel Xeon E-2224G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a surprisingly consistent picture across most tests, with the Intel Core i7-5950HQ taking seven of the eight recorded head-to-head wins. The largest margin comes from Geekbench multi-core, where the i7-5950HQ scores 4601 against the Xeon E-2224G's 4299, a 7% advantage. This is the only test where the gap exceeds 2.2%, and it reflects the i7's superior multi-threaded throughput.

In the Cinebench suite, the i7-5950HQ leads every time, but by narrow margins. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 656 versus 644, a 1.9% edge. Single-core in the same test is 92 versus 90, a 2.2% win. Cinebench R20 multi-core is 2736 against 2687, a 1.8% difference. R20 single-core is 386 versus 379, also 1.8%. Cinebench R23 follows the same pattern: multi-core 6516 versus 6398 (1.8%), single-core 920 versus 903 (1.9%). These are tight results, but they are consistent across all rendering workloads.

The one clear victory for the Xeon E-2224G comes in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1535 against the i7-5950HQ's 1353. That is an 11.9% deficit for the i7, the largest swing in either direction across all tests. The Xeon's higher boost clock appears to pay off in lightly threaded workloads that respond to raw frequency.

Average benchmark scores place the two very close: the i7-5950HQ averages 2158, while the Xeon E-2224G averages 2117. The i7 sits at the 47th percentile of all CPUs in the database, and the Xeon at the 46th. Their nearest rivals reflect this similarity. The i7-5950HQ is within 0.7% of the Intel Core i5-7640X, AMD Ryzen 3 3300X, Intel Core i5-10200H, and Intel Core i5-1145G7E. The Xeon E-2224G is within 0.4% of the Intel Atom C5125, Intel Core i7-1160G7, Intel Core i5-8500T, and Intel Core i5-8259U.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's 14 nm process, but they come from different architectural families. The i7-5950HQ uses the Broadwell-H architecture, specifically the Broadwell-H codename, and belongs to the Core i7 (Broadwell-H) generation. The Xeon E-2224G uses the Coffee Lake architecture, with the codename Coffee Lake-S WS, and belongs to the Xeon E (Coffee Lake) generation.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i7-5950HQ has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Xeon E-2224G has 4 cores and 4 threads. This means the i7 can process two threads per core, while the Xeon is limited to one thread per core. The i7's Hyper-Threading capability contributes directly to its multi-core benchmark wins.

Clock speeds favor the Xeon. The i7-5950HQ runs at a 2.90 GHz base clock and 3.80 GHz boost clock. The Xeon E-2224G runs at a 3.50 GHz base and 4.70 GHz boost. The Xeon's 0.90 GHz higher boost clock explains its Geekbench single-core victory.

Cache layouts are similar in the lower levels but differ at L3. Both have 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core. The i7-5950HQ has 6 MB shared L3, while the Xeon E-2224G has 8 MB shared L3. The Xeon's larger L3 cache is a notable advantage for data-heavy workloads, though it does not translate into multi-core benchmark wins.

Die size is another point of differentiation. The i7-5950HQ measures 182 mm², while the Xeon E-2224G is smaller at 126 mm². Both use Intel's 14 nm process and have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

Memory support differs completely. The i7-5950HQ supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon E-2224G supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, while the i7 does not. The Xeon's higher memory bandwidth is a clear architectural advantage for memory-sensitive tasks.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i7-5950HQ includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200, while the Xeon E-2224G includes HD Graphics P630. Both are suitable for basic display output, but the i7's Iris Pro line is positioned for better integrated performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ wins in every multi-core scenario recorded. Its 8 threads give it a decisive advantage in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests, as well as Geekbench multi-core. The data shows a 1.8% to 7% lead across these workloads. For rendering, video encoding, compilation, or any task that scales with thread count, the i7-5950HQ is the better choice.

The i7-5950HQ also wins all four single-core Cinebench tests, despite the Xeon's higher clock speed. The margins are small (1.8% to 2.2%), but they are consistent. This suggests the i7's architecture extracts more performance per clock in these specific workloads.

The Intel Xeon E-2224G wins decisively in Geekbench single-core, with an 11.9% margin. This is the clearest result in the entire comparison. For single-threaded applications that respond strongly to clock speed, such as certain legacy software, spreadsheet macros, or some database queries, the Xeon's 4.70 GHz boost clock is a tangible benefit.

The Xeon also offers features that the i7 lacks, though these are not benchmark wins. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for data integrity in server and workstation environments. It has a larger L3 cache at 8 MB, and it supports DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth versus the i7's 29.9 GB/s. For memory-heavy workloads that are not covered by the recorded benchmarks, the Xeon could be preferable.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core i7-5950HQ leads in every multi-core benchmark. It scores 656 versus 644 in Cinebench R15, 2736 versus 2687 in R20, and 6516 versus 6398 in R23. The largest multi-core margin is in Geekbench, where it scores 4601 versus 4299, a 7% lead.

Q: Which CPU has the higher clock speed?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2224G has a 3.50 GHz base clock and 4.70 GHz boost clock. The Intel Core i7-5950HQ has a 2.90 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The Xeon's boost clock is 0.90 GHz higher.

Q: Does the Xeon E-2224G support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2224G supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-5950HQ does not support ECC memory. This is a key feature for server and workstation reliability.

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-5950HQ has 8 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2224G has 4 threads. Both have 4 cores. The i7's extra threads allow it to handle more concurrent work.

Q: Why does the Xeon win Geekbench single-core?

A: The Xeon E-2224G scores 1535 in Geekbench single-core versus the i7-5950HQ's 1353, an 11.9% lead. This is likely due to its higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz, which benefits single-threaded workloads.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The Xeon E-2224G supports DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-5950HQ supports DDR3 memory with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth. The Xeon offers 42.8% more memory bandwidth.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the Intel Core i7-5950HQ and the Intel Xeon E-2224G:

• Threads: 8 (i7-5950HQ) versus 4 (E-2224G)
• Base Clock: 2.90 GHz (i7-5950HQ) versus 3.50 GHz (E-2224G)
• Boost Clock: 3.80 GHz (i7-5950HQ) versus 4.70 GHz (E-2224G)
• TDP: 47 W (i7-5950HQ) versus 71 W (E-2224G)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1364 (i7-5950HQ) versus Intel Socket 1151 (E-2224G)
• Architecture: Broadwell (i7-5950HQ) versus Coffee Lake (E-2224G)
• Codename: Broadwell-H (i7-5950HQ) versus Coffee Lake-S WS (E-2224G)
• Generation: Core i7 (Broadwell-H) versus Xeon E (Coffee Lake)
• Die Size: 182 mm² (i7-5950HQ) versus 126 mm² (E-2224G)
• L3 Cache: 6 MB shared (i7-5950HQ) versus 8 MB shared (E-2224G)
• Memory Support: DDR3 (i7-5950HQ) versus DDR4 (E-2224G)
• Memory Bandwidth: 29.9 GB/s (i7-5950HQ) versus 42.7 GB/s (E-2224G)
• ECC Memory: No (i7-5950HQ) versus Yes (E-2224G)
• Integrated Graphics: Iris Pro Graphics 6200 (i7-5950HQ) versus HD Graphics P630 (E-2224G)
• Market Segment: Mobile (i7-5950HQ) versus Server/Workstation (E-2224G)
• Release Date: 2015-06-01 (i7-5950HQ) versus 2019-05-28 (E-2224G)
• Launch MSRP: $623 (i7-5950HQ) versus $213 (E-2224G)
• Part Number: SR2BJ (i7-5950HQ) versus SRFAW (E-2224G)

The Verdict

The benchmark data is clear on raw performance: the Intel Core i7-5950HQ wins 7 of 8 recorded tests. Its 8 threads give it a consistent edge in all multi-core workloads, and it even edges out the Xeon in every Cinebench single-core test. If you prioritize rendering or any thread-scalable workload, the i7-5950HQ is the stronger choice.

The Intel Xeon E-2224G has one decisive victory: Geekbench single-core, where it leads by 11.9%. It also offers architectural benefits that are not captured in these benchmarks. It supports ECC memory, crucial for data integrity in servers. It uses DDR4 memory with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth versus the i7's 29.9 GB/s. It has a larger 8 MB L3 cache and a higher 4.70 GHz boost clock. Its market segment is server and workstation, while the i7-5950HQ is mobile.

The Xeon also has a lower launch MSRP of $213 versus the i7's $623, though pricing should not be the sole factor. The Xeon's higher TDP of 71 W versus 47 W means it draws more power, but it is designed for socketed workstation boards rather than mobile use.

Choose the i7-5950HQ if your workload is multi-threaded and you need the highest recorded benchmark scores. Choose the Xeon E-2224G if you need ECC memory, DDR4 support, higher memory bandwidth, or the best single-core Geekbench score. The Xeon's 4.70 GHz boost clock is the single biggest frequency advantage in this comparison, and it shows in the one test it wins.