Core i5-7600K vs Core i7-5850HQ

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-7600K vs Core i7-5850HQ FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-7600K vs Core i7-5850HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-7600K

2017

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 630, while Core i7-5850HQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,813 vs 6,866).
❌Launch MSRP is still $217 MSRP, while Core i7-5850HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌93.6% higher power demand at 91W vs 47W.

Core i7-5850HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 47W instead of 91W, a 44W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-7600K can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7600K better than Core i7-5850HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-7600K is ahead with a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5850HQ pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5850HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-7600K is the better buy right now. Core i5-7600K comes in at an unclear MSRP at $217 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-5850HQ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (31.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-7600K makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-7600K vs Core i7-5850HQ Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-7600K

The Core i5-7600K is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.8 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 91 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,813 points. Launch price was $242.

Core i7-5850HQ

The Core i7-5850HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell-H (2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1364. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,866 points. Launch price was $434.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-7600K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-5850HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Core i5-7600K versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-5850HQ — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i5-7600K (base: 3.8 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-7600K uses the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-5850HQ uses Broadwell-H (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-7600K scores 6,813 against the Core i7-5850HQ's 6,866 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i7-5850HQ. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Core i7-5850HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz+17%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.8 GHz+41%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)	Broadwell-H (2015)
PassMark	6,813	6,866
Cinebench R23 Multi	4,143	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,100	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	3,800	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-7600K uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5850HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-7600K	Core i7-5850HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2400	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-7600K) / not specified (Core i7-5850HQ). The Core i5-7600K includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-5850HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-7600K targets Gaming/Desktop.