Core i5-8500T vs Core i7-5950HQ

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 i5-8500T vs Core i7-5950HQ 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 i5-8500T vs Core i7-5950HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8500T

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 35W instead of 47W, a 12W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Core i7-5950HQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-5950HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i7-5950HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-5950HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +10.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,667 vs 7,730).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 9 MB).
❌34.3% higher power demand at 47W vs 35W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8500T can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-8500T.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-8500T better than Core i7-5950HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-5950HQ is ahead with a 10.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500T pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-8500T also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500T is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i5-8500T is the better buy right now. Core i5-8500T comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 0.8% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i7-5950HQ is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 10.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (40.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-8500T makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015), 50% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 6 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8500T vs Core i7-5950HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8500T

The Core i5-8500T is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,730 points. Launch price was $192.

Core i7-5950HQ

The Core i7-5950HQ 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 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 7,667 points. Launch price was $623.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-8500T packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Core i7-5950HQ offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500T has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-8500T versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-5950HQ — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i7-5950HQ (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-8500T uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-5950HQ uses Broadwell-H (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500T scores 7,730 against the Core i7-5950HQ's 7,667 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-8500T. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500T vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-5950HQ.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Core i7-5950HQ
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.8 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	2.9 GHz+38%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+50%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Broadwell-H (2015)
PassMark	7,730	7,667
Geekbench 6 Single	1,192	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500T uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-5950HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8500T	Core i7-5950HQ
Socket	LGA1151	BGA1364
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
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 i5-8500T) / not specified (Core i7-5950HQ). The Core i5-8500T includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-5950HQ requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500T targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500T rivals Ryzen 3 2200G.