Core i7-5850HQ vs Core i7-7700HQ

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 i7-5850HQ vs Core i7-7700HQ 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 i7-5850HQ vs Core i7-7700HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-5850HQ

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,866 vs 6,880).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i7-7700HQ can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i7-7700HQ

2017

Why buy it

✅Draws 45W instead of 47W, a 2W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 630, while Core i7-5850HQ needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7700HQ better than Core i7-5850HQ?

Yes. Core i7-7700HQ is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.2% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-7700HQ is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.4% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7700HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-7700HQ still makes the most sense overall. Core i7-7700HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Core i7-7700HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2015) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-5850HQ vs Core i7-7700HQ Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-7700HQ

The Core i7-7700HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-H (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 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: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 6,880 points. Launch price was $378.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-5850HQ and Core i7-7700HQ share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-5850HQ versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-7700HQ — a 5.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-7700HQ (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i7-5850HQ uses the Broadwell-H (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-7700HQ uses Kaby Lake-H (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5850HQ scores 6,866 against the Core i7-7700HQ's 6,880 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i7-7700HQ. Both processors carry 6 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-5850HQ	Core i7-7700HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.8 GHz+6%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.8 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-H (2015)	Kaby Lake-H (2017)
PassMark	6,866	6,880

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5850HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-7700HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-5850HQ	Core i7-7700HQ
Socket	BGA1364	BGA1440
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: not specified (Core i7-5850HQ) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-7700HQ). The Core i7-7700HQ includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 630), while the Core i7-5850HQ requires a dedicated GPU.