Core i7-5850HQ vs Xeon E-2124

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 Xeon E-2124 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 Xeon E-2124: 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

✅Draws 47W instead of 71W, a 24W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,866 vs 6,915).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Xeon E-2124

2018

Why buy it

✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌51.1% higher power demand at 71W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E-2124 better than Core i7-5850HQ?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2124 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-5850HQ is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon E-2124 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.6% 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, Xeon E-2124 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E-2124 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E-2124 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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

Xeon E-2124 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015), 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 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 Xeon E-2124 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.

Xeon E-2124

The Xeon E-2124 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 31 May 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 71 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 6,915 points. Launch price was $193.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-5850HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, matching the Xeon E-2124's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-5850HQ versus 4.3 GHz on the Xeon E-2124 — a 17.7% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2124 (base: 2.7 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i7-5850HQ uses the Broadwell-H (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E-2124 uses Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5850HQ scores 6,866 against the Xeon E-2124's 6,915 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E-2124. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-5850HQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2124.

Feature	Core i7-5850HQ	Xeon E-2124
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	4.3 GHz+19%
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	3.3 GHz+22%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-H (2015)	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)
PassMark	6,866	6,915

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5850HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E-2124 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.