Core i7-5950HQ vs Core i7-8705G

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 i7-5950HQ vs Core i7-8705G 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 i7-5950HQ vs Core i7-8705G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-5950HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 47W instead of 65W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-8705G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-8705G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (7,633 vs 7,667).
❌Launch MSRP is still $400 MSRP, while Core i7-5950HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌38.3% higher power demand at 65W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-8705G better than Core i7-5950HQ?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-8705G is ahead with a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5950HQ pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i7-8705G also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5950HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-8705G is the better buy right now. Core i7-8705G comes in at an unclear MSRP at $400 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i7-5950HQ is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (19.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-8705G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-5950HQ vs Core i7-8705G Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i7-8705G

The Core i7-8705G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake G (2018) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA2270. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 7,633 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-5950HQ and Core i7-8705G share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-5950HQ versus 4.1 GHz on the Core i7-8705G — a 7.6% clock advantage for the Core i7-8705G (base: 2.9 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i7-5950HQ uses the Broadwell-H (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i7-8705G uses Kaby Lake G (2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5950HQ scores 7,667 against the Core i7-8705G's 7,633 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i7-5950HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-5950HQ vs 8 MB (total) on the Core i7-8705G.

Feature	Core i7-5950HQ	Core i7-8705G
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	4.1 GHz+8%
Base Clock	2.9 GHz	3.1 GHz+7%
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)	Kaby Lake G (2018)
PassMark	7,667	7,633

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5950HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-8705G uses FCBGA2270 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.