Core i7-5950HQ vs Xeon E5-2620 v3

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 Xeon E5-2620 v3 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 Xeon E5-2620 v3: 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

✅Draws 47W instead of 85W, a 38W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2620 v3 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,667 vs 7,734).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 15 MB).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2620 v3, which brings 6 cores / 12 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2620 v3

2014

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 6 cores / 12 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $417 MSRP, while Core i7-5950HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌80.9% higher power demand at 85W vs 47W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2620 v3 better than Core i7-5950HQ?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2620 v3 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-5950HQ 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 E5-2620 v3 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 8.7% 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 E5-2620 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.9% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 150% larger total L3 cache (15 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Xeon E5-2620 v3 is the better buy right now. Xeon E5-2620 v3 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $417 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (18.5 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-5950HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2014). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i7-5950HQ vs Xeon E5-2620 v3 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.

Xeon E5-2620 v3

The Xeon E5-2620 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014−2015) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 15 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 85 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-1600, DDR4-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 7,734 points. Launch price was $800.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-5950HQ packs 4 cores / 8 threads, while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Xeon E5-2620 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-5950HQ versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-2620 v3 — a 17.1% clock advantage for the Core i7-5950HQ (base: 2.9 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-5950HQ uses the Broadwell-H (2015) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-5950HQ scores 7,667 against the Xeon E5-2620 v3's 7,734 — a 0.9% lead for the Xeon E5-2620 v3. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-5950HQ vs 15 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2620 v3.

Feature	Core i7-5950HQ	Xeon E5-2620 v3
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	6 / 12+50%
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+19%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	2.9 GHz+21%	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	15 MB (total)+150%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm-36%	22 nm
Architecture	Broadwell-H (2015)	Haswell-EP (2014−2015)
PassMark	7,667	7,734

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-5950HQ uses the BGA1364 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2620 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.