Core i7-980X vs Core i7-5850HQ

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 i7-980X vs Core i7-5850HQ 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 i7-980X vs Core i7-5850HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i7-980X

2010

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (6,817 vs 6,866).
❌Launch MSRP is still $999 MSRP, while Core i7-5850HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌176.6% higher power demand at 130W vs 47W.

Core i7-5850HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 47W instead of 130W, a 83W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-5850HQ better than Core i7-980X?

Yes. Core i7-5850HQ 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, 0.7% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

For gaming, this matchup is basically a tie in the data we have.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-5850HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Core i7-5850HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-5850HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $999 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-980X only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2010 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (6.8 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1366.

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

Core i7-5850HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2010) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-980X vs Core i7-5850HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i7-980X

The Core i7-980X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 16 March 2010 (15 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.33 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1366. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 6,817 points. Launch price was $959.

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.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-980X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-5850HQ offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-980X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-980X versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-5850HQ — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.33 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i7-980X uses the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-5850HQ uses Broadwell-H (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-980X scores 6,817 against the Core i7-5850HQ's 6,866 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i7-5850HQ. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-980X vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-5850HQ.

Feature	Core i7-980X	Core i7-5850HQ
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	3.33 GHz+23%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+100%	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Broadwell-H (2015)
PassMark	6,817	6,866

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-980X uses the LGA1366 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-5850HQ uses BGA1364 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.