Core i7-990X vs Core i7-5850EQ

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-990X

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 16.2 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $435 MSRP).
❌176.6% higher power demand at 130W vs 47W.

Core i7-5850EQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Costs $564 less on MSRP ($435 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 126.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.2 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($435 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 47W instead of 130W, a 83W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-990X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,036 vs 7,135).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).

Core i7-990X

2011

Core i7-5850EQ

2015

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.9% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

Why buy it

✅Costs $564 less on MSRP ($435 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Delivers 126.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 16.2 vs 7.1 PassMark/$ ($435 MSRP vs $999 MSRP).
✅Draws 47W instead of 130W, a 83W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 7.1 vs 16.2 PassMark/$ ($999 MSRP vs $435 MSRP).
❌176.6% higher power demand at 130W vs 47W.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-990X across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (7,036 vs 7,135).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 12 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-990X better than Core i7-5850EQ?

Yes. Core i7-990X is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 9.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.4% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i7-990X is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 9.9% more average FPS across 4 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-990X is the better fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (12 MB vs 6 MB).

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

Core i7-990X is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i7-990X is 129.7% more expensive on MSRP at $999 MSRP versus $435 MSRP, and it gives you a 9.9% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i7-5850EQ only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that is mostly used-market pricing on an obsolete 2015 platform. Even with 126.5% better value on paper (16.2 vs 7.1 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a very cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on that older platform.

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

Core i7-5850EQ is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i7-990X Benchmark Check

Core i7-5850EQ Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i7-990X	Core i7-5850EQ
1080p
low	168 FPS	166 FPS
medium	143 FPS	130 FPS
high	115 FPS	103 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	80 FPS
1440p
low	141 FPS	139 FPS
medium	118 FPS	107 FPS
high	93 FPS	84 FPS
ultra	76 FPS	66 FPS
4K
low	64 FPS	66 FPS
medium	57 FPS	55 FPS
high	45 FPS	42 FPS
ultra	35 FPS	34 FPS

Open Core i7-990X Open Core i7-5850EQ

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i7-990X	Core i7-5850EQ
1080p
low	178 FPS	176 FPS
medium	178 FPS	151 FPS
high	171 FPS	140 FPS
ultra	139 FPS	105 FPS
1440p
low	178 FPS	153 FPS
medium	164 FPS	131 FPS
high	152 FPS	121 FPS
ultra	128 FPS	95 FPS
4K
low	163 FPS	120 FPS
medium	143 FPS	106 FPS
high	128 FPS	83 FPS
ultra	95 FPS	60 FPS

Open Core i7-990X Open Core i7-5850EQ

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i7-990X	Core i7-5850EQ
1080p
low	178 FPS	176 FPS
medium	178 FPS	176 FPS
high	178 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	178 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	178 FPS	176 FPS
medium	178 FPS	176 FPS
high	178 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	178 FPS	176 FPS
4K
low	178 FPS	176 FPS
medium	178 FPS	176 FPS
high	178 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	178 FPS	176 FPS

Open Core i7-990X Open Core i7-5850EQ

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i7-990X	Core i7-5850EQ
1080p
low	178 FPS	176 FPS
medium	178 FPS	176 FPS
high	178 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	178 FPS	176 FPS
1440p
low	178 FPS	176 FPS
medium	178 FPS	176 FPS
high	178 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	178 FPS	176 FPS
4K
low	178 FPS	176 FPS
medium	178 FPS	176 FPS
high	178 FPS	176 FPS
ultra	178 FPS	176 FPS

Open Core i7-990X Open Core i7-5850EQ

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-990X and Core i7-5850EQ

Core i7-990X

The Core i7-990X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.46 GHz, with boost up to 3.73 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: 7,135 points. Launch price was $1,104.

Core i7-5850EQ

The Core i7-5850EQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): 47 Watt. Passmark benchmark score: 7,036 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The Core i7-990X packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Core i7-5850EQ offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i7-990X has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.73 GHz on the Core i7-990X versus 2.7 GHz on the Core i7-5850EQ — a 32% clock advantage for the Core i7-990X. The Core i7-990X uses the Gulftown (2010−2011) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-5850EQ uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-990X scores 7,135 against the Core i7-5850EQ's 7,036 — a 1.4% lead for the Core i7-990X. L3 cache: 12 MB (total) on the Core i7-990X vs 6 MB on the Core i7-5850EQ.

Feature	Core i7-990X	Core i7-5850EQ
Cores / Threads	6 / 12+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.73 GHz+38%	2.7 GHz
Base Clock	3.46 GHz	—
L3 Cache	12 MB (total)+100%	6 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Gulftown (2010−2011)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	7,135+1%	7,036

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Value Analysis

The Core i7-990X launched at $999 MSRP, while the Core i7-5850EQ debuted at $435. On MSRP ($999 vs $435), the Core i7-5850EQ is $564 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-990X delivers 7.1 pts/$ vs 16.2 pts/$ for the Core i7-5850EQ — making the Core i7-5850EQ the 77.5% better value option.