Microsoft SQ1
VS
Core i7-5700HQ

Microsoft SQ1 vs Core i7-5700HQ

Microsoft SQ1

8 Cores8 Thrd0 WWMax: 3 GHz2019
VS
Intel

Core i7-5700HQ

4 Cores8 Thrd47 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2015

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Microsoft SQ1 is positioned at rank 877 and the Core i7-5700HQ is on rank 883, so the Microsoft SQ1 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Microsoft SQ1

#865
Atom x5-Z8300
MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A
1458%
#866
Atom Z3735G
MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A
1436%
#867
Core i5-480M
MSRP: $81|Avg: $77
1318%
#868
Core i5-460M
MSRP: $80|Avg: $129
1312%
#869
Core i5-2540M
MSRP: $266|Avg: $10
1300%
#871
Core i5-450M
MSRP: $32|Avg: $31
1256%
#872
Core i3-380M
MSRP: $49|Avg: $25
1204%
#873
Core i5-430M
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33
1202%
#874
Core 2 Duo T6600
MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4
1170%
#877
Microsoft SQ1
MSRP: $300|Avg: $180
100%
#879
Core i5-6440HQ
MSRP: $250|Avg: N/A
100%
#883
Celeron Dual-Core T1600
MSRP: $150|Avg: $150
99%
#884
Athlon II N330
MSRP: $100|Avg: $50
99%
#889
Core i7-7820EQ
MSRP: $378|Avg: $378
98%
#890
Celeron 7305
MSRP: $128|Avg: $107
98%
#891
E-300
MSRP: $60|Avg: $20
97%
#892
Core i7-7820HK
MSRP: $378|Avg: N/A
97%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-5700HQ

#1
Ryzen 9 7950X
MSRP: $194|Avg: $20
19519%
#2
Core i9-10900T
MSRP: $120|Avg: $5
18443%
#3
Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE
MSRP: $423|Avg: $5
13391%
#4
Ryzen Threadripper 3960X
MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85
4034%
#5
Ryzen 9 9950X
MSRP: $649|Avg: $129
3196%
#6
Ryzen 5 8400F
MSRP: $303|Avg: $55
2795%
#7
Ryzen 7 PRO 2700
MSRP: $299|Avg: $60
1601%
#8
Ryzen 5 2600X
MSRP: $229|Avg: $55
1580%
#9
Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G
MSRP: $150|Avg: $60
1439%
#10
Core Ultra 5 245KF
MSRP: $294|Avg: $189
1439%
#11
Ryzen 5 5500
MSRP: $159|Avg: $85
1423%
#12
Ryzen 5 3600
MSRP: $199|Avg: $80
1384%
#13
Core i3-9100E
MSRP: $202|Avg: $30
1365%
#14
Core Ultra 5 245K
MSRP: $319|Avg: $200
1359%
#15
Core i3-8300T
MSRP: $138|Avg: $25
1347%
#883
Core i7-5700HQ
MSRP: N/A|Avg: N/A
100%
#884
Athlon II X2 265
MSRP: $83|Avg: $15
100%
#885
Core i3-2100
MSRP: $117|Avg: $10
99%
#886
A8-3800
MSRP: $130|Avg: $40
99%
#887
Pentium E5200
MSRP: $84|Avg: $15
98%
#888
Athlon II X2 235e
MSRP: $69|Avg: $15
98%
#889
Athlon II X2 250e
MSRP: $77|Avg: $15
98%
#890
Core i7-2600S
MSRP: $297|Avg: $99
98%
#891
Athlon II X2 250u
MSRP: $60|Avg: $15
98%
#892
Pentium G6951
MSRP: $89|Avg: $50
97%
#893
Core i3-2125
MSRP: $134|Avg: $15
97%
#895
Celeron G1820
MSRP: $110|Avg: $15
97%
#896
Celeron E1600
MSRP: $53|Avg: $10
96%
#897
Athlon II X2 270u
MSRP: $68|Avg: $10
96%
#898
Core i5-4570TE
MSRP: $202|Avg: $40
96%
Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Generational Difference: This comparison involves processors from different technological eras. The Microsoft SQ1 (2019) utilizes 7 nm technology and modern memory, providing a fundamental performance advantage.
InsightMicrosoft SQ1Core i7-5700HQ
Gaming
Lower gaming performance
Superior gaming performance
Workstation
Better multi-core power
Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price
⚠️ Higher cost ($180)
More affordable ($0)
Longevity
✨ Modern (Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) / 7 nm)
🛑 Legacy (Broadwell-H (2015) / 14 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

The Core i7-5700HQ (2015) relies on 14 nm technology and DDR3, placing it in a different performance category relative to modern standards.
InsightMicrosoft SQ1Core i7-5700HQ
Cost Efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost
⚠️ Higher cost ($180)
More affordable ($0)

Performance Check

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.

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Microsoft SQ1 and Core i7-5700HQ

Microsoft SQ1

The Microsoft SQ1 is manufactured by Microsoft. It was released in 2 October 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture. It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Max frequency: 3 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. Built on 7 nm process technology. Thermal design power (TDP): + 2 MB. Passmark benchmark score: 6,039 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Core i7-5700HQ

The Core i7-5700HQ 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 3.5 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: 6,037 points. Launch price was $378.

Processing Power

The Microsoft SQ1 packs 8 cores / 8 threads, while the Core i7-5700HQ offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Microsoft SQ1 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3 GHz on the Microsoft SQ1 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i7-5700HQ — a 15.4% clock advantage for the Core i7-5700HQ. The Microsoft SQ1 uses the Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) architecture (7 nm), while the Core i7-5700HQ uses Broadwell-H (2015) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Microsoft SQ1 scores 6,039 against the Core i7-5700HQ's 6,037 — a 0% lead for the Microsoft SQ1. L3 cache: 2 MB on the Microsoft SQ1 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i7-5700HQ.

FeatureMicrosoft SQ1Core i7-5700HQ
Cores / Threads
8 / 8+100%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3 GHz
3.5 GHz+17%
Base Clock
2.7 GHz
L3 Cache
2 MB
6 MB (total)+200%
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
Process
7 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019)
Broadwell-H (2015)
PassMark
6,039
6,037