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Intel Core i7-5950HQ

Intel Core i7-5950HQ in 2025: Is This Processor Worth Considering?

Introduction

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ processor, released in 2015, was one of the flagship mobile lineups from Intel at its time. A decade later, in 2025, its relevance raises questions. However, such chips are still found in used laptops or entry-level devices. Let's explore who might benefit from this CPU today, what tasks it can handle, and what to consider when choosing a device based on it.

Architecture and Process Technology

Broadwell Code, 14nm, 4 Cores, 8 Threads

The Core i7-5950HQ is built on the Broadwell architecture (5th generation Intel Core) with a 14nm process technology. It is a quad-core processor with Hyper-Threading support (8 threads). The base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with a maximum Turbo Boost frequency of 3.8 GHz. The integrated GPU is the Intel Iris Pro Graphics 6200 with 128 MB eDRAM, providing decent graphical performance for its time.

Architecture Features:

- Improved energy efficiency compared to the previous generation (Haswell).

- Support for DDR3L-1600/DDR3L-1866 memory.

- Intel vPro, VT-x, AES-NI technologies for virtualization and encryption.

iGPU Iris Pro 6200:

By 2025, the integrated graphics are outdated. It can handle basic tasks:

- Viewing 4K videos (with hardware decoding).

- Working with office applications.

- Casual gaming (e.g., CS:GO on low settings — 30-40 FPS).

Power Consumption and TDP

TDP 47W: Implications for Laptops

The high TDP (47W), which is elevated for ultrabooks, means that the processor was installed in larger devices:

- Gaming laptops (for example, MSI GT72 Dominator).

- Mobile workstations (Dell Precision 7510).

Issues in 2025:

- Cooling systems in such devices are often clogged with dust, leading to overheating and throttling.

- Modern processors with similar performance (e.g., Intel Core i5-1340P) have a TDP of 28W.

Performance in Real Tasks

Geekbench 6: 1272 (Single-Core), 4347 (Multi-Core)

For comparison:

- Intel Core i3-1215U (2023) — 1800 (Single-Core), 4500 (Multi-Core).

- Apple M1 (2020) — 2300 (Single-Core), 8000 (Multi-Core).

Usage Scenarios:

1. Office Work (Word, Excel, browser with 10+ tabs) — the processor can handle it, but there may be stuttering when working simultaneously with PDFs and video calls.

2. Multimedia — editing 1080p video in DaVinci Resolve is possible, but rendering will take 3-4 times longer than on Ryzen 5 7600U.

3. Gaming — games from 2015-2020 at medium settings (e.g., The Witcher 3 — 25-30 FPS at 1600x900 resolution). Modern AAA titles (Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty) will not run.

Turbo Boost: Under load on 1-2 cores, the frequency can rise to 3.8 GHz, but stability depends on the cooling system due to heat.

Usage Scenarios in 2025

Who is the i7-5950HQ Relevant for?

1. Budget Users: Laptops with this CPU can be found for $300-400 in the refurbished segment.

2. Students — for studying, coding in Python, or working in MATLAB (if projects do not require multithreading).

3. Retro Gaming Enthusiasts — running older games without hardware upgrades.

Not Suitable for:

- Working with neural networks, 3D modeling, or editing 4K video.

- Gamers expecting high FPS in new games.

Battery Life

Battery and Power Saving

Laptops with the i7-5950HQ rarely came with high-capacity batteries. By 2025, even new batteries for such models (e.g., Dell Inspiron 15 7559) provide no more than 4-5 hours of web surfing.

Power Saving Technologies:

- Intel SpeedStep — dynamic frequency adjustment.

- C-States — disabling unused cores.

Tip: In OS settings, select the “Power Saving” mode and limit the maximum CPU frequency to 2.5 GHz.

Comparison with Competitors

Analogues from 2015-2020:

1. AMD FX-8800P (2015) — weaker in single-threaded tasks but cheaper.

2. Intel Core i7-8850H (2018, Coffee Lake) — 30% higher performance.

3. Apple M1 (2020) — vastly superior in energy efficiency and speed.

Competitors in 2025:

- Intel Core Ultra 5 125U (7nm, 10 cores) — TDP 15W, Geekbench 6 Multi-Core ~8500.

- AMD Ryzen 5 7640U (Zen 4, 4nm) — integrated RDNA 3 graphics, AVX-512 support.

Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- Low cost of used devices.

- Support for Windows 10/11 and Linux.

- Upgradeable RAM and SSD in most models.

Weaknesses:

- Lack of PCIe 4.0 and Thunderbolt 4 support.

- High power consumption.

- Outdated graphics.

Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop

Types of Devices:

- Gaming laptops from 2015-2017 (e.g., ASUS ROG GL752VW) — check cooler condition.

- Business laptops (HP ZBook 15 G2) — durable build, but weight starts from 2.5 kg.

What to Pay Attention To:

1. Cooling System — open the case (or ask the seller) and remove dust.

2. Battery — replacing it with a new one will cost $50-80.

3. Screen — look for models with an IPS panel, not TN.

Advice: Don't buy devices with i7-5950HQ for more than $400 — it’s better to add $100-200 and get a laptop with Ryzen 5 5500U.

Final Conclusion

The Intel Core i7-5950HQ in 2025 is suitable for those looking for a cheap laptop for basic tasks. It is suitable for:

- Working with documents and browsers.

- As a secondary device for travel (if you don't mind the weight).

- Enthusiasts willing to upgrade (replacing thermal paste, adding an SSD).

Key Benefits:

- Price below $400.

- Easy repairs (many components are replaceable).

- Compatibility with most OSs and software.

Alternative: If the budget allows for $600-700, choose laptops with Intel Core i5-1235U or AMD Ryzen 5 6600U — they will last longer and won’t disappoint in performance.

This article is relevant as of April 2025. Keep in mind that technology is rapidly evolving, and even budget new devices often outperform older flagships.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

June 2015

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i7-5950HQ

Code Name

Broadwell

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

2.90 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

3.80 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

3.80 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

L3 Cache

6 MB

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1364

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

14 nm

TDP

47 W

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

105°C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

3.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

1x16 or 2x8 or 1x8 2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR3L 1600/1866 LPDDR3 1600/1866

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

32 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

5 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

25.6 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

GPU Name

Intel® Iris® Pro Graphics 6200

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

300 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.15 GHz

Graphics Video Max Memory

32 GB

DirectX Support

DirectX* Support indicates support for a specific version of Microsoft’s collection of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for handling multimedia compute tasks.

11.2/12

Max Resolution (HDMI)

Max Resolution (HDMI) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the HDMI interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

2560x1600@60Hz

Max Resolution (DP)

Max Resolution (DP) is the maximum resolution supported by the processor via the DP interface (24bits per pixel & 60Hz). System or device display resolution is dependent on multiple system design factors; actual resolution may be lower on your system.

4096x2304@60Hz

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP/DP/HDMI/VGA

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Standard Manageability (ISM)

Intel® Standard Manageability is the manageability solution for Intel vPro® Essentials platforms and is a subset of Intel® AMT with out-of-band management over Ethernet and Wi-Fi, but no KVM or new life cycle management features.

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX2

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

6 MB

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel Clear Video Technology

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel Flex Memory Access

Yes

Intel OS Guard

Yes

OpenGL Support

OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a cross-language, multi-platform API (Application Programming Interface) for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics.

4.3

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

1272

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

4347

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

1041

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

3733

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

2288

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

7696

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Xeon E3-1260L v5

1356 +6.6%

Core i3-10300T

1313 +3.2%

Core i7-5950HQ

1272

Core i5-8265U

1230 -3.3%

Xeon E3-1535M v6

1191 -6.4%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Xeon E5-2630L v4

4877 +12.2%

Core i7-1160G7

4603 +5.9%

Core i7-5950HQ

4347

Core i3-9350KF

4112 -5.4%

Xeon E5-1660 v2

3870 -11%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Xeon Gold 6348

1086 +4.3%

Core i5-1030G4

1064 +2.2%

Core i7-5950HQ

1041

Xeon E3-1284L v4

1020 -2%

Core i3-1000NG4

1000 -3.9%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Xeon Gold 6152

4088 +9.5%

Core i7-7700T

3887 +4.1%

Core i7-5950HQ

3733

Athlon Gold 3150G

3593 -3.8%

Xeon E3-1230 v3

3451 -7.6%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Core i5-1145GRE

2350 +2.7%

Xeon Platinum 8260

2315 +1.2%

Core i7-5950HQ

2288

Xeon Gold 6248R

2261 -1.2%

Core i7-8705G

2236 -2.3%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Core i5-9400T

8407 +9.2%

Core i7-4790

8065 +4.8%

Core i7-5950HQ

7696

Core i7-7920HQ

7445 -3.3%

Ryzen 5 3580U

7197 -6.5%