i5-650 vs i7-950

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Aggregate performance score

Core i7-950
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 130 Watt
2.03
+43%
Core i5-650
2010
2 cores / 4 threads, 73 Watt
1.42

Core i7-950 outperforms Core i5-650 by a considerable 43% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i7-950 and Core i5-650 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking19192206
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.174.93
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesCore i7 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency1.481.84
Architecture codenameBloomfield (2008−2010)Clarkdale (2010−2011)
Release date2 June 2009 (15 years ago)7 January 2010 (14 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$290$35

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-650 has 2800% better value for money than i7-950.

Detailed specifications

Core i7-950 and Core i5-650 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads84
Base clock speed3.06 GHz3.2 GHz
Boost clock speed3.33 GHz3.46 GHz
Bus rate1333 MHz2.5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256 KB (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache8 MB (shared)4 MB (shared)
Chip lithography45 nm32 nm
Die size263 mm281 mm2
Maximum core temperature68 °C73 °C
Number of transistors731 million382 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i7-950 and Core i5-650 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1366FCLGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)130 Watt73 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i7-950 and Core i5-650. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.2Intel® SSE4.2
AES-NI-+
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology1.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology++
Idle States++
Demand Based Switching--
PAE36 Bit36 Bit
FDIno data+

Security technologies

Core i7-950 and Core i5-650 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i7-950 and Core i5-650 are enumerated here.

VT-dno data+
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i7-950 and Core i5-650. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size24 GB16.38 GB
Max memory channels32
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardN/AIntel HD Graphics for Previous Generation Intel Processors
Clear Video HDno data+

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i7-950 and Core i5-650 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supportedno data2

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i7-950 and Core i5-650.

PCIe version2.02.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i7-950 2.03
+43%
i5-650 1.42

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i7-950 3222
+43%
i5-650 2253

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i7-950 468
+2.9%
i5-650 455

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i7-950 1558
+67.2%
i5-650 932

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i7-950 4900
i5-650 6640
+35.5%

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.03 1.42
Recency 2 June 2009 7 January 2010
Physical cores 4 2
Threads 8 4
Chip lithography 45 nm 32 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 130 Watt 73 Watt

i7-950 has a 43% higher aggregate performance score, and 100% more physical cores and 100% more threads.

i5-650, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 7 months, a 40.6% more advanced lithography process, and 78.1% lower power consumption.

The Core i7-950 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5-650 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i7-950 and Core i5-650, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i7-950
Core i7-950
Intel Core i5-650
Core i5-650

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Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


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Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i7-950 or Core i5-650, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.