Core i5 vs Microsoft SQ1
Aggregate performance score
Microsoft SQ1 outperforms Core i5 by an impressive 70% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
Primary details
Comparing Microsoft SQ1 and Core i5 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.
| Place in performance ranking | 1418 | 1774 |
| Place by popularity | not in top-100 | not in top-100 |
| Cost-effectiveness evaluation | no data | 7.03 |
| Market segment | Laptop | Desktop processor |
| Series | Qualcomm Snapdragon | no data |
| Architecture codename | Cortex-A76 / A55 (Kryo 495) (2019) | no data |
| Release date | 2 October 2019 (4 years ago) | 1 October 2023 (less than a year ago) |
| Current price | $1873 | $179 |
Cost-effectiveness evaluation
Performance per price, higher is better.
Detailed specifications
Microsoft SQ1 and Core i5 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 cores | 8 (Octa-Core) | no data |
| Threads | 8 | no data |
| Boost clock speed | 3 GHz | no data |
| L3 cache | 2 MB | no data |
| Chip lithography | 7 nm | no data |
| 64 bit support | + | - |
| Windows 11 compatibility | - | no data |
| Unlocked multiplier | No | No |
Graphics specifications
General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.
| Integrated graphics card | Qualcomm Adreno 685 | no data |
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.
Microsoft SQ1 outperforms Core i5 by 70% based on our aggregate benchmark results.
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.
Benchmark coverage: 68%
Microsoft SQ1 outperforms Core i5 by 120% in Passmark.
Pros & cons summary
| Performance score | 3.69 | 2.17 |
| Recency | 2 October 2019 | 1 October 2023 |
The Microsoft SQ1 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i5 in performance tests.
Be aware that Microsoft SQ1 is a notebook processor while Core i5 is a desktop one.
Should you still have questions on choice between Microsoft SQ1 and Core i5, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.
Similar processor comparisons
We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.
