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Intel’s desktop Broadwell chips were not conventional high-clock upgrades. The Core i7-5775C and Core i5-5675C paired a modestly refined 14nm CPU with unusually capable Iris Pro 6200 integrated graphics and 128MB of on-package eDRAM. That made them interesting for a narrow purpose: a compact or configurable desktop that needed strong graphics without a discrete card. Their CPU gains over Haswell were limited, and their premium launch prices made them hard to recommend for a standard gaming PC.

Quick verdict

  • Best at: Integrated graphics for a socketed desktop of its generation. The Iris Pro 6200 has 48 execution units and is backed by 128MB of eDRAM.
  • CPU performance: A modest step beyond Haswell, not a generational leap. Improved efficiency and small architectural gains were tempered by lower stock clocks.
  • Power target: Both chips carry a 65W rated TDP, below the ratings of contemporary enthusiast Haswell parts. TDP is not a promise of measured package or wall power.
  • Value: The graphics hardware was compelling, but the chips launched at a premium. A discrete-GPU system had much less reason to pay for Iris Pro.
  • Today: Consider one mainly as a carefully priced upgrade for a verified-compatible LGA1150 system, or as a niche legacy build. For a new mainstream PC, the old platform is the larger drawback.

The desktop processors reviewed here launched on June 2, 2015. AnandTech’s Broadwell review captures their original context; its game results are historical measurements, not a guide to current game compatibility or performance.

What desktop Broadwell was

Broadwell was Intel’s 14nm generation following 22nm Haswell, commonly described as a process “tick.” It retained a broadly Haswell-like CPU design rather than introducing a wholesale core redesign. The smaller process and modest architectural refinements brought efficiency and incremental CPU improvements, but did not automatically make these lower-clocked chips much faster than their Haswell counterparts.

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Desktop Broadwell arrived later than mobile Broadwell products, amid reported 14nm yield difficulties. Its socketed desktop launch was unusually narrow: the Core i7-5775C and Core i5-5675C were the two principal models. Rather than use a conventional high-clock desktop configuration, Intel adapted a 65W Broadwell-H design for a socketed desktop package. The result emphasized integrated graphics and power-conscious operation over maximum CPU frequency.

#1 Best Overall
Intel® Core™ i7-14700K New Gaming Desktop Processor 20 cores (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked
  • Game Without Compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors
  • 20 cores (8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores) and 28 threads. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 770 included
  • Up to 5.6 GHz with Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 gives you smooth game play, high frame rates, and rapid responsiveness
  • Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) or 700-series chipset-based motherboards
  • DDR4 and DDR5 platform support cuts your load times and gives you the space to run the most demanding games

Core i7-5775C vs. Core i5-5675C

These are historical product specifications, not a buying guide to current platform features. The principal difference is that the i7 adds Hyper-Threading and higher clocks, while both share the same Iris Pro graphics class and 65W rating.

Specification Core i7-5775C Core i5-5675C
Architecture / process Broadwell / 14nm Broadwell / 14nm
Cores / threads 4 / 8 4 / 4
Base clock 3.3GHz 3.1GHz
Maximum Turbo Up to 3.7GHz Up to 3.6GHz
L3 cache 6MB 4MB
Rated TDP 65W 65W
Integrated graphics Iris Pro Graphics 6200 Iris Pro Graphics 6200
Maximum iGPU clock 1150MHz 1100MHz
Socket LGA1150 LGA1150
Multiplier Unlocked Unlocked

Specification figures are consistent with contemporary review coverage, including Tom’s Hardware’s review. For a specific board-and-CPU combination, consult the motherboard maker’s CPU-support list rather than relying on socket or chipset alone.

The real story: Iris Pro 6200 and Crystal Well

Each processor includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200 with 48 execution units and 128MB of eDRAM, Intel’s “Crystal Well” memory. The eDRAM acts as a high-bandwidth cache-like resource between the graphics engine and system memory, helping reduce the impact of ordinary system-memory bandwidth limits. It is not simply an extra block of ordinary L4 cache whose benefits appear equally in every task: the payoff depends on workload, and it is most relevant when graphics performance is constrained.

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In AnandTech’s integrated-graphics suite, the i5-5675C averaged roughly 20% ahead of AMD’s A10-7870K. That average conceals meaningful variation: the lead was about 7% in Grand Theft Auto V, about 31% in Alien: Isolation, and about 36% in Total War: Attila. These figures belong to the review’s particular games, settings, and test system—not to every title or modern gaming workload. See the original integrated-graphics results for the test-specific comparisons.

Rank #2
Intel® Core™ i7-14700KF New Gaming Desktop Processor 20 cores (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) - Unlocked
  • Game Without Compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors
  • 20 cores (8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores) and 28 threads. Discrete graphics required
  • Up to 5.6 GHz with Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 gives you smooth game play, high frame rates, and rapid responsiveness
  • Compatible with Intel 600-series (with potential BIOS update) or 700-series chipset-based motherboards
  • DDR4 and DDR5 platform support cuts your load times and gives you the space to run the most demanding games

The games were run in low-resolution, low-end scenarios designed to make integrated-GPU differences visible. That is useful for comparing the chips’ graphics hardware, but it does not establish that either can run current games well, at modern resolutions, or with current software support. The cited Part 1 review reports the i5’s graphics results; it says time and firmware issues prevented the i7’s integrated-graphics results in that section. The i7 has a slightly higher maximum graphics clock, but do not treat that as a directly measured i7 lead in those tests.

When that graphics advantage matters

  • No discrete GPU: This is the best-fit scenario. Iris Pro offered unusually strong integrated graphics for a socketed desktop of its time, useful for a compact system or light, older gaming without a separate card.
  • A capable discrete GPU is installed: The iGPU is mostly idle, so the defining reason to pay for these chips largely disappears. Compare CPU performance and total platform cost instead.
  • A low-end discrete GPU is involved: Some results can be affected by the CPU, eDRAM, and graphics bottlenecks in unusual ways. That does not make the processor a replacement for a more capable graphics card.

CPU performance: an incremental upgrade, not a blowout

Broadwell’s process change and modest IPC gains did not guarantee a large overall CPU advantage. The lower base and Turbo clocks matter: in some professional workloads, the four-thread i5-5675C ran close to the higher-clocked Haswell Core i5-4690. That comparison illustrates the balance between per-clock improvements and frequency; it should not be generalized to every application.

The i7-5775C’s Hyper-Threading gives it eight threads, making it the more suitable of the two for workloads that can use additional threads. The i5 has four cores and four threads, but shares the i7’s Iris Pro 6200 graphics architecture. For gaming on the integrated GPU or lightly threaded use, the i5 can be the more rational choice if it costs substantially less. For CPU comparisons, results vary with the application, compiler, operating system, memory configuration, firmware, and whether the workload is limited by the CPU or GPU. AnandTech’s professional-performance coverage provides examples rather than a universal ranking.

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Power, cooling, and overclocking

Both models are rated at 65W, versus the higher 84–88W ratings associated with contemporary enthusiast Haswell parts. That lower rating suits compact or efficiency-minded builds and helps explain the lower stock clocks. It does not mean the processor always draws 65W, nor does it establish total system consumption. Turbo behavior, motherboard firmware, voltage, cooling, and workload all affect actual power; overclocking can increase it substantially. The available benchmark material does not support a complete numerical power comparison here.

Rank #3
Intel Core i7-7700 Desktop Processor 4 Cores up to 4.2 GHz LGA 1151 100/200 Series 65W (Renewed)
  • 4 Cores / 8 Threads
  • 3.60 GHz up to 4.20 GHz Max Turbo Frequency / 8 MB Cache. Sockets Supported: FCLGA1151, Max Memory Size: 64 GB, Memory Types: DDR4-2133/2400, DDR3L-1333/1600 at 1.35V
  • Compatible only with Motherboards based on Intel 100 or 200 Series Chipsets
  • Intel Optane Memory Supported
  • Intel UHD Graphics 630

Both “C” chips have unlocked multipliers. Overclocking requires a suitable motherboard—typically a Z97 board with working Broadwell support—a BIOS that recognizes the processor, and adequate cooling. A cautious process means adjusting multiplier and voltage in small steps, checking temperatures and stability under sustained workloads, and backing off if errors or excessive heat appear. Silicon quality varies, so there is no universal stable frequency to promise. Raising voltage and clocks also reduces the efficiency advantage; the 65W rating should not be treated as a limit after overclocking.

Platform compatibility: verify the exact board and BIOS

The processors use LGA1150 and were intended for Intel 9-series platforms, particularly Z97. Contemporary testing used MSI Z97A Gaming 6 and ASUS Z97 Pro motherboards after BIOS updates. That history is a warning, not a guarantee that every LGA1150 board will boot them.

  1. Find the exact motherboard model and hardware revision, if the maker distinguishes revisions.
  2. Open the manufacturer’s CPU-support list and confirm the exact processor model.
  3. Check the minimum BIOS version required. If the existing CPU still works, update firmware using the manufacturer’s stated procedure before swapping processors.
  4. Confirm the board has the display outputs you need if relying on integrated graphics. A CPU’s iGPU does not guarantee a particular connector on the motherboard.
  5. Include compatible DDR3, a cooler, and the cost and condition of the motherboard in the full build calculation.

Some 8-series boards may not support Broadwell even though the socket is physically the same; 9-series boards can also differ by model and firmware. AnandTech’s test-platform notes describe the BIOS updates used for its Z97 boards.

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Launch value and the case for each chip

AnandTech cited June 2015 launch-era prices of $366 for the i7-5775C and $276 for the i5-5675C. Its comparison cited roughly $339 for the Core i7-4790K and $236 for the Core i5-4690K at the time. These are historical figures, not current used-market prices. The Broadwell parts charged a premium for a relatively uncommon combination: low rated TDP, unlocked desktop operation, and Iris Pro graphics with eDRAM. That was difficult to justify for a conventional gaming PC with a discrete card.

Rank #4
Intel® Core™ Ultra 7 Processor 270K Plus 24 cores (8 P-cores + 16 E-cores) up to 5.5 GHz
  • Next‑Gen Platform Support: Compatible with Intel 800 Series Chipset‑based motherboards with LGA1851 Socket enabling PCIe 5.0/4.0 and high‑speed DDR5 memory (up to 7200 MT/s).
  • High‑Performance Core Configuration: Features up to 24 cores (8 P‑cores + 16 E‑cores) for demanding gaming and creator
  • Ultra‑Fast Boost Clocks: Reaches up to 5.5 GHz max turbo frequency for top‑tier responsiveness and performance
  • Built for Enthusiasts: Unlocked for performance tuning when paired with Intel Z‑series chipsets, making it ideal for overclockers and power users.
  • Robust Power & Thermal Design: Engineered with 125W base power and 250W max turbo power to sustain high‑intensity
  • Choose the i7-5775C if you already own a compatible system, need the stronger CPU option of this pair for threaded work, value the unusual graphics hardware, and find it close enough in price to the i5 to justify the premium.
  • Choose the i5-5675C if integrated graphics are the priority, four threads are sufficient, and it is meaningfully cheaper. It retains the same Iris Pro graphics class, making it the more appealing of the two for legacy iGPU gaming at a sensible price.
  • Choose neither if building a new mainstream computer, prioritizing CPU performance per dollar with a discrete GPU, or needing modern platform features, memory support, I/O, media capabilities, or current-game performance.

Should you buy one in 2026?

There is no verified current used price or stock figure to apply here. Judge the complete system rather than the CPU listing alone:

  1. Is this an upgrade to a working LGA1150 PC? Reusing a compatible board and DDR3 can make a targeted upgrade more sensible than starting over.
  2. Will the motherboard support it? Confirm model-specific CPU support and BIOS revision before buying. Replacement LGA1150 boards may be harder to source than the processor.
  3. What is the full cost? Add CPU, board, DDR3, cooler, storage, and any needed graphics card. A CPU-only listing may not include a cooler.
  4. Do you actually need the iGPU? If you plan to use a capable discrete GPU, Broadwell’s strongest differentiator contributes little to the purchase decision.
  5. Would a newer used system be a better fit? For a new build, compare the total cost and features of newer platforms rather than paying a scarcity premium for a legacy part.

Raw 2015 frame rates do not answer separate questions about modern games, operating-system support, or graphics-driver behavior. Treat those as current compatibility checks, not conclusions that can be derived from the original benchmark suite.

Bottom line

The Core i7-5775C and i5-5675C were technically distinctive desktop processors: efficient 65W Broadwell packages with multiplier unlocking and Iris Pro 6200 graphics backed by 128MB of eDRAM. Their integrated graphics were the headline, and contemporary testing showed a clear lead over AMD’s A10-7870K in the tested suite. Their CPU gains over Haswell were much less dramatic, while launch pricing limited their appeal. In 2026, they make the most sense as niche upgrades for a verified-compatible LGA1150 system—not as default choices for a new PC.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Intel® Core™ i7-14700K New Gaming Desktop Processor 20 cores (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked
Intel® Core™ i7-14700K New Gaming Desktop Processor 20 cores (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) with Integrated Graphics - Unlocked
Game Without Compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors
$379.99
Bestseller No. 2
Intel® Core™ i7-14700KF New Gaming Desktop Processor 20 cores (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) - Unlocked
Intel® Core™ i7-14700KF New Gaming Desktop Processor 20 cores (8 P-cores + 12 E-cores) - Unlocked
Game Without Compromise. Play harder and work smarter with Intel Core 14th Gen processors; 20 cores (8 P-cores plus 12 E-cores) and 28 threads. Discrete graphics required
$349.99
Bestseller No. 3
Intel Core i7-7700 Desktop Processor 4 Cores up to 4.2 GHz LGA 1151 100/200 Series 65W (Renewed)
Intel Core i7-7700 Desktop Processor 4 Cores up to 4.2 GHz LGA 1151 100/200 Series 65W (Renewed)
4 Cores / 8 Threads; Compatible only with Motherboards based on Intel 100 or 200 Series Chipsets
$65.00

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.