CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4570TE and AMD FX-8320E are two desktop processors from different eras and design philosophies, yet they land in the same performance percentile. The data shows a clear split: the i5-4570TE dominates in single-threaded and memory-sensitive tasks, while the FX-8320E offers eight physical cores for heavily threaded workloads, though benchmark results indicate the Intel part wins the only head-to-head tests available. This analysis breaks down where each CPU makes sense based strictly on the provided specifications and benchmark data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher clock speed?

A: The AMD FX-8320E has a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-4570TE operates at a 2.70 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost.

Q: How do their core and thread counts compare?

A: The FX-8320E has 8 cores and 8 threads, whereas the i5-4570TE has 2 cores and 4 threads. This is a 4x difference in physical core count.

Q: Which CPU is more power-efficient?

A: The Intel i5-4570TE has a TDP of 35 watts, compared to 95 watts for the AMD FX-8320E. The Intel part uses nearly a third of the power budget.

Q: What is the performance gap in single-core benchmarks?

A: In Geekbench single-core, the i5-4570TE scores 966 versus 437 for the FX-8320E, a 121.1% advantage for Intel. This is the largest delta in the head-to-head data.

Q: Does the FX-8320E win any benchmark?

A: No. In the head-to-head benchmarks provided, the FX-8320E wins 0 tests, while the i5-4570TE wins 2 tests (Geekbench multi-core and single-core).

Q: What are the process node differences?

A: The Intel part is built on a 22 nm process by Intel, while the AMD FX-8320E uses a 32 nm node from GlobalFoundries. The smaller node typically allows for better efficiency.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs represent fundamentally different architectural approaches. The Intel Core i5-4570TE is a Haswell design, built on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It has 2 cores and 4 threads, with a per-core cache layout: 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, plus a shared 4 MB L3 cache. It uses the Intel Socket 1150 and supports PCIe Gen 3.

The AMD FX-8320E uses the Piledriver architecture, codenamed Vishera, fabricated on a 32 nm node with 1,200 million transistors on a much larger 315 mm² die. It features 8 cores and 8 threads, with a different cache structure: 384 KB L1, 8 MB L2, and 8 MB shared L3. It runs on AMD Socket AM3+ and is limited to PCIe Gen 2.

The memory controllers differ as well. Both support DDR3 dual-channel memory, but the FX-8320E explicitly lists a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i5-4570TE does not have a stated bandwidth figure in the data. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics (Intel HD 4600), whereas the AMD part relies on "on certain motherboards (Chipset feature)" for graphics output.

The FX-8320E is designated as end-of-life and has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-4570TE has a locked multiplier. The Intel part was released in June 2013; the AMD part came in September 2014, making the FX a later but older-node design.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4570TE wins decisively in the benchmarks that exist. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 1857 versus 1681, a 10.5% lead. In single-core, the gap is enormous: 966 versus 437, a 121.1% advantage. This means the i5-4570TE is the clear choice for any workload that relies on single-thread performance, such as general desktop responsiveness, legacy software, or applications with poor multi-threading.

The AMD FX-8320E, despite losing the available benchmarks, has structural advantages that could matter in specific scenarios. Its 8 physical cores and 8 threads suggest it can handle parallel workloads better than a 2-core/4-thread part. The larger 8 MB L3 cache (versus 4 MB on Intel) and higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz may help in cache-heavy or bursty multi-threaded tasks.

However, the data shows no benchmark where the FX-8320E wins. Its single-core score is less than half of the Intel's, which is a severe handicap. For users running old games or single-threaded productivity tools, the i5-4570TE is the only logical pick. For users with highly threaded workloads that scale linearly with core count, the FX-8320E's 8 cores may provide a theoretical edge, but the lack of any winning benchmark in the pack makes this speculative.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4570TE | AMD FX-8320E |

|----------------|----------------------|--------------|

| Cores | 2 | 8 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.70 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 95 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | AMD Socket AM3+ |

| Architecture | Haswell | Piledriver |

| Codename | Haswell | Vishera |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 1,200 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 315 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 384 KB |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 8 MB |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 29.9 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 2 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | On certain motherboards (Chipset feature) |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Production Status | Not specified | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2013-06-01 | 2014-09-01 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $147 |

The most impactful differences are the core count (2 vs 8), TDP (35 W vs 95 W), and process node (22 nm vs 32 nm). The Intel part is smaller, cooler, and more efficient. The AMD part has more cores and a higher clock speed but consumes nearly three times the power.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The only head-to-head tests provided are from Geekbench. In multi-core, the Intel Core i5-4570TE scores 1857 against 1681 for the AMD FX-8320E, a 10.5% win for Intel. This is notable because the AMD part has 4x the cores, yet still loses. The Intel's superior per-core efficiency and memory subsystem likely compensate for the core deficit.

In single-core, the results are lopsided. The i5-4570TE scores 966, while the FX-8320E scores 437. That is a 121.1% difference, meaning the Intel part is more than twice as fast per core. This makes the FX-8320E's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz irrelevant in single-threaded scenarios; the Intel's Haswell architecture at 3.30 GHz is far more efficient per clock.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story. The i5-4570TE has an average benchmark score of 1062, and the FX-8320E is at 1059. Both CPUs sit at the 29th percentile versus all CPUs, and their nearest rivals are nearly identical in score. For instance, the i5-4570TE is within 0.1% of the AMD Opteron 4376 HE and the Intel Core i3-4360, while the FX-8320E is within 0.2% of the Intel Core i7-2760QM. This shows that despite the architectural differences, both parts are in the same performance tier overall.

The Verdict

Pick the Intel Core i5-4570TE if you need single-threaded performance, low power draw, or a compact system. The data shows it is 121.1% faster in single-core and 10.5% faster in multi-core Geekbench. Its 35 W TDP makes it suitable for small form factor builds or systems where heat and power are constraints. It also includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, which the FX-8320E lacks as a native feature.

Pick the AMD FX-8320E if you have a workload that uses all 8 cores heavily and you can tolerate the 95 W TDP. Its 8 MB L3 cache and 4.00 GHz boost clock are structural advantages, but the benchmark pack provides no evidence of a win. The unlocked multiplier is useful for overclocking, a feature the Intel part lacks.

The verdict is straightforward: the data favors Intel in every measured category. The FX-8320E's only argument is its physical core count, but without a benchmark win to back it up, that argument remains theoretical. For a builder prioritizing efficiency and speed, the i5-4570TE is the data-backed choice. For a builder prioritizing raw core count in a specific multi-threaded application, the FX-8320E may be worth considering, but the numbers suggest you will lose performance, not gain it.