AMD Ryzen 3 1200 vs Intel Core i5-4570T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 and Intel Core i5-4570T are both 31st-percentile CPUs in the benchmark database, but that shared percentile hides a decisive performance gap. Across the three head-to-head Cinebench tests, the Ryzen 3 1200 wins every round, with margins ranging from a solid 10.3% to a massive 116.6%. The Intel i5-4570T, despite its higher boost clock and lower power draw, simply cannot match the Ryzen's multi-threaded and single-threaded output in modern rendering workloads. The data is unambiguous: the Ryzen 3 1200 is the faster processor.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic difference appears in the single-core Cinebench R23 test. The Ryzen 3 1200 scores 834, while the i5-4570T scores 385. That is a 116.6% advantage for the AMD part—more than double the Intel's score. This is not a marginal improvement; it is a generational leap in per-thread efficiency. For any workload that relies on single-thread performance—such as older games or lightly-threaded applications—the Ryzen 3 1200 is categorically faster. The Intel part's 3.60 GHz boost clock cannot compensate for its older Haswell architecture's lower instructions-per-clock.

In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen 3 1200 posts a score of 480 versus the i5-4570T's 275. This 74.5% margin reflects the physical core count difference: the Ryzen has 4 physical cores, while the Intel part has only 2 cores with 4 threads. The Ryzen's 8 MB of shared L3 cache and 4,800 million transistors also contribute to its ability to sustain heavy parallel loads. The i5-4570T's 4 MB of L3 cache and 1,400 million transistors are simply outclassed here.

The closest contest is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Ryzen 3 1200 scores 3013 against the i5-4570T's 2732. The 10.3% delta is the smallest of the three tests, but it is still a clear win for AMD. This narrower margin suggests that the i5-4570T's Hyper-Threading (4 threads) helps it somewhat in newer multi-threaded workloads, but the Ryzen's 4 true cores still provide the better scaling. The Ryzen's 65W TDP versus the Intel's 35W TDP is part of why it can sustain higher sustained performance, though the Intel part uses far less power to achieve its lower result.

Benchmark results also show the Ryzen 3 1200 has an average benchmark score of 1116, placing it within 0.1% of the Intel Core i3-7300 (1115) and 0.2% behind the Intel Core i5-3550S (1118). The i5-4570T's average score of 1108 puts it 0.1% ahead of the AMD PRO A12-8870 (1107) and 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 (1109). These nearest-rival comparisons confirm that both CPUs sit in the same overall performance tier, but the Ryzen 3 1200 edges ahead in the direct head-to-head.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more physical cores?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i5-4570T has 2 physical cores and 4 threads (using Hyper-Threading).

Q: Is the Ryzen 3 1200 faster in every benchmark test?

A: Yes. The head-to-head data shows the Ryzen 3 1200 wins all three tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core (480 vs 275), Cinebench R23 multi-core (3013 vs 2732), and Cinebench R23 single-core (834 vs 385). The i5-4570T wins zero tests.

Q: What is the difference in process node and transistor count?

A: The Ryzen 3 1200 uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries with 4,800 million transistors. The i5-4570T uses a 22 nm process from Intel with 1,400 million transistors. The Ryzen's more advanced node and higher transistor count contribute to its performance advantage.

Q: Does either CPU include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-4570T includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 has no integrated graphics, which means it requires a discrete graphics card.

Q: Which CPU supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-4570T does not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the release date gap between these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570T was released on June 1, 2013. The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 was released on July 26, 2017—over four years later, which explains the significant architectural improvements in the AMD part.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 3 1200 is built on AMD's Zen architecture, codenamed "Summit Ridge," using a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. This is a modern, high-IPC design with 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The i5-4570T uses Intel's Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process, packing 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The node difference alone gives the Ryzen a significant efficiency and performance advantage, allowing more transistors in a similar die footprint.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Ryzen 3 1200 offers 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-4570T has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and only 4 MB of shared L3. The Ryzen's larger caches allow it to keep more data close to the cores, reducing memory latency and improving performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support is another major architectural split. The Ryzen 3 1200 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a rated memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. The i5-4570T supports DDR3 memory (dual-channel) but the FACT PACK provides no bandwidth figure for it. DDR4's higher bandwidth and lower latency give the Ryzen an edge in memory-bound tasks. The Ryzen also supports ECC memory, which the i5-4570T does not, making the AMD part more suitable for error-sensitive compute workloads.

The Ryzen 3 1200 has a fully unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the i5-4570T's multiplier is locked. The Ryzen also uses the AMD Socket AM4, while the i5-4570T uses the Intel Socket 1150. The Ryzen's 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) compare to the Intel's Gen 3 PCIe support, though the Intel part's lane count is not specified in the data.

Specification Differences

The core specifications where these two CPUs differ are numerous. The Ryzen 3 1200 has 4 cores and 4 threads; the i5-4570T has 2 cores and 4 threads. The Ryzen's base clock is 3.10 GHz with a boost of 3.40 GHz, while the i5-4570T has a lower base clock of 2.90 GHz but a higher boost of 3.60 GHz. Despite the Intel's higher boost, the Ryzen's superior IPC wins the single-core test.

Thermal design power differs significantly: the Ryzen 3 1200 has a 65W TDP, while the i5-4570T is rated at 35W. The Intel part is far more power-efficient, but the Ryzen uses its higher power budget to deliver substantially more performance. The Ryzen's process node is 14 nm (GlobalFoundries); the i5-4570T is 22 nm (Intel). The Ryzen's die size is 213 mm² with 4,800 million transistors; the i5-4570T's die is 177 mm² with 1,400 million transistors.

Memory support differs: the Ryzen uses DDR4, the i5-4570T uses DDR3. The Ryzen has ECC support; the i5-4570T does not. The Ryzen's memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s; no bandwidth figure is available for the i5-4570T. The Ryzen has no integrated graphics; the i5-4570T includes Intel HD 4600. The Ryzen's multiplier is unlocked; the i5-4570T's is locked. Sockets differ: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 1150. The Ryzen was released on July 26, 2017; the i5-4570T on June 1, 2013.

The Ryzen 3 1200 has a launch MSRP of $109. The i5-4570T has no launch MSRP in the data. The Ryzen's part number is YD1200BBM4KAEYD1200BBAEBOX; the i5-4570T's is SR14R.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a single conclusion: the AMD Ryzen 3 1200 is the superior processor for raw performance. It wins all three head-to-head Cinebench tests, including a 116.6% margin in single-core R23 and a 74.5% margin in multi-core R15. The i5-4570T's only advantages are its 35W TDP (versus 65W) and its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics. If you need a low-power CPU with built-in graphics, the i5-4570T is the only option here. But if you prioritize compute performance—and have a discrete GPU—the Ryzen 3 1200 is the clear choice.

The Ryzen's 4 physical cores, larger caches, DDR4 support, and unlocked multiplier make it a more capable and future-proof platform. The i5-4570T, despite being from 2013, still holds its own in the 31st percentile, but it is outperformed in every measurable way by the 2017 Ryzen. For users building a new system, the Ryzen 3 1200's AM4 socket and modern architecture offer a better foundation. The data does not support any scenario where the i5-4570T is the faster CPU.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 1200 wins in all compute-heavy scenarios. It dominates multi-threaded rendering (Cinebench R15 multi-core: 480 vs 275, a 74.5% lead) and single-threaded performance (Cinebench R23 single-core: 834 vs 385, a 116.6% lead). It also wins in newer multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench R23 multi-core (3013 vs 2732, a 10.3% lead). These wins make it the better choice for video editing, 3D rendering, software compilation, and any task that scales across cores or benefits from high IPC.

The Intel Core i5-4570T wins in one specific scenario: power-constrained or integrated-graphics systems. Its 35W TDP is nearly half the Ryzen's 65W, making it suitable for compact, low-power builds where thermal output is critical. Its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics mean it can run a basic display output without a discrete GPU, which the Ryzen 3 1200 cannot do. The i5-4570T also has a higher boost clock (3.60 GHz vs 3.40 GHz), though this does not translate into a benchmark win.

For users with a discrete graphics card and no strict power limits, the Ryzen 3 1200 is the only rational choice. For users building a silent, low-power HTPC or a basic office machine without a GPU, the i5-4570T's integrated graphics and lower TDP give it a niche role. The benchmark data, however, leaves no doubt: the Ryzen 3 1200 is the faster CPU in every measured test.