Intel Core i3-1005G1 vs Intel Core i5-3570K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a clear overall winner in the Intel Core i5-3570K, which takes 7 of the 8 head-to-head comparisons. The margins are narrow in most Cinebench tests, but the Geekbench multicore result gives the older desktop chip a decisive edge. The single Geekbench single-core test is the one bright spot for the Intel Core i3-1005G1, and it is a substantial one.

Starting with the Cinebench R15 suite, the i5-3570K scores 425 in the multicore test against 410 for the i3-1005G1, a 3.7% advantage. In the single-core variant, the i5-3570K posts 60 versus 57, a 5.3% lead. These are modest differences, but they are consistent across the entire Cinebench family. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-3570K again wins the multicore test with 1772 points over 1709, again a 3.7% gap. The single-core test shows 250 versus 241, also 3.7%. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R23: the i5-3570K scores 4221 multicore versus 4070 for the i3-1005G1, a 3.7% margin, and 596 single-core versus 574, a 3.8% margin.

The Geekbench results break the monotony. In the multicore test, the i5-3570K scores 2245 while the i3-1005G1 manages only 1978. That is a 13.5% advantage for the desktop part, by far the largest win for either processor in any test. However, the Geekbench single-core test flips the script completely: the i3-1005G1 scores 1083 against 776 for the i5-3570K. That is a 28.3% difference in favor of the newer mobile chip, the single biggest delta in either direction across the entire benchmark set.

What do these numbers mean in context? For the i5-3570K, the average benchmark score is 1293, placing it in the 35th percentile of all CPUs tracked in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3630QM (average score 1289, 0.3% behind) and the Intel Core i7-3610QE (average score 1297, 0.3% ahead). The i3-1005G1 sits at an average score of 1265, also in the 35th percentile, with rivals like the Intel Xeon W-2102 (1264, 0.1% behind) and the AMD Athlon 200GE (1261, 0.4% behind). So while the head-to-head shows the i5-3570K as the winner in most tests, both processors occupy the same performance tier when measured against the broader CPU landscape. The 28-point average score gap between them is smaller than the gap between the i5-3570K and several of its own nearest rivals.

The overall picture from the head-to-head data is that the i5-3570K is the stronger all-around performer, with wins in every Cinebench test and a substantial Geekbench multicore advantage. But the i3-1005G1 has a genuine single-core strength that is worth examining, especially given its much newer architecture and completely different design goals.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-3570K is a desktop part built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, released in 2012, while the Intel Core i3-1005G1 is a mobile processor using the Ice Lake architecture (specifically Ice Lake-U), released in 2019. The i5-3570K is marked as end-of-life, whereas the i3-1005G1 is still an active production part.

The most obvious difference is in core count. The i5-3570K has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the i3-1005G1 has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, relying on Hyper-Threading to reach the same thread count. This explains the multicore benchmark results: the i5-3570K's two extra physical cores give it a consistent edge across all Cinebench multicore tests, even though the i3-1005G1's individual cores are architecturally newer.

The process node difference is significant. The i5-3570K is manufactured on Intel's 22 nm process, while the i3-1005G1 uses a 10 nm process. The i5-3570K packs 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, whereas the i3-1005G1 has a smaller 123 mm² die with no transistor count recorded in the database. The thermal design power tells the story of their intended use cases: the i5-3570K has a 77 W TDP, while the i3-1005G1 draws only 15 W. That is a massive difference in power envelope, reflecting the mobile versus desktop split.

Clock speeds also differ substantially. The i5-3570K has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i3-1005G1 has a base clock of 1200.00 MHz (1.20 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Note the enormous gap between base and boost on the i3-1005G1; this is typical of low-power mobile parts that can briefly turbo to higher frequencies under light load. The i5-3570K also has an unlocked multiplier, so it is designed for overclocking, while the i3-1005G1 is locked.

The cache hierarchy is similar in structure but different in total capacity. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache differs: the i5-3570K has 6 MB shared, while the i3-1005G1 has 4 MB shared. Memory support also differs, with the i5-3570K using DDR3 and the i3-1005G1 using DDR4. Memory bandwidth is dramatically higher on the newer chip: 51.2 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s, a doubling that reflects the newer memory standard. Neither supports ECC memory.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-3570K carries Intel HD 4000, while the i3-1005G1 has UHD Graphics. PCIe support differs: the i5-3570K has Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i3-1005G1 has Gen 3 without a lane count recorded. The sockets are incompatible, with the i5-3570K using Intel Socket 1155 and the i3-1005G1 using Intel BGA 1526. The part numbers are also different: SR0PM for the i5-3570K and SRG0SSRGKF for the i3-1005G1.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570K has 4 physical cores and 4 threads. The Intel Core i3-1005G1 has 2 physical cores and 4 threads, using Hyper-Threading to match the thread count.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Geekbench single-core test shows the Intel Core i3-1005G1 ahead with 1083 points versus 776 for the i5-3570K, a 28.3% difference. However, the i5-3570K wins all three Cinebench single-core tests, with margins of 5.3%, 3.7%, and 3.8%.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multicore performance?

A: The i5-3570K wins every multicore test in the database. It leads by 3.7% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore, and by 13.5% in Geekbench multicore.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-3570K has a 77 W TDP, while the i3-1005G1 has a 15 W TDP. This reflects the desktop versus mobile design split.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The i5-3570K uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i3-1005G1 uses Intel BGA 1526. They also support different memory types: DDR3 for the i5-3570K and DDR4 for the i3-1005G1.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The i5-3570K has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i3-1005G1 has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, but its base clock is only 1200.00 MHz.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category. In terms of cores and threads, the i5-3570K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-1005G1 has 2 cores and 4 threads. The base clock is 3.40 GHz for the i5-3570K versus 1200.00 MHz for the i3-1005G1, and the boost clock is 3.80 GHz versus 3.40 GHz. TDP stands at 77 W versus 15 W.

The socket differs: Intel Socket 1155 for the i5-3570K, Intel BGA 1526 for the i3-1005G1. The architecture is Ivy Bridge versus Ice Lake, with the codename Ivy Bridge versus Ice Lake-U. The process node is 22 nm versus 10 nm. The i5-3570K has 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die, while the i3-1005G1 has no recorded transistor count on a 123 mm² die.

Cache sizes differ in the L3 level: 6 MB shared for the i5-3570K, 4 MB shared for the i3-1005G1. L1 and L2 are identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core. Memory support is DDR3 versus DDR4, with memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for the i5-3570K, versus Gen 3 with no lane count for the i3-1005G1. Integrated graphics are Intel HD 4000 versus UHD Graphics.

The market segment is Desktop for the i5-3570K and Mobile for the i3-1005G1. Production status is end-of-life versus active. Release dates are 2012-04-28 for the i5-3570K and 2019-07-31 for the i3-1005G1. The launch MSRP of the i5-3570K is $212; no launch MSRP is recorded for the i3-1005G1. The multiplier is unlocked on the i5-3570K and locked on the i3-1005G1. Part numbers are SR0PM and SRG0SSRGKF.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for multicore and overall performance: the Intel Core i5-3570K is the better processor. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, including every Cinebench test and Geekbench multicore. Its two extra physical cores provide a consistent edge in threaded workloads, and the gap is substantial in Geekbench multicore at 13.5%. The i5-3570K also has a higher boost clock (3.80 GHz versus 3.40 GHz), a larger L3 cache (6 MB versus 4 MB), and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.

For single-core workloads, the picture is mixed. The i3-1005G1 wins the Geekbench single-core test by a wide margin, 1083 versus 776, which is a 28.3% difference. But it loses all three Cinebench single-core tests, meaning its single-core advantage is not universal across all benchmark methodologies. The newer Ice Lake architecture, 10 nm process, and higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s) give the i3-1005G1 modern features, but these do not translate into a comprehensive performance win.

The i3-1005G1's strongest argument is efficiency. Its 15 W TDP versus 77 W makes it suitable for thin-and-light mobile devices where battery life and thermals matter more than raw throughput. The i5-3570K, with its 77 W TDP, desktop socket, and end-of-life status, is a legacy part that still holds up in compute performance but lacks modern platform features like DDR4 support.

Neither processor stands out in the broader CPU landscape. Both sit at the 35th percentile of all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores (1293 versus 1265) are close. The i5-3570K's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-3630QM, is only 0.3% behind its average score, while the i3-1005G1's nearest rival, the Intel Core i5-4670T, is 0.5% ahead. These are tightly clustered parts.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3570K wins in any scenario that emphasizes multicore throughput. Its 4 physical cores deliver consistent wins across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, and the 13.5% Geekbench multicore margin shows it handles parallel workloads significantly better. Desktop users with access to an Intel Socket 1155 motherboard, DDR3 memory, and the ability to overclock (thanks to the unlocked multiplier) will get the better raw performance from this chip. Its 77 W TDP is a non-issue for a desktop tower with adequate cooling.

The Intel Core i3-1005G1 wins in the Geekbench single-core test, where its 1083 score dwarfs the i5-3570K's 776. This suggests it has an advantage in lightly threaded applications that respond well to the newer Ice Lake architecture and its higher memory bandwidth. The 15 W TDP makes it the obvious choice for battery-powered mobile devices, and its active production status means it is still available in current systems. The BGA 1526 socket, DDR4 support, and UHD Graphics are modern platform features that the i5-3570K cannot offer.

For users who prioritize single-core responsiveness in a low-power mobile package, the i3-1005G1 is the pick. For anyone building or upgrading a desktop system with Socket 1155 and needing the best multicore performance from these two options, the i5-3570K is the clear winner based on the recorded benchmark data. The 7-to-1 head-to-head record is decisive, even if the i3-1005G1's single-core Geekbench result shows it has a specific strength worth acknowledging.