Intel Core i3-4170 vs Intel Core i5-3570S Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570S wins 5 of the 7 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i3-4170 wins 2. The i5-3570S takes all five Cinebench tests, while the i3-4170 wins both Geekbench tests.

Q: How large is the Cinebench advantage for the Intel Core i5-3570S?

A: The i5-3570S leads by 23.9% in Cinebench R15 multicore, R20 multicore, and R23 multicore, and by 23.7% to 23.8% in the single-core R20 and R23 tests. These deltas are nearly uniform across all five Cinebench workloads.

Q: Where does the Intel Core i3-4170 beat the i5-3570S?

A: The i3-4170 wins Geekbench multicore by 13.4% (2033 vs 1793) and Geekbench singlecore by 72.5% (1090 vs 632). The single-core margin is the largest delta in the entire comparison.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i3-4170 has an average benchmark score of 1193, while the i5-3570S sits at 1169. Both processors occupy the 33rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they perform at a similar overall level despite their divergent per-test results.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations?

A: The i3-4170 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-3570S has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i5-3570S also features a boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus a 3.70 GHz base clock on the i3-4170, which has no boost clock listed.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and PCIe standards?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i3-4170 is built on the Haswell architecture, while the Intel Core i5-3570S uses Ivy Bridge. Both are manufactured on a 22 nm process node by Intel, but the similarities end there. The i3-4170 has a die size of 177 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors. The i5-3570S has a smaller die at 133 mm², and the database does not list its transistor count.

Cache hierarchies differ significantly. Both processors share 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but the L3 cache is where the split becomes pronounced: the i3-4170 has 3 MB shared L3, while the i5-3570S has 6 MB shared L3. This doubling of L3 capacity likely contributes to the i5-3570S's consistent Cinebench wins, as the larger cache can hold more working data for multi-threaded rendering tasks.

The i3-4170 features Intel HD 4400 integrated graphics, whereas the i5-3570S ships with Intel HD 2500. Both are desktop processors with locked multipliers, but the i3-4170 carries a TDP of 54 watts versus 65 watts for the i5-3570S, meaning the newer chip is more power-efficient on paper. The i3-4170 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3570S uses Intel Socket 1155, so they are not platform-compatible.

The i3-4170 was released in 2014 and is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-3570S debuted in 2012 with no production status listed. The i3-4170 has a launch MSRP of $117, the only pricing data in the record. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiator here.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data paints a split picture. In Cinebench workloads, the i5-3570S is the clear victor, and the margins are strikingly consistent. Across Cinebench R15 multicore (402 vs 306), R20 multicore (1676 vs 1275), and R23 multicore (3991 vs 3038), the i5-3570S leads by exactly 23.9% each time. This uniformity suggests a structural advantage, likely from the additional two physical cores, rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern. In R20 single-core, the i5-3570S scores 236 versus 180 for the i3-4170, a 23.7% lead. In R23 single-core, the margin is 23.8% (563 vs 429). The consistency across both multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests implies that the i5-3570S's higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz, combined with its larger L3 cache, gives it a sustained advantage in rendering tasks that the i3-4170's 3.70 GHz base clock cannot overcome.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative. The i3-4170 wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 2033 against 1793, a 13.4% advantage. More dramatically, in Geekbench singlecore, the i3-4170 scores 1090 versus 632, a 72.5% lead. This delta is the largest in the entire comparison and suggests that the i3-4170's Haswell architecture delivers substantially better performance per clock in certain integer and memory-latency workloads, even though it trails in raw rendering throughput.

The data shows a real paradox: the i5-3570S dominates in Cinebench with margins near 24%, but the i3-4170 crushes it in Geekbench singlecore by nearly three-quarters. The average benchmark scores (1193 for the i3-4170, 1169 for the i5-3570S) are close, but that average hides the bimodal distribution of wins. The i5-3570S has 5 wins to the i3-4170's 2, yet the i3-4170's wins are lopsided enough to keep its average score competitive.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several recorded specifications. The i3-4170 has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-3570S has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ: 3.70 GHz for the i3-4170 versus 3.10 GHz for the i5-3570S, though the i5-3570S adds a boost clock of 3.80 GHz while the i3-4170 has none listed.

Thermal design power differs as well, with the i3-4170 rated at 54 watts and the i5-3570S at 65 watts. The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1150 for the i3-4170, Intel Socket 1155 for the i5-3570S. Architecture and codename differ (Haswell vs Ivy Bridge), as do the part numbers (SR1PL vs SR0T9).

Cache capacity is another clear split: 3 MB shared L3 on the i3-4170 versus 6 MB shared L3 on the i5-3570S. Die size is larger on the i3-4170 (177 mm² vs 133 mm²), and transistor count is listed only for the i3-4170 (1,400 million). Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4400 versus Intel HD 2500. Memory bandwidth is listed for the i3-4170 at 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-3570S has no recorded figure.

Release dates differ by about two years: the i3-4170 launched in April 2014, the i5-3570S in May 2012. The i3-4170 has a launch MSRP of $117; the i5-3570S has no launch MSRP in the database. Both support DDR3 dual-channel memory, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, and neither supports ECC memory or an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-3570S wins in all Cinebench scenarios, which are heavily threaded rendering workloads. Its 4 physical cores provide a clear scaling advantage over the i3-4170's 2 cores with 4 threads. The 23.9% multicore lead in R15, R20, and R23, plus the 23.7% to 23.8% single-core lead in R20 and R23, makes the i5-3570S the choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, or any application that relies on sustained CPU throughput. The larger 6 MB L3 cache likely helps here, as does the higher 3.80 GHz boost clock.

The i3-4170 wins in Geekbench, which tends to emphasize memory latency, branch prediction, and per-clock efficiency. Its 13.4% multicore lead and 72.5% single-core lead are substantial. For general desktop use, web browsing, office productivity, or lightly threaded applications, the i3-4170's Haswell architecture appears to offer better responsiveness per clock. The lower 54 watt TDP also makes it the more power-efficient option for builds where heat and energy draw are considerations.

The socket difference matters for upgrades: the i3-4170 fits Socket 1150 boards, while the i5-3570S requires Socket 1155. Neither chip is unlocked, so overclocking is off the table for both. The i3-4170's integrated graphics (HD 4400) are more capable on paper than the i5-3570S's HD 2500, which could matter for systems without a discrete GPU.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split decision. For workloads dominated by Cinebench-style rendering, the Intel Core i5-3570S is the stronger processor. Its 5 benchmark wins, all with deltas near 24%, show a consistent and substantial lead in multi-threaded compute. The 4 physical cores and 6 MB L3 cache are the likely drivers of this advantage. Users running video encodes, 3D renders, or batch processing should prefer the i5-3570S without hesitation.

For lightweight, latency-sensitive tasks and general productivity, the Intel Core i3-4170 is the better pick. Its Geekbench single-core score is 72.5% higher, and its multicore Geekbench result is 13.4% higher. The newer Haswell architecture appears to deliver better per-core efficiency despite having fewer physical cores. The lower 54 watt TDP and more capable HD 4400 integrated graphics add to its appeal for compact or power-conscious desktop builds.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1193 vs 1169), and both sit at the 33rd percentile among all CPUs. This means the overall performance class is the same, but the distribution of wins matters more than the average. The i5-3570S is a rendering workhorse with a clear Cinebench dominance. The i3-4170 is a responsive everyday chip with a massive Geekbench single-core edge. Choosing between them comes down to the specific application mix: rendering favors the i5-3570S, general desktop responsiveness favors the i3-4170. The socket incompatibility means the decision also dictates the motherboard platform, so buyers should consider the full system context before committing to either.