Intel Core i3-4170T vs Intel Core i5-4570TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data splits this comparison into two distinct narratives. Across the Cinebench suite, the Intel Core i5-4570TE takes a narrow but consistent lead in every single test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-4570TE scores 270 against the i3-4170T's 268, a margin of 0.7 percent. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-4570TE posts 1126 versus 1120, a 0.5 percent advantage. Single-core results tell the same story: the i5-4570TE leads in Cinebench R20 single-core with 158 points to 157, and in Cinebench R23 single-core with 378 to 376. The largest Cinebench gap appears in R23 multi-core, where the i5-4570TE scores 2681 against 2667, again a 0.5 percent difference. These are slim margins, but they are uniform across all five Cinebench iterations, indicating a consistent, if modest, performance edge for the i5-4570TE in rendering workloads.

The Geekbench suite flips the script. Here, the Intel Core i3-4170T emerges as the winner in both tests. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-4170T scores 1945 against the i5-4570TE's 1857, a substantial 4.7 percent advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head comparison, and it represents a clear win for the i3-4170T in this particular benchmark. Geekbench single-core is closer, with the i3-4170T scoring 972 against 966, a 0.6 percent edge. So while the i5-4570TE dominates the Cinebench suite, the i3-4170T takes the Geekbench crown, and it does so decisively in the multi-core test.

Overall, the win count favors the i5-4570TE, which claims 5 victories out of 7 benchmark tests. However, the magnitude of the i3-4170T's Geekbench multi-core win is larger than any individual Cinebench margin. This creates an interesting analytical puzzle: which benchmark suite better represents real-world performance? The data does not answer that question directly, but it does show that the two processors are remarkably close in average performance. The i3-4170T holds an average benchmark score of 1072, while the i5-4570TE sits at 1062, a difference of just 10 points. This places the i3-4170T at the 30th percentile of all CPUs, with the i5-4570TE one point lower at the 29th percentile. In the context of their nearest rivals, both processors trade blows with similar-tier parts. The i3-4170T matches the Intel Core i5-5287U exactly at 1072, and it is 0.1 percent ahead of both the AMD Athlon X4 880K and the AMD Opteron 3380. The i5-4570TE is 0.1 percent ahead of the AMD Opteron 4376 HE and the Intel Core i3-4360, while sitting 0.1 percent behind the Intel Core i5-2380P.

The Verdict

The data points to a split decision based on workload type. For users who prioritize Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the Intel Core i5-4570TE is the better choice. It wins every Cinebench test, from R15 to R23, across both multi-core and single-core workloads. The margins are small, ranging from 0.5 to 0.7 percent, but they are consistent and cumulative. For users who rely on Geekbench-style system-level assessments, particularly multi-core performance, the Intel Core i3-4170T is the stronger part. Its 4.7 percent lead in Geekbench multi-core is the standout result in this comparison, and its 0.6 percent single-core edge adds to the case.

Given that the i5-4570TE wins 5 of 7 tests, the overall benchmark record favors it. However, the i3-4170T's higher average score (1072 versus 1062) and higher percentile ranking (30th versus 29th) complicate a simple verdict. The i3-4170T also has a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz, while the i5-4570TE operates at 2.70 GHz base with a 3.30 GHz boost. This suggests that in workloads that do not scale well with boost clocks, the i3-4170T may hold an advantage. The practical takeaway is that neither processor is a clear winner across all scenarios. The i5-4570TE is the pick for Cinebench-heavy workflows, while the i3-4170T is the pick for Geekbench-oriented tasks. For general use, the i3-4170T's higher average score and percentile position give it a slight edge in the database's overall ranking.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170T has an average benchmark score of 1072, which is 10 points higher than the Intel Core i5-4570TE's average of 1062.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570TE scores 2681 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i3-4170T scores 2667. This gives the i5-4570TE a 0.5 percent lead in that test.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench multi-core, where the Intel Core i3-4170T scores 1945 against the Intel Core i5-4570TE's 1857, a 4.7 percent difference in favor of the i3-4170T.

Q: Which processor wins the majority of head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570TE wins 5 out of 7 head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i3-4170T wins 2.

Q: Are the two processors in the same performance percentile?

A: They are very close. The Intel Core i3-4170T is at the 30th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core i5-4570TE is at the 29th percentile.

Q: How do the processors compare in Geekbench single-core?

A: The Intel Core i3-4170T scores 972 in Geekbench single-core, while the Intel Core i5-4570TE scores 966, a 0.6 percent advantage for the i3-4170T.

Specification Differences

The two processors share a common foundation but diverge in several key specifications. Both use the Intel Socket 1150 and are built on the Haswell architecture with a 22 nm process node. Both have 2 cores and 4 threads, and both are rated at a 35 W TDP. The transistor count is identical at 1,400 million, and the die size is the same at 177 mm². Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both feature a locked multiplier.

The differences begin with clock speeds. The Intel Core i3-4170T has a base clock of 3.20 GHz with no boost clock, while the Intel Core i5-4570TE has a base clock of 2.70 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. Cache allocation also differs: the i3-4170T has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-4570TE has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB and 256 KB per core, respectively.

Memory support shows a notable difference. The i3-4170T lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4570TE has no recorded memory bandwidth figure in the database. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration. PCIe support is similar but not identical: the i3-4170T lists "Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)", while the i5-4570TE simply lists "Gen 3". Integrated graphics differ as well, with the i3-4170T featuring Intel HD 4400 and the i5-4570TE featuring Intel HD 4600.

The release dates are distinct. The Intel Core i3-4170T was released on 2015-03-29, while the Intel Core i5-4570TE was released earlier, on 2013-06-01. The i3-4170T is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the i5-4570TE has no recorded production status. Part numbers also differ: SR1TC for the i3-4170T and SR172 for the i5-4570TE.

Architecture Differences

Both processors belong to the Haswell generation, which is reflected in their codename and architecture designation. They are manufactured by Intel on the same 22 nm process node at the same foundry, with identical transistor counts and die sizes. The core and thread counts are also identical at 2 cores and 4 threads, and both are classified as Desktop market segment parts.

The architectural differences are subtle but measurable. The i5-4570TE carries a larger shared L3 cache at 4 MB, compared to the i3-4170T's 3 MB. This additional cache may contribute to the i5-4570TE's consistent, if small, advantage in the Cinebench suite. The i3-4170T counters with a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz, which likely explains its stronger Geekbench multi-core performance despite lacking a boost clock. The i5-4570TE's boost clock of 3.30 GHz provides a higher peak frequency, but the i3-4170T's sustained base clock appears to serve it well in certain workloads.

The integrated graphics differ, with the i5-4570TE featuring Intel HD 4600 and the i3-4170T featuring Intel HD 4400. This suggests the i5-4570TE has a slightly more capable graphics solution, though the database does not provide specific graphics benchmarks. The memory bandwidth figure for the i3-4170T is 25.6 GB/s, while no such figure is recorded for the i5-4570TE, leaving a gap in direct comparison for that specification. Both processors support Gen 3 PCIe, but the i3-4170T specifies 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-4570TE does not list a lane count.

The generation labels differ at the product level: the i3-4170T is classified as "Core i3 (Haswell)", while the i5-4570TE is classified as "Core i5 (Haswell)". This naming reflects their market positioning within the same architectural family. The architectural similarities are substantial, which is consistent with the close benchmark results. The differences that do exist, primarily in cache size and clock strategy, align with the observed performance patterns across the benchmark suite.