Intel Core i3-7100T vs Intel Core i5-3570K Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570K has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-7100T has 2 physical cores. Both processors support 4 threads, meaning the i5-3570K uses one thread per core, while the i3-7100T uses Hyper-Threading to reach 4 threads.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-3570K scores 4221 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 33% ahead of the Intel Core i3-7100T’s score of 3175. This is the largest multi-core advantage in the recorded data.

Q: Which processor wins single-core Geekbench performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-7100T wins single-core Geekbench with a score of 1111, which is 30.2% higher than the Intel Core i5-3570K’s score of 776. This is the only benchmark in the head-to-head data where the i3-7100T comes out ahead.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570K has a TDP of 77 watts, while the Intel Core i3-7100T has a TDP of 35 watts. The i3-7100T is rated for significantly lower power consumption.

Q: Do both processors support DDR4 memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-3570K supports DDR3 memory, while the Intel Core i3-7100T supports DDR4 memory. The i3-7100T also has a higher memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s compared to 25.6 GB/s for the i5-3570K.

Q: Which processor has a higher overall benchmark percentile ranking?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570K sits at the 35th percentile of all CPUs, while the Intel Core i3-7100T sits at the 34th percentile. The average benchmark score for the i5-3570K is 1293, compared to 1258 for the i3-7100T.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-3570K is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process node. It is a 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The chip has a shared 6 MB L3 cache, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. It integrates Intel HD 4000 graphics and supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus. The processor uses the Intel Socket 1155 and has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking. Its die size is 160 mm² and it packs 1,400 million transistors.

The Intel Core i3-7100T uses the newer Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node. It is a 2-core, 4-thread processor with Hyper-Threading, running at a base clock of 3.40 GHz with no boost clock. The L3 cache is halved to 3 MB shared, while L1 and L2 remain at 64 KB and 256 KB per core. It features Intel HD 630 integrated graphics and moves to DDR4 memory support with a dual-channel bus. The socket changes to Intel Socket 1151, and the multiplier is locked, preventing overclocking. The production status for the i5-3570K is end-of-life, while the i3-7100T remains active.

Process node differences are significant: the 14 nm Kaby Lake part is newer than the 22 nm Ivy Bridge part, although the i5-3570K compensates with more physical cores and a larger cache pool. The i3-7100T also has a higher memory bandwidth figure at 38.4 GB/s versus 25.6 GB/s, reflecting the move to DDR4. Both processors support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows the Intel Core i5-3570K winning 6 of 7 recorded benchmarks, with the Intel Core i3-7100T taking a single win. The largest victories for the i5-3570K come in the Cinebench suite, where multi-core and single-core tests show consistent margins.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3570K scores 425 against the i3-7100T’s 319, a 33.2% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows a similar picture: 1772 versus 1333, a 32.9% advantage. Cinebench R23 multi-core follows with 4221 versus 3175, again a 32.9% gap. The single-core Cinebench results are also decisive: R20 single-core is 250 versus 188 (33% ahead), and R23 single-core is 596 versus 448 (33% ahead). These numbers indicate that the i5-3570K’s advantage is not merely core-count driven; it also leads in single-threaded Cinebench workloads.

The Geekbench results tell a more nuanced story. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-3570K scores 2245 versus 2230 for the i3-7100T, a narrow 0.7% margin. This near-tie suggests that in some multi-threaded workloads, the i3-7100T’s Hyper-Threading and newer architecture can nearly match the older quad-core chip. In Geekbench single-core, the i3-7100T takes the win outright with 1111 versus 776, a 30.2% advantage for the newer part. This is the only head-to-head test where the i3-7100T leads, and it does so by a substantial margin.

The benchmark data shows a clear split: the i5-3570K dominates in Cinebench across both single-core and multi-core, while the i3-7100T wins decisively in Geekbench single-core. The Geekbench multi-core result is the closest contest, with the i5-3570K barely edging ahead.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field. The i5-3570K has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-7100T has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are identical at 3.40 GHz, but only the i5-3570K has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. TDP differs substantially: 77 watts for the i5-3570K versus 35 watts for the i3-7100T.

Sockets are incompatible: the i5-3570K uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i3-7100T uses Intel Socket 1151. Architecture generations differ, with Ivy Bridge versus Kaby Lake. Process nodes are 22 nm versus 14 nm. The i5-3570K has a die size of 160 mm² and 1,400 million transistors; the i3-7100T has no recorded die size or transistor count.

Cache configurations differ: L3 is 6 MB shared on the i5-3570K versus 3 MB shared on the i3-7100T. L1 and L2 are the same per-core at 64 KB and 256 KB. Memory support changes from DDR3 to DDR4, with bandwidth increasing from 25.6 GB/s to 38.4 GB/s. Integrated graphics move from Intel HD 4000 to Intel HD 630.

The i5-3570K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking; the i3-7100T is locked. Production status differs as well: the i5-3570K is end-of-life, while the i3-7100T is active. The i5-3570K launched with an MSRP of $212, while the i3-7100T has no recorded launch MSRP. Part numbers are SR0PM for the i5-3570K and SR35P for the i3-7100T.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3570K wins decisively in Cinebench workloads. Both single-core and multi-core Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests show the i5-3570K ahead by roughly 33%. This makes it the stronger choice for rendering, 3D modeling, and other Cinebench-style compute tasks. The Geekbench multi-core result also favors the i5-3570K, though only by 0.7%, indicating that the older quad-core chip can still hold its own in mixed multi-threaded applications.

The Intel Core i3-7100T wins in Geekbench single-core by a wide 30.2% margin. This suggests it has superior per-thread performance in certain workloads, likely benefiting from the newer Kaby Lake architecture and higher memory bandwidth. The i3-7100T also has a much lower TDP of 35 watts versus 77 watts, making it far more power-efficient. For tasks that are lightly threaded and sensitive to single-core speed, the i3-7100T is the better performer.

The i5-3570K offers more L3 cache (6 MB versus 3 MB) and four physical cores, which helps in heavily parallel workloads. The i3-7100T counters with DDR4 support and a higher memory bandwidth ceiling, which can benefit memory-intensive single-threaded tasks. The i5-3570K’s unlocked multiplier gives overclocking headroom, while the i3-7100T’s locked multiplier does not.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split. Users who prioritize multi-core compute performance should choose the Intel Core i5-3570K. It wins 6 of 7 head-to-head benchmarks, including all Cinebench tests and Geekbench multi-core. The consistent 33% lead in Cinebench across versions indicates a robust advantage in rendering and similar workloads. The i5-3570K also offers overclocking capability, which the i3-7100T lacks.

Users who need maximum single-core Geekbench performance should pick the Intel Core i3-7100T. Its 30.2% lead in Geekbench single-core is substantial, and its 35 watt TDP makes it a more power-efficient choice. The i3-7100T also supports DDR4 memory and has a higher memory bandwidth, which may matter for specific applications.

The i5-3570K sits at the 35th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 1293. The i3-7100T sits at the 34th percentile with an average score of 1258. The i5-3570K’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3630QM (0.3% ahead) and the AMD Opteron 6272 (0.4% behind). The i3-7100T’s nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3615QM (0.2% ahead) and the AMD Athlon 200GE (0.2% behind). These figures place both processors in a similar overall performance tier, but with different strengths.

In summary, the i5-3570K is the better all-round performer in the recorded benchmarks, winning the majority of tests. The i3-7100T is the better choice for single-core Geekbench workloads and for builds where lower power consumption is a priority. The decision hinges on whether the workload is Cinebench-heavy or Geekbench-single-core-heavy, and whether the user values the i5-3570K’s overclocking headroom or the i3-7100T’s efficiency and DDR4 support.