CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i3-7320 and Intel Core i5-3570S are two desktop processors from different eras, separated by nearly five years of architectural evolution. The data shows a consistent, though narrow, performance advantage for the newer i3-7320 across every Cinebench benchmark, despite the i5-3570S offering twice the physical core count. This comparison highlights how generational improvements in IPC and clock speed can offset a raw core deficit, while also underscoring significant differences in platform compatibility and memory support.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570S has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-7320 has only 2 cores.

Q: Does the i3-7320 support multithreading?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i3-7320 supports 4 threads via Hyper-Threading, matching the thread count of the i5-3570S, which has 4 threads from its 4 physical cores.

Q: What is the difference in their base clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core i3-7320 has a base clock of 4.10 GHz, which is 1.0 GHz higher than the i5-3570S's base clock of 3.10 GHz. The i5-3570S does have a boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570S has a 6 MB shared L3 cache, which is 2 MB larger than the 4 MB shared L3 cache found on the Intel Core i3-7320.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The Intel Core i3-7320 supports DDR4 memory, while the Intel Core i5-3570S supports DDR3 memory.

Q: Which processor wins in all head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i3-7320 wins in all 6 head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, with winning margins ranging from 1.5% to 1.8%.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architectural split between these two CPUs is substantial. The Intel Core i3-7320 is built on the Kaby Lake architecture, utilizing a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-3570S uses the older Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node. This process shrink is a key factor in the i3-7320's higher efficiency and clock speed potential.

The core configurations are starkly different. The i3-7320 is a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading, providing 2 cores and 4 threads. The i5-3570S is a true quad-core processor with 4 cores and 4 threads, lacking Hyper-Threading. This means the i5-3570S has physical core advantage, but the i3-7320 compensates with a 4.10 GHz base clock, which is significantly higher than the i5-3570S's 3.10 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost clocks.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Both CPUs have 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. However, the L3 cache is a point of differentiation: the i3-7320 has 4 MB shared, while the i5-3570S has a larger 6 MB shared pool. The i5-3570S also has a listed die size of 133 mm², a detail not available for the i3-7320.

Platform support is another major divider. The i3-7320 uses the Intel Socket 1151 and supports DDR4 memory with a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-3570S uses the older Intel Socket 1155 and supports DDR3 memory. Both support dual-channel memory and have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ as well, with the i3-7320 featuring Intel HD 630 and the i5-3570S featuring the older Intel HD 2500.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a clear, albeit narrow, sweep for the Intel Core i3-7320. It wins in all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, covering both single-core and multi-core workloads across three different Cinebench versions. In single-core tests, the i3-7320's high 4.10 GHz base clock provides a decisive edge, delivering consistent 1.6% to 1.8% improvements over the i5-3570S.

In multi-core tests, the i3-7320 also wins, despite having only 2 physical cores versus the i5-3570S's 4 cores. The i3-7320's 4 threads allow it to leverage Hyper-Threading, and its superior per-core performance from the newer Kaby Lake architecture more than compensates for the i5-3570S's two extra physical cores. The margins in multi-core tests are slightly smaller (1.5% to 1.7%) than in single-core tests, suggesting that the i5-3570S's additional cores help it close the gap but are not enough to overcome the i3-7320's architectural efficiency.

For specific use cases, the i3-7320 is the better choice for tasks that rely heavily on single-threaded performance, such as older games or lightly threaded applications, where its clock speed advantage shines. The i5-3570S, with its 4 physical cores, might be more suitable for multi-tasking scenarios where having more independent cores is beneficial, even if each core is slower. However, in the Cinebench multi-core benchmarks, the i3-7320 still manages to edge out a win, indicating its threads are highly efficient.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-7320 | Intel Core i5-3570S |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 4.10 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 51 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Die Size | Not specified | 133 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not specified |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 630 | Intel HD 2500 |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2012-05-31 |

| Part Number | SR358 | SR0T9 |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data presents a uniform picture: the Intel Core i3-7320 wins every comparison. The largest margin is in the Cinebench R15 single-core test, where the i3-7320 scores 57 against the i5-3570S's 56, a 1.8% advantage. This is directly attributable to the i3-7320's higher clock speed and newer architecture.

In multi-core tests, the i3-7320 maintains its lead. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i3-7320 scores 408 versus 402 for the i5-3570S, a 1.5% difference. The Cinebench R20 multi-core test shows a similar 1.6% lead (1703 vs 1676), and the Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows a 1.7% lead (4057 vs 3991). This is notable because the i5-3570S has twice the physical cores, yet still loses in multi-threaded workloads.

The single-core results follow a similar pattern across all versions. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i3-7320 scores 240 versus 236, a 1.7% win. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 572 versus 563, a 1.6% win. These consistent margins indicate that the i3-7320's architectural advantage is stable across different benchmark iterations.

The average benchmark score data also confirms this. The i3-7320 has an average benchmark score of 1173, placing it at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3635QM (score 1170, delta 0.3%) and the Intel Core i5-3570S itself (score 1169, delta 0.4%). The i5-3570S has an average score of 1169, also at the 33rd percentile, with its nearest rivals including the Intel Core i7-2960XM (score 1169, delta 0%) and the AMD Opteron 6220 (score 1168, delta 0.1%). This places the two CPUs in essentially the same performance tier, with the i3-7320 holding a marginal overall edge.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the Intel Core i3-7320 is the superior processor in every benchmark category tested. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, from single-core to multi-core workloads, with margins between 1.5% and 1.8%. The i3-7320 achieves this with a lower TDP of 51 W, compared to the i5-3570S's 65 W, and on a newer 14 nm process.

For a user building a new system today, the i3-7320 is the clear choice. Its support for DDR4 memory, newer Socket 1151 platform, and higher clock speeds make it a more modern and efficient option. The i5-3570S, despite having more physical cores, cannot overcome the i3-7320's per-core performance advantage in these benchmarks.

However, the i5-3570S is not without merit in specific contexts. Its 4 physical cores could be advantageous in workloads that are optimized for multiple independent threads rather than fewer threaded threads with higher IPC. The larger 6 MB L3 cache is another point in its favor. But for the Cinebench tests presented, these advantages do not translate into a win.

The data suggests that the i3-7320 is the better all-around performer for the workloads tested. Its consistent wins, lower power draw, and modern platform support make it the recommended choice for most users. The i5-3570S is a capable processor from an older generation, but it is outmatched by the newer i3-7320 in every head-to-head comparison in this dataset.