Intel Core i3-7350K vs Intel Core i5-4570S Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K records an average benchmark score of 1462, while the Intel Core i5-4570S averages 1426. The i3-7350K sits at the 38th percentile of all CPUs, and the i5-4570S sits at the 37th percentile.

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

A: The i5-4570S wins every multi-core Cinebench test, but by a narrow margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5 scores 4256 versus the i3's 4144, a 2.6% difference. The i3-7350K wins the Geekbench multi-core test with 3018 versus 2945, a 2.5% advantage.

Q: Which processor has the larger single-core lead in Geekbench?

A: The i3-7350K is decisively ahead in Geekbench single-core, scoring 1488 versus the i5-4570S's 1083. That is a 37.4% advantage, the largest margin between the two in any recorded test.

Q: What are the core and thread configurations?

A: The i3-7350K has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-4570S has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i3 has a base clock of 4.20 GHz with no boost clock listed, while the i5 has a 2.90 GHz base clock and a 3.60 GHz boost clock.

Q: Which processor is unlocked for overclocking?

A: The i3-7350K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable. The i5-4570S has a locked multiplier, so it cannot be overclocked in the same manner.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The i3-7350K supports DDR4 memory with dual-channel operation and a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-4570S supports DDR3 memory with dual-channel operation, and its bandwidth is not recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and manufacturing nodes. The i3-7350K is built on Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process, while the i5-4570S uses Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process. The i5's die is 177 mm² and contains 1,400 million transistors, figures that are not recorded for the i3. This node advantage gives the i3 a smaller, more modern fabrication baseline.

Core topology differs significantly. The i3-7350K provides 2 physical cores with Hyper-Threading, resulting in 4 threads. The i5-4570S provides 4 physical cores with no Hyper-Threading, also resulting in 4 threads. Despite the same thread count, the i5 has twice the physical core count, which matters for workloads that scale with true cores.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. The L3 cache, however, favors the i5: the i5-4570S carries 6 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the i3-7350K has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5's extra 2 MB of last-level cache reflects its quad-core design.

Memory support is another clear division. The i3-7350K uses DDR4 memory and records a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-4570S uses DDR3 memory, and its bandwidth is not listed in the database. Both run dual-channel memory buses.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-7350K pairs with Intel HD 630 graphics, while the i5-4570S uses Intel HD 4600. The i3 also has a newer PCIe implementation listed as Gen 3 with 16 lanes on the CPU, while the i5 lists simply Gen 3 without lane detail.

Socket compatibility separates the platforms entirely. The i3-7350K mounts on Intel Socket 1151, and the i5-4570S mounts on Intel Socket 1150. The i3 has an unlocked multiplier and an active production status, while the i5's production status is not recorded. The i5 launched earlier, in 2013, while the i3 arrived in 2017. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-4570S wins six of the eight head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but nearly all of its victories are narrow. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 428 versus the i3's 417, a 2.6% edge. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i5 scores 60 versus 58, a 3.3% margin. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core: 1787 for the i5 versus 1740 for the i3, again a 2.6% difference. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5 leads 252 to 245, or 2.8%.

Cinebench R23 shows the same trend. The i5-4570S scores 4256 in multi-core against the i3's 4144, a 2.6% gap. In single-core, the i5 scores 600 versus 585, a 2.5% gap. Across all Cinebench versions, the i5's advantage stays between 2.5% and 3.3%, never breaking out to a commanding lead. These results indicate that the i5's four physical cores provide a consistent, modest edge in Cinebench's rendering workloads, but the i3's higher clock speed keeps the gap tight.

The i3-7350K claims the two Geekbench tests, and one of them is a landslide. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3 scores 3018 against the i5's 2945, a 2.5% win. In Geekbench single-core, the i3 scores 1488 against the i5's 1083, a 37.4% blowout. That single-core result is the defining benchmark of this matchup. The i3's 4.20 GHz base clock, combined with its newer Kaby Lake architecture, delivers a massive single-threaded advantage over the i5's 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost.

The average scores reinforce the split. The i3-7350K averages 1462 overall, placing it 0.1% above the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 2200GE, 0.2% below the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5, 0.4% above the Intel Xeon E3-1515M v5, and 0.7% below the Intel Core i7-4710HQ. The i5-4570S averages 1426, placing it 0.2% above the Intel Core i7-3820, 0.3% above the Intel Xeon Bronze 3106, 0.4% above the Intel Core i7-3720QM, and 0.5% above the AMD Opteron 4274 HE. The i3's 36-point average advantage over the i5 is small in absolute terms, but its single-core ceiling is far higher.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-7350K | Intel Core i5-4570S |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base clock | 4.20 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost clock | None listed | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 60 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Haswell |

| Process node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,400 million |

| Die size | Not listed | 177 mm² |

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

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated graphics | Intel HD 630 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

| Production status | Active | Not listed |

| Release date | 2017-01-02 | 2013-06-01 |

| Part number | SR35B | SR14J |

The i5-4570S has more cores, more L3 cache, and a boost clock, but the i3-7350K has a much higher base clock, a newer architecture, a smaller process node, a lower TDP, and an unlocked multiplier. The i3 also supports DDR4 and lists a memory bandwidth figure, while the i5 is tied to DDR3 with no bandwidth recorded.

The Verdict

The data points to two different strengths. The i5-4570S is the steadier multi-threaded performer in Cinebench, winning all six Cinebench comparisons with margins between 2.5% and 3.3%. It also has twice the physical core count and a larger L3 cache. The i3-7350K, however, wins the Geekbench single-core test by 37.4% and the Geekbench multi-core test by 2.5%, while carrying a higher base clock, a newer 14 nm process, lower TDP, and an unlocked multiplier.

For users who prioritize single-threaded speed, the i3-7350K is the clear choice. Its 1488 Geekbench single-core score against 1083 for the i5 is not a marginal difference; it is a generational gap. The i5-4570S, meanwhile, is the pick for workloads that mirror Cinebench's rendering patterns, where its four physical cores consistently outpace the i3's two cores with Hyper-Threading.

The average benchmark scores favor the i3-7350K, 1462 to 1426, and its percentile ranking is one point higher at 38 versus 37. The i3 is also the only one of the two with an unlocked multiplier and active production status. The i5's advantages are real but narrow, confined to a 2.5% to 3.3% band in Cinebench. The i3's single-core dominance is the outlier that defines this comparison.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i3-7350K: This processor wins in Geekbench single-core by a massive 37.4%, scoring 1488 versus 1083. It also takes Geekbench multi-core with 3018 versus 2945, a 2.5% margin. Users running single-threaded applications, older software that relies on one core, or tasks that favor high clock speeds will see the largest benefit here. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for overclocking, and the 14 nm Kaby Lake architecture brings a lower 60 W TDP and DDR4 memory support. The i3 also holds a higher average benchmark score, 1462 versus 1426, and a higher percentile ranking at 38 versus 37.

Intel Core i5-4570S: This processor wins every Cinebench test in the head-to-head set. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 428 against 417, in R20 multi-core 1787 against 1740, and in R23 multi-core 4256 against 4144, each time by 2.6%. Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern: R15 at 60 against 58, R20 252 against 245, and R23 600 against 585. The i5's four physical cores and 6 MB of L3 cache give it a consistent edge in multi-threaded rendering workloads. It also has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, which the i3 lacks, though the i3's 4.20 GHz base clock still produces the higher single-core Geekbench result.