Intel Core i5-2310 vs Intel Core i5-4570TE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i5-2310 across every shared Cinebench test. In multi-core workloads, the i5-2310 posts 314 points in Cinebench R15 versus 270 for the i5-4570TE, a 16.3% advantage. That same 16.3% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-2310 scores 1309 against 1126, and again in R23 multi-core with 3118 versus 2681. The pattern is consistent: the older Sandy Bridge part leads the newer Haswell chip by roughly the same margin regardless of the Cinebench version.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though the gap is slightly wider. The i5-2310 scores 184 in Cinebench R20 single-core, beating the i5-4570TE's 158 by 16.5%. In R23 single-core, the i5-2310's 440 tops the i5-4570TE's 378 by 16.4%. These are not marginal differences; they represent a clear and repeatable performance tier separation between the two processors.

The i5-4570TE does have one benchmark the i5-2310 lacks in the database: Geekbench. It scores 1857 multi-core and 966 single-core. Without a corresponding Geekbench result for the i5-2310, direct comparison on that test is not possible. However, the Cinebench data alone establishes the i5-2310 as the faster chip in every measured scenario. The head-to-head tally confirms this: 5 wins for the i5-2310, 0 for the i5-4570TE.

The average benchmark score in the database places the i5-2310 at 1073, while the i5-4570TE sits at 1062. That is a 1% difference in overall average, which aligns with the percentile rankings: 30th percentile for the i5-2310 versus 29th for the i5-4570TE. Both chips land in the lower-middle range of all CPUs, but the i5-2310 edges ahead in the aggregate metrics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core i5-2310 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 314, 1309, and 3118 in R15, R20, and R23 respectively, while the i5-4570TE scores 270, 1126, and 2681. The margin is 16.3% in every case.

Q: Is the i5-4570TE better in single-core performance?

A: No. The i5-2310 leads in single-core too, with 184 versus 158 in R20 and 440 versus 378 in R23. That is a 16.5% and 16.4% advantage respectively.

Q: Why does the i5-4570TE have fewer cores but similar average scores?

A: The i5-4570TE has 2 cores with 4 threads, while the i5-2310 has 4 cores with 4 threads. Despite the core deficit, the i5-4570TE's average benchmark score of 1062 is close to the i5-2310's 1073. The newer Haswell architecture and higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz help narrow the gap, but not enough to overcome the i5-2310's extra physical cores.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The i5-4570TE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-2310 has a TDP of 95 watts. The i5-4570TE draws significantly less power under load.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory with dual-channel configuration. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4570TE features Intel HD 4600, while the i5-2310 has Intel HD 2000. The i5-4570TE offers the newer graphics solution.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations. The i5-2310 uses Sandy Bridge architecture, built on a 32 nm process node with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The i5-4570TE uses Haswell architecture, manufactured on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a smaller 177 mm² die. The Haswell chip packs more transistors into less silicon, reflecting the process shrink.

The core configuration differs significantly. The i5-2310 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading. The i5-4570TE has 2 physical cores but 4 threads, meaning it uses hyper-threading to present two threads per core. This explains why the i5-4570TE can stay competitive in average scores despite having half the physical core count.

Cache layouts also differ. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is not equal: the i5-2310 has 6 MB shared, while the i5-4570TE has 4 MB shared. The extra L3 cache on the i5-2310 likely contributes to its consistent benchmark lead.

The i5-2310 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i5-4570TE also supports PCIe Gen 3, though the database does not specify lane count. Both use dual-channel DDR3 memory, and neither supports ECC.

The integrated graphics differ notably. The i5-2310 ships with Intel HD 2000, while the i5-4570TE includes Intel HD 4600. The newer HD 4600 is a more capable graphics solution for basic display output and light media tasks.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across several key specification fields. The i5-2310 has 4 cores and 4 threads; the i5-4570TE has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are close: 2.90 GHz for the i5-2310 versus 2.70 GHz for the i5-4570TE. Boost clocks are also close, but the i5-4570TE actually boosts higher at 3.30 GHz versus 3.20 GHz for the i5-2310.

TDP is a major differentiator. The i5-2310 is rated at 95 watts, while the i5-4570TE is rated at just 35 watts. That is a 60-watt gap, making the i5-4570TE far more suitable for compact or thermally constrained systems.

Sockets differ: the i5-2310 uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i5-4570TE uses Intel Socket 1150. These are not interchangeable, so motherboard compatibility is determined by this choice. The process node differs as well, with the i5-2310 at 32 nm and the i5-4570TE at 22 nm. Transistor count and die size also differ: 1,160 million transistors on 216 mm² for the i5-2310, versus 1,400 million on 177 mm² for the i5-4570TE.

L3 cache differs: 6 MB shared on the i5-2310 versus 4 MB shared on the i5-4570TE. The integrated graphics are different as noted. Release dates are separated by about two years: the i5-2310 launched in May 2011, the i5-4570TE in June 2013. The i5-2310 is marked as end-of-life, while the production status for the i5-4570TE is not recorded.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-2310 wins in every benchmark where both have data. That includes all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests, both multi-core and single-core. For users running CPU-heavy tasks like rendering, encoding, or compilation, the i5-2310 is the stronger choice. Its 4 physical cores provide a meaningful advantage in multi-threaded workloads, and its single-core performance is also higher despite the older architecture.

The i5-4570TE has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head comparison. However, it does have advantages that matter outside raw performance. Its 35-watt TDP makes it a low-power option for always-on systems, small form factor builds, or setups where heat dissipation is limited. The newer Haswell architecture brings Intel HD 4600 graphics, which is a step up from the HD 2000 in the i5-2310 for display and media tasks. The higher boost clock of 3.30 GHz also means it can reach slightly higher peak speeds on lightly threaded workloads, though the measured single-core scores do not reflect a win.

The i5-4570TE is the only one of the two with Geekbench results in the database, scoring 1857 multi-core and 966 single-core. Those numbers cannot be compared directly to the i5-2310, but they provide a reference point for users who rely on Geekbench as a metric.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-2310 outperforms the Intel Core i5-4570TE in every shared benchmark. If raw CPU performance is the priority, the i5-2310 is the pick. Its 4 physical cores and larger 6 MB L3 cache deliver a consistent 16% lead across all Cinebench versions. The i5-4570TE cannot close that gap even with its newer architecture and higher boost clock.

The i5-4570TE makes sense in a different context. Its 35-watt TDP is less than half that of the i5-2310, enabling quieter, cooler, and more power-efficient builds. It also uses the newer Socket 1150 platform, which may offer more modern motherboard features. The HD 4600 integrated graphics are a clear upgrade over HD 2000 for users relying on the iGPU.

For a desktop user who wants maximum compute throughput, the i5-2310 is the clear winner. For someone building a low-power system or prioritizing integrated graphics, the i5-4570TE has merits, but those merits are not reflected in the benchmark scores. The database shows 5 wins for the i5-2310 and 0 for the i5-4570TE, and the verdict follows that record.