Intel Core i5-2450P vs Intel Core i5-3470S Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3470S and Intel Core i5-2450P are two desktop processors sharing the same socket, core count, and memory architecture, but they represent different generations of Intel silicon. The data shows a clear split: the i5-3470S dominates in Cinebench workloads across the board, while the i5-2450P takes a single win in Geekbench multicore. This analysis draws exclusively from recorded benchmark scores, architectural specifications, and comparative metrics in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-2450P has a base clock of 3.20 GHz, compared to the 2.90 GHz base clock of the Intel Core i5-3470S.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S scores 3711 points, while the Intel Core i5-2450P scores 3632 points, resulting in a 2.2% advantage for the i5-3470S.

Q: What is the thermal design power difference between these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S has a TDP of 65 watts, whereas the Intel Core i5-2450P has a higher TDP of 95 watts.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S features Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics, while the Intel Core i5-2450P has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Core i5-2450P outperform the i5-3470S?

A: The i5-2450P wins in Geekbench multicore with a score of 1796 against 1726, a margin of 3.9% in favor of the i5-2450P.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare relative to other CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S has an average benchmark score of 1095, placing it in the 30th percentile, while the Intel Core i5-2450P has an average score of 1086, also in the 30th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different manufacturing nodes and microarchitectures. The Intel Core i5-3470S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-2450P is based on Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm process. This process shrink gives the i5-3470S a smaller die size of 133 mm² compared to the 216 mm² die of the i5-2450P. The database also records transistor counts for the i5-2450P at 1,160 million, while no transistor count is listed for the i5-3470S.

Both processors share the same socket (Intel Socket 1155), the same core and thread configuration (4 cores, 4 threads), and identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. They also support the same DDR3 memory with dual-channel bus and the same PCIe configuration (Gen 3, 16 lanes CPU only). Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both have locked multipliers.

A significant difference is the presence of integrated graphics. The i5-3470S includes Intel HD 2500, making it a self-contained solution for basic display output. The i5-2450P, by contrast, has no integrated graphics, meaning a discrete GPU is mandatory for any visual output. Another key difference is power consumption: the i5-3470S is rated at 65 watts TDP, while the i5-2450P draws 95 watts, a 30-watt gap that reflects the older, less efficient process node.

Clock speeds also differ. The i5-2450P starts at a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz but boosts to 3.50 GHz. The i5-3470S has a lower base of 2.90 GHz but a higher boost of 3.60 GHz. This means the i5-3470S has a wider turbo range, which likely contributes to its single-threaded advantages. The release dates are close: the i5-2450P launched in January 2012, and the i5-3470S followed in May 2012.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a consistent pattern in Cinebench testing, with the Intel Core i5-3470S taking every single- and multi-threaded Cinebench round. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-3470S scores 373 against 366, a 1.9% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a 2% advantage with 52 points versus 51. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore gap widens slightly to 2.2% (1558 vs 1525), and the single-core result is 2.3% (220 vs 215). Cinebench R23 follows the same trend: multicore at 2.2% (3711 vs 3632) and single-core at 2.3% (524 vs 512).

The only reversal comes in Geekbench 5, where the Intel Core i5-2450P takes the multicore crown with 1796 points against 1726, a 3.9% margin. This is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head set, and it flips the expected narrative based on the Cinebench results. However, the Geekbench single-core test returns to the i5-3470S, which scores 599 versus 590, a 1.5% edge. Overall, the i5-3470S wins 7 of the 8 recorded benchmarks, with the i5-2450P claiming only that single Geekbench multicore victory.

The magnitude of the wins matters. The i5-3470S's Cinebench advantages are relatively modest, ranging from 1.9% to 2.3%, but they are consistent across every version of the test. The i5-2450P's Geekbench multicore win is larger at 3.9%, suggesting that the higher base clock of 3.20 GHz provides a meaningful boost in certain multi-threaded workloads that are less sensitive to the turbo behavior of the i5-3470S. Still, the overall benchmark average favors the i5-3470S: 1095 versus 1086, a difference of 0.8%.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i5-3470S as the stronger overall processor for the majority of tested workloads. Its clean sweep of the Cinebench suite, which includes both single-core and multi-core variants, indicates that the Ivy Bridge architecture and the higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz deliver tangible gains in rendering and content-creation tasks. The margins are small but consistent, and the chip also offers the benefit of integrated graphics, a lower 65-watt TDP, and a smaller die size, all without sacrificing performance in the tested benchmarks.

The Intel Core i5-2450P is not without merit. Its Geekbench multicore score of 1796 is notably higher than the i5-3470S's 1726, and its base clock of 3.20 GHz gives it an edge in scenarios where sustained all-core operation at stock speeds matters more than turbo bursts. For users who prioritize Geekbench-style workloads, which often include more integer-heavy and memory-latency-sensitive tasks, the i5-2450P may hold a slight advantage. However, this single win does not offset the seven losses elsewhere.

Given the average benchmark scores and the overall win count, the Intel Core i5-3470S is the recommended choice for most users. It offers a more balanced profile: competitive multi-threaded performance, superior single-threaded results, integrated graphics for basic display, and significantly lower power draw. The i5-2450P should be considered only in narrow use cases where the Geekbench multicore result is the primary metric and where the absence of integrated graphics is not a concern.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3470S | Intel Core i5-2450P |

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

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 95 W |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | 133 mm² | 216 mm² |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2500 | None |

| Release Date | 2012-05-31 | 2012-01-29 |

| Part Number | SR0TA | SR0G1 |

All other recorded specifications are identical: both use Intel Socket 1155, have 4 cores and 4 threads, share the same cache layout (64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3), support DDR3 dual-channel memory, run PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, lack ECC support, and have locked multipliers.