Intel Core i5-2500T vs Intel Core i5-3470T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3470T and Intel Core i5-2500T are both low-power desktop processors for the Intel Socket 1155 platform, yet they represent two distinct generations of Intel design. Benchmark data shows a consistent, albeit narrow, victory for the i5-3470T across every tested workload, despite the i5-2500T possessing double the physical cores. The i5-3470T wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 2.0% to 2.4%, while also consuming less power (35W vs 45W TDP). This outcome reflects the architectural efficiency of the newer Ivy Bridge design over the older Sandy Bridge silicon, making the i5-3470T the superior choice for single-threaded responsiveness and energy-conscious builds, while the i5-2500T offers a larger shared cache and more physical cores for legacy multi-core scenarios.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-3470T wins every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 2547 versus 2489 for the i5-2500T, a 2.3% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the margin is 1069 vs 1045 (2.3% delta).

Q: Does the i5-2500T's four physical cores beat the i5-3470T's two cores?

A: No. Despite having 4 cores versus 2, the i5-2500T loses all multi-core benchmarks. The i5-3470T leads by 2.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (256 vs 250) and 2.3% in Cinebench R23 multi-core.

Q: How do the two chips compare in single-core performance?

A: The i5-3470T wins single-core tests as well. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 150 against 147 for the i5-2500T (2% delta). In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-3470T posts 359 vs 351 (2.3% delta).

Q: What are the TDP and process node differences?

A: The i5-3470T has a 35W TDP and is built on a 22 nm process, while the i5-2500T has a 45W TDP and uses a 32 nm process. The i5-3470T also has a smaller die size at 93.6 mm² versus 216 mm².

Q: Do both processors support the same memory and socket?

A: Yes, both use Intel Socket 1155, support DDR3 memory, and feature dual-channel memory bus. Both also have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and do not support ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The i5-3470T has an average benchmark score of 863, while the i5-2500T scores 856. Both sit in the 23rd percentile of all CPUs, but the i5-3470T edges ahead by roughly 0.8%.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3470T wins every single head-to-head comparison. There is no test in the data where the i5-2500T comes out ahead. The i5-3470T's largest margin of victory is 2.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (256 vs 250), while its smallest is 2.0% in Cinebench R20 single-core (150 vs 147). The i5-3470T's wins span both single-core and multi-core workloads, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 variants.

The i5-2500T's only theoretical advantage lies in its hardware configuration: it has 4 physical cores and 6 MB of shared L3 cache, compared to the i5-3470T's 2 cores and 3 MB L3 cache. However, these hardware advantages do not translate into benchmark victories. In scenarios where raw core count might matter—such as heavily threaded legacy applications—the data still shows the i5-3470T performing better, likely due to its higher base clock (2.90 GHz vs 2.30 GHz) and boost clock (3.60 GHz vs 3.30 GHz).

For users prioritizing energy efficiency, the i5-3470T also wins decisively with a 35W TDP versus 45W for the i5-2500T. This makes the i5-3470T the clear choice for small-form-factor or low-noise builds where thermal output is a concern. The i5-2500T offers no benchmark-based use case where it is the better performer; its only distinguishing feature is the larger L3 cache and additional physical cores, which do not yield any measurable performance benefit in the available data.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent successive Intel microarchitectures. The i5-3470T is built on Ivy Bridge, fabricated on a 22 nm process node, while the i5-2500T uses Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm process. This process shrink is significant: the i5-3470T's die size is 93.6 mm², less than half of the i5-2500T's 216 mm². The i5-2500T does have a listed transistor count of 1,160 million, whereas the i5-3470T does not specify this figure in the data.

Core configuration differs sharply. The i5-3470T has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-2500T has 4 cores and 4 threads. Both support simultaneous multithreading, but the i5-3470T relies on hyper-threading to reach 4 threads, whereas the i5-2500T achieves this with physical cores alone. This explains the i5-3470T's higher clock speeds: its base clock is 2.90 GHz and boost is 3.60 GHz, compared to 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost for the i5-2500T.

Cache hierarchies are identical in per-core allocation but differ in total capacity. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core. The i5-3470T has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-2500T has 6 MB. The i5-2500T's larger L3 cache is a direct result of having more physical cores, but it does not compensate for the architectural efficiency of the Ivy Bridge design.

Integrated graphics also differ: the i5-3470T includes Intel HD 2500, while the i5-2500T has Intel HD 2000. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode, and neither supports ECC. The i5-2500T is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-3470T's production status is not specified. The i5-3470T was released on 2012-05-31, while the i5-2500T launched earlier on 2011-01-08.

Specification Differences

The key specification differences between the two processors are as follows:

• Cores: i5-3470T has 2 cores; i5-2500T has 4 cores.
• Threads: i5-3470T has 4 threads; i5-2500T has 4 threads.
• Base Clock: i5-3470T runs at 2.90 GHz; i5-2500T runs at 2.30 GHz.
• Boost Clock: i5-3470T boosts to 3.60 GHz; i5-2500T boosts to 3.30 GHz.
• TDP: i5-3470T is rated at 35W; i5-2500T is rated at 45W.
• Process Node: i5-3470T uses 22 nm; i5-2500T uses 32 nm.
• Die Size: i5-3470T measures 93.6 mm²; i5-2500T measures 216 mm².
• Transistors: i5-2500T has 1,160 million; i5-3470T does not list this.
• L3 Cache: i5-3470T has 3 MB shared; i5-2500T has 6 MB shared.
• Integrated Graphics: i5-3470T has Intel HD 2500; i5-2500T has Intel HD 2000.
• Release Date: i5-3470T launched 2012-05-31; i5-2500T launched 2011-01-08.
• Part Number: i5-3470T is SR0RJ; i5-2500T is SR00A.
• Production Status: i5-2500T is end-of-life; i5-3470T is unspecified.

Both processors share the same socket (Intel Socket 1155), memory support (DDR3, dual-channel), PCIe configuration (Gen 3, 16 lanes CPU only), and lack of ECC support. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. No launch MSRP is listed for either part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a clean sweep for the i5-3470T across all five shared benchmark tests. The largest delta is 2.4% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i5-3470T scores 256 versus 250 for the i5-2500T. This test is notable because it pits the i5-3470T's two cores with hyper-threading against the i5-2500T's four physical cores, and the newer architecture still prevails.

In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5-3470T scores 1069 against 1045, a 2.3% advantage. The single-core results follow the same pattern: Cinebench R20 single-core shows 150 vs 147 (2% delta), and Cinebench R23 single-core shows 359 vs 351 (2.3% delta). The Cinebench R23 multi-core test mirrors the R20 result exactly in percentage terms, with 2547 vs 2489 (2.3% delta).

Across all tests, the i5-3470T's average benchmark score is 863, while the i5-2500T averages 856. This places both in the 23rd percentile of all CPUs, but the i5-3470T's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon W3520 (862, 0.1% delta) and AMD A8-7650K (860, 0.3% delta), while the i5-2500T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-5250U (856, 0.1% delta) and Intel Core i7-4500U (859, -0.4% delta). These rival comparisons show that both processors are clustered tightly in performance, but the i5-3470T consistently sits at the higher end of that cluster.

The consistency of the 2-2.4% margins across both single and multi-core workloads suggests that the i5-3470T's advantage comes from architectural efficiency (22 nm Ivy Bridge) rather than any single feature like clock speed or cache size. The i5-2500T's higher core count and larger L3 cache do not overcome this efficiency gap.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-3470T is the superior processor based on all available benchmark data. It wins 5 out of 5 head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 2.0% to 2.4%. This victory is consistent across single-core and multi-core workloads, indicating a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific edge.

Users should choose the i5-3470T if they prioritize performance in both lightly-threaded and multi-threaded applications, as it leads in every Cinebench test. It also offers a lower TDP (35W vs 45W), making it a better fit for compact systems where cooling and power delivery are constrained. The i5-3470T's smaller die size and newer 22 nm process further reinforce its efficiency credentials.

The i5-2500T is not without its merits, but the data does not support choosing it on performance grounds. Its 4 physical cores and 6 MB of L3 cache are its only distinguishing hardware features, yet these do not translate into any benchmark win. The i5-2500T could be considered if a system specifically requires more physical cores for compatibility reasons, or if the larger L3 cache is somehow beneficial for a niche workload not represented in the benchmark suite. However, for standard productivity, rendering, or general desktop use, the i5-3470T is the clear winner.

Both processors sit at the 23rd percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are entry-level performers by modern standards. The i5-3470T's average score of 863 is marginally ahead of the i5-2500T's 856, and its nearest rival, the Intel Xeon W3520, is within 0.1% — showing that the i5-3470T is at the top of its performance tier. The i5-2500T, by contrast, trails its nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-4500U, by 0.4%. This placement reinforces the verdict: the i5-3470T is the stronger choice for anyone deciding between these two specific parts.