CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3450
Core i5-3570S
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: Intel Core i5-3450 vs Intel Core i5-3570S
The Intel Core i5-3570S and Intel Core i5-3450 are two nearly identical Ivy Bridge desktop processors, but the benchmark data reveals a fascinating split. The 3570S wins six of eight head-to-head tests, dominating in Cinebench across the board, while the 3450 counters with decisive victories in both Geekbench tests. With average benchmark scores of 1169 and 1166 respectively, these chips are separated by a razor-thin 0.2% margin, placing them both at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs. This is a comparison of marginal gains and specific workload preferences, not generational leaps.
The Verdict
The data suggests the Intel Core i5-3570S is the stronger overall performer for rendering and compute-heavy tasks. Its Cinebench wins are consistent and significant, ranging from 3.7% to 4% across all six tests. The 3570S posts a 402 score in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 387 for the 3450, a 3.9% advantage that holds steady through R20 and R23. For single-core Cinebench, the 3570S leads by 3.7% in R15 (56 vs 54) and 4% in R20 (236 vs 227). Anyone prioritizing rendering workloads should clearly favor the 3570S.
However, the Intel Core i5-3450 is not without its own territory. In Geekbench multi-core, the 3450 scores 1985 against 1793 for the 3570S, a substantial 9.7% lead. The Geekbench single-core test also favors the 3450, with a score of 681 versus 632, a 7.2% margin. This makes the 3450 the unexpected winner for workloads that align with Geekbench's testing methodology. The choice, therefore, hinges on which benchmark suite better represents the user's typical applications. For Cinebench-style tasks like 3D rendering, the 3570S is the clear pick; for Geekbench-aligned general system tasks, the 3450 holds a notable edge.
Architecture Differences
Both processors are built on the same Ivy Bridge architecture, using a 22 nm process node from Intel. They share the same 4-core, 4-thread configuration and the same 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The core design is identical, with 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. Both use the Intel Socket 1155 and support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The integrated graphics are also the same, with both featuring Intel HD 2500.
The critical architectural difference lies in the clock speeds and power envelope. The 3570S has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the 3450 runs at the same 3.10 GHz base but boosts only to 3.50 GHz. This 300 MHz boost advantage is the likely driver behind the 3570S's Cinebench wins. Interestingly, the 3570S achieves this higher boost clock with a lower TDP of 65 watts, compared to the 3450's 77 watts. The 3450 also carries a larger die size at 160 mm² versus 133 mm² for the 3570S, and it lists 1,400 million transistors, a figure not provided for the 3570S. The 3450 also has a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, a specification absent for the 3570S.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Cinebench results paint a consistent picture of 3570S superiority. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 3570S scores 402 against 387, a 3.9% win. The single-core test follows suit with a 56 to 54 result, a 3.7% margin. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the 3570S leads multi-core by 3.9% (1676 vs 1613) and single-core by 4% (236 vs 227). The trend continues into Cinebench R23, with the 3570S winning multi-core 3991 to 3842 (3.9%) and single-core 563 to 542 (3.9%). The uniformity of these deltas, hovering between 3.7% and 4%, suggests a fixed clock-speed advantage is the primary factor.
The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. The 3450 wins multi-core with a score of 1985, which is 9.7% higher than the 3570S's 1793. The single-core Geekbench test also goes to the 3450, scoring 681 against 632, a 7.2% lead. This is a dramatic reversal. The 3570S's higher boost clock does not translate into Geekbench success; instead, the 3450's lower boost clock correlates with substantially higher scores. The data does not explain why this inversion occurs, but it is a clear and reproducible result across both Geekbench tests.
Specification Differences
The two chips diverge on several key specification fields. The most obvious is the boost clock: 3.80 GHz for the 3570S versus 3.50 GHz for the 3450. TDP also differs, with the 3570S rated at 65 watts and the 3450 at 77 watts. The die size is another differentiator, measuring 133 mm² for the 3570S and 160 mm² for the 3450. The 3450 lists its transistor count at 1,400 million, while the 3570S does not provide this figure. Memory bandwidth is specified only for the 3450 at 25.6 GB/s. The 3450 also has a documented launch MSRP of $174, whereas the 3570S has no launch MSRP listed. The production status differs as well, with the 3450 marked as end-of-life while the 3570S has no production status listed. The part numbers are SR0T9 for the 3570S and SR0PF for the 3450, and the release dates are separated by about a month, with the 3450 launching first on 2012-04-28 and the 3570S following on 2012-05-31.
FAQ
Q: Which CPU has the higher boost clock?
A: The Intel Core i5-3570S has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, which is 300 MHz higher than the Intel Core i5-3450's 3.50 GHz.
Q: Does the higher boost clock of the 3570S guarantee a win in all benchmarks?
A: No. While the 3570S wins all six Cinebench tests, the 3450 wins both Geekbench tests by significant margins (9.7% multi-core and 7.2% single-core), despite its lower boost clock.
Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?
A: The 3570S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the 3450 has a higher TDP of 77 watts. This makes the 3570S the more power-efficient part on paper.
Q: Are the cache sizes identical?
A: Yes, both processors have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.
Q: Which processor has a larger die size?
A: The Intel Core i5-3450 has a die size of 160 mm², while the Intel Core i5-3570S has a smaller die size of 133 mm².
Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?
A: The 3570S has an average benchmark score of 1169, while the 3450 scores 1166, resulting in a 0.2% difference favoring the 3570S.
Where Each One Wins
The Intel Core i5-3570S is the definitive winner in rendering and compute-centric workloads. Its six Cinebench victories, all with deltas between 3.7% and 4%, make it the superior choice for any application that relies on multi-threaded CPU rendering or single-threaded rendering tasks. The consistent margin across R15, R20, and R23 indicates a reliable performance advantage that scales with the workload. The 3570S also achieves this with a lower TDP of 65 watts, making it the more power-conscious option for sustained compute loads. Users running 3D modeling, video encoding, or any Cinebench-correlated software should prioritize the 3570S.
The Intel Core i5-3450 wins decisively in the Geekbench arena. Its 9.7% lead in multi-core and 7.2% lead in single-core are the largest margins in any comparison between these two chips. This suggests the 3450 has an edge in workloads that mimic Geekbench's test suite, which often includes real-world scenarios like file compression, encryption, and web browsing. For general desktop use, everyday multitasking, or office productivity, the 3450's Geekbench performance indicates it may offer a snappier experience despite its lower boost clock. The 3450 also has the advantage of a documented launch MSRP of $174, providing a reference point for its market positioning. Ultimately, the choice is between the 3570S's rendering strength and the 3450's Geekbench dominance, with the deciding factor being the user's primary application profile.