Intel Core i5-3450S vs Intel Core i5-4570T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4570T and Intel Core i5-3450S occupy the same 31st percentile in the database, yet they achieve that standing through entirely different strengths. The i5-3450S dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the i5-4570T counters with decisive wins in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance. The data indicates two distinct design philosophies: one optimized for sustained multi-threaded rendering, the other for responsive single-threaded tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in the entire comparison belongs to the Intel Core i5-4570T in Geekbench single-core, where it scores 1042 against the i5-3450S’s 581. That is a 79.3% advantage, the largest delta recorded between these two processors. The gap is substantial enough to suggest architectural efficiency differences that go beyond clock speed, as the i5-4570T’s 3.60 GHz boost clock is only marginally higher than the i5-3450S’s 3.50 GHz.

The i5-4570T also wins Geekbench multi-core, posting 2016 versus 1712, a 17.8% lead. This result is notable because the i5-3450S has twice the physical cores, yet the i5-4570T still manages to outperform it in this specific benchmark. The implication is that Geekbench’s workload favors the newer Haswell architecture’s per-core throughput and possibly its higher base clock of 2.90 GHz versus 2.80 GHz.

Turning to Cinebench, the picture reverses completely. The i5-3450S wins all four Cinebench comparisons with a remarkably consistent margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3450S scores 377 against 275, a 27.1% advantage. The same 27.1% delta appears in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where it scores 1573 versus 1147, and in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it scores 3747 versus 2732. The consistent 27.1% margin across three generations of the Cinebench multi-core test suggests a stable performance ceiling difference tied directly to core count.

Single-core Cinebench results are similarly one-sided. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3450S posts 222 against 161, a 27.5% lead. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it posts 529 against 385, a 27.2% margin. These single-core wins are surprising given the i5-4570T’s Geekbench single-core dominance, but the database clearly shows the i5-3450S holding the advantage in Cinebench’s rendering engine. The i5-4570T has no Cinebench R15 single-core score recorded, so that comparison is incomplete.

Across the seven head-to-head benchmarks, the i5-3450S wins five, while the i5-4570T wins two. The average benchmark scores tell a tighter story: the i5-4570T averages 1108, the i5-3450S averages 1099, a difference of only 9 points or roughly 0.8%. The nearest rivals further contextualize this, with the i5-4570T sitting within 0.1% of the AMD PRO A12-8870 and AMD Opteron 4280, and the i5-3450S sitting within 0.2% of the Intel Pentium Gold G6500.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core, and by how much?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450S wins with a score of 3747 against 2732, a 27.1% advantage over the Intel Core i5-4570T.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4570T win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins both Geekbench tests. In Geekbench single-core it scores 1042 versus 581, a 79.3% lead, and in Geekbench multi-core it scores 2016 versus 1712, a 17.8% lead.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450S has 4 cores, while the Intel Core i5-4570T has 2 cores. Both have 4 threads.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-4570T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Core i5-3450S has a TDP of 65 watts.

Q: Which processor has a larger shared L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450S has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-4570T has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the difference in their integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570T uses Intel HD 4600, while the Intel Core i5-3450S uses Intel HD 2500.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different Intel generations, even though both are built on the same 22 nm process node and contain 1,400 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-4570T uses the Haswell architecture with a die size of 177 mm², while the Intel Core i5-3450S uses the Ivy Bridge architecture with a slightly smaller die size of 160 mm². Both are fabricated by Intel, but the Haswell design delivers higher instructions per clock in the database’s Geekbench measurements.

Core configuration is the most significant architectural divergence. The i5-4570T packs 2 cores with 4 threads, meaning each core handles two threads. The i5-3450S instead provides 4 physical cores with 4 threads, a pure quad-core without hyper-threading. This explains the Cinebench multi-core results, as the i5-3450S can distribute the rendering workload across four separate execution units.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the shared L3 cache is larger on the i5-3450S at 6 MB versus the i5-4570T’s 4 MB. The larger L3 cache on the i5-3450S helps it maintain data locality across more cores, a factor that likely contributes to its Cinebench performance.

Memory support is identical in type and bus width: both use DDR3 with dual-channel memory. ECC memory is not supported on either processor. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 for both, though the i5-3450S lists its PCIe as Gen 3 with 16 lanes, CPU only, while the i5-4570T simply lists Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ, with the i5-4570T featuring Intel HD 4600 and the i5-3450S featuring Intel HD 2500.

The sockets are incompatible. The i5-4570T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3450S uses Intel Socket 1155. This means motherboard selection forces a choice between the two platforms, regardless of performance preferences. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a differentiator. Release timing also differs, with the i5-4570T releasing in June 2013 and the i5-3450S releasing in April 2012.

The Verdict

The Intel Core i5-3450S is the better choice for Cinebench-style rendering workloads, where its four physical cores deliver a consistent 27.1% to 27.5% advantage across every recorded test. Users who prioritize multi-threaded rendering in applications similar to Cinebench should select the i5-3450S. Its 6 MB L3 cache and 4-core design provide a structural advantage that the i5-4570T cannot overcome in these tests.

The Intel Core i5-4570T is the better choice for Geekbench-style workloads, particularly single-core tasks where it leads by 79.3%. The data also shows it winning Geekbench multi-core by 17.8%, despite having half the physical cores. This suggests the Haswell architecture’s per-core efficiency is significantly higher than Ivy Bridge’s, making the i5-4570T the preferable option for responsiveness-focused applications.

The i5-4570T also carries a lower TDP of 35 watts versus 65 watts, making it the more power-efficient option in the database. This matters for compact systems where thermal limits are a constraint, though the i5-3450S’s higher TDP requirement may demand more substantial cooling solutions. The i5-3450S’s 4-core advantage in rendering benchmarks is offset by its higher power envelope in the i5-4570T’s favor, which wins two of seven head-to-head benchmarks.

Specification Differences

| Attribute | Intel Core i5-4570T | Intel Core i5-3450S |

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

| Cores/Threads | 2 cores, 4 threads | 4 cores, 4 threads |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture/Codename | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 160 mm² |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 2500 |

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

| Release Date | June 2013 | April 2012 |

| Part Number | SR14R | SR0P2 |

The Geekbench single-core delta of 79.3% is the clearest signal in favor of the i5-4570T. The Cinebench R20 single-core delta of 27.5% is the clearest signal in favor of the i5-3450S. These two tests define the split personality of this comparison.

Where Each One Wins

Multi-threaded rendering: the Intel Core i5-3450S wins every Cinebench multi-core test by 27.1%, from Cinebench R15 through Cinebench R23. This is a workload that scales with its four physical cores, and the i5-3450S’s 4 threads fully utilize its 4-core design. The i5-4570T’s dual-core design tops out lower in Cinebench R23 multi-core at 2732, a full 1015 points behind.

Single-core rendering: the Intel Core i5-3450S also wins both Cinebench single-core tests where scores are recorded. In Cinebench R20 single-core it wins by 27.5%, and in Cinebench R23 single-core it wins by 27.2%. The i5-3450S’s 529 single-core score in Cinebench R23 is a strong result for single-threaded workloads of that type.

General single-core performance: the Intel Core i5-4570T dominates with a 79.3% lead in Geekbench single-core, scoring 1042 against 581. This is where the Haswell architecture’s efficiency shines brightest. The i5-3450S’s Geekbench single-core score of 581 places it far behind, indicating weaker per-core throughput in the Ivy Bridge design.

General multi-core performance: the Intel Core i5-4570T wins Geekbench multi-core by 17.8%, posting 2016 against 1712 in a test where it beats a processor with twice the physical cores. The i5-4570T benefits from its 4 threads operating at 3.60 GHz boost clock in scenarios that favor threading rather than raw core count, while the i5-3450S posts a lower 1712 peak in Geekbench multi-core that reflects its 3.50 GHz boost ceiling on four cores.

Power-constrained scenarios: the Intel Core i5-4570T’s lower TDP of 35 watts versus the i5-4570T 35 watts makes it the appropriate fit for systems where power draw is limited, as it delivers wins in two of seven head-to-head benchmarks while maintaining that lower thermal envelope.

The Intel Core i5-3450S’s 4-core, 6 MB L3 cache configuration with 6 MB of shared cache suits applications built around the i5-3450S’s cache size, giving it the edge in Cinebench R15 multi-core at 377 points against 275 in the database. The i5-4570T’s 2-core config leads in Geekbench single-core at 1042 points, showing the 79.3% delta in single-core workloads where the 4570T wins in the database.