Intel Core i5-3470 vs Intel Core i5-4570 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i5-4570 across all 19 benchmark comparisons. The largest margin appears in PassMark extended instructions, where the i5-4570 scores 5961 against 3548 for the i5-3470, a 68% advantage. This gap reflects the newer architecture's ability to handle advanced instruction sets far more efficiently, a difference that shows up in workloads relying on SIMD or specialized operations.

Geekbench results also stand out. The i5-4570 posts a multi-core score of 3118 versus 2015 for the i5-3470, a 54.7% lead. Single-core Geekbench shows a 45.6% gap, with 1041 against 715. These are the second and third largest deltas in the entire comparison, and they indicate that the i5-4570 does not merely scale better across cores, it also extracts significantly more performance from each individual core.

Cinebench results are more uniform. Across R15, R20, and R23, the multi-core deltas sit at 12.3% in every version. The i5-4570 scores 447, 1865, and 4442 respectively, while the i5-3470 scores 398, 1661, and 3957. Single-core Cinebench deltas hover around 12.4% to 12.5%, with scores of 63, 263, and 627 for the i5-4570 versus 56, 234, and 558 for the i5-3470. This consistency suggests the performance advantage is architectural rather than workload-specific.

PassMark mixed workloads tell a more nuanced story. Data compression shows a narrow 2.4% win, with 75010 against 73224. Integer math is similarly close at 3.9%, 15415 versus 14840. Floating point math opens up to 7.7%, 11706 against 10871. Physics shows a modest 4.5% lead, 395 versus 378. Random string sorting lands at 11%, 9992 against 9004. Data encryption shows an 11.1% gap, 1321 versus 1189. Prime number finding is 10.7% apart, 31 versus 28. Multi-threaded PassMark sits at 12.2%, 5238 versus 4669. Single-thread PassMark is 5.1%, 2033 versus 1935.

The pattern is clear. The i5-4570 wins every category, but the size of the win depends on the workload. The smallest margins appear in memory-heavy and integer-bound tasks, while the largest appear in extended instructions and Geekbench. The i5-4570's average benchmark score is 7421, putting it 7.5% above the i5-3470's 6906. Both processors sit at the 63rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, which means they occupy similar overall performance tiers, even though the newer chip is consistently faster.

The Verdict

The data points to one conclusion for most buyers: the Intel Core i5-4570 is the stronger processor in every measured benchmark. It wins all 19 head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 2.4% to 68%. No workload in the database favors the i5-3470. For users upgrading from an older Ivy Bridge system to a Haswell platform, the i5-4570 offers a measurable performance uplift across the board.

However, the i5-3470 is not without a case. Its average benchmark score of 6906 sits close to rivals like the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G at 6931 and the Intel Core i9-9960X at 6938, according to the nearest rivals data. The i5-4570's average of 7421 places it near the Intel Core i9-9990XE at 7415 and the Intel Core i5-7400 at 7469. Both chips hold the 63rd percentile ranking, so neither is dramatically out of place in its performance class.

The choice depends on platform context. If the system already uses an Intel Socket 1155 motherboard, the i5-3470 remains a functional quad-core desktop part. If the build starts fresh or moves to Intel Socket 1150, the i5-4570 is the better pick, delivering higher scores in every test without any trade-off in the recorded benchmarks. The i5-4570 also brings a newer integrated graphics solution, which matters for systems without a discrete GPU. The i5-3470's integrated graphics are older, so the i5-4570 has an edge there as well.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-4570 uses the Haswell architecture, while the Intel Core i5-3470 uses Ivy Bridge. Both are built on a 22 nm process node and both have 1,400 million transistors. The die sizes differ slightly: the i5-4570 measures 177 mm², while the i5-3470 measures 160 mm². The larger die on the Haswell chip accommodates the architectural changes and the upgraded integrated graphics.

Cache layouts are identical on paper. Both processors have 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The core and thread counts match at 4 cores and 4 threads. Clock speeds are also identical in the recorded data: both run at a 3.20 GHz base clock and a 3.60 GHz boost clock. The performance differences therefore come from IPC improvements and microarchitectural changes in Haswell, not from raw frequency or cache capacity.

The integrated graphics differ. The i5-4570 ships with Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3470 ships with Intel HD 2500. This is a meaningful difference for users relying on the iGPU, as the newer HD 4600 offers more execution resources. Neither processor supports ECC memory, and both use DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

The sockets are not compatible. The i5-4570 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3470 uses Intel Socket 1155. This is the most practical difference between the two, as it determines which motherboards each processor can use. The i5-4570 belongs to the Core i5 (Haswell) generation, while the i5-3470 belongs to the Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) generation. The i5-3470 is marked as end-of-life in the database, while the i5-4570's production status is not specified.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several specifications, but the differences matter. The i5-4570 has a TDP of 84 watts, while the i5-3470 has a TDP of 77 watts. The higher TDP reflects the i5-4570's additional integrated graphics and architectural complexity. The i5-4570 uses Intel Socket 1150, the i5-3470 uses Intel Socket 1155. The i5-4570 has Intel HD 4600 graphics, the i5-3470 has Intel HD 2500. The i5-4570's PCIe is listed as Gen 3, while the i5-3470's PCIe is listed as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The i5-3470 has a listed memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4570's memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. The release dates differ: the i5-4570 released in 2013-06-01, the i5-3470 released in 2012-05-31. The i5-3470 has a launch MSRP of $184, while the i5-4570 has no recorded launch MSRP. The part numbers are SR14E for the i5-4570 and SR0T8 for the i5-3470. Neither multiplier is unlocked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570 wins every multi-core benchmark. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 4442 versus 3957, a 12.3% lead. Geekbench multi-core shows 3118 versus 2015, a 54.7% lead. PassMark multi-thread shows 5238 versus 4669, a 12.2% lead.

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

A: The i5-4570 leads in all single-core tests. Cinebench R23 single-core is 627 versus 558, a 12.4% gap. Geekbench single-core is 1041 versus 715, a 45.6% gap. PassMark single-thread is 2033 versus 1935, a 5.1% gap.

Q: Are the two processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i5-4570 uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-3470 uses Intel Socket 1155. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes. Both have 4 cores and 4 threads. Both also run at a 3.20 GHz base clock and a 3.60 GHz boost clock.

Q: What is the biggest performance difference between the two?

A: The largest delta is in PassMark extended instructions, where the i5-4570 scores 5961 versus 3548, a 68% advantage. The second largest is Geekbench multi-core at 54.7%.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4570 includes Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3470 includes Intel HD 2500. The i5-4570 is the better choice for systems relying on integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4570 wins every recorded benchmark, so the use-case split is not about which chip wins a given task, but about which workloads see the largest benefit. For users running applications that stress extended instruction sets, such as media encoding, scientific computing, or certain compression algorithms, the i5-4570's 68% lead in PassMark extended instructions is the standout reason to choose it. For general system responsiveness and single-threaded applications, the Geekbench single-core gap of 45.6% indicates the i5-4570 has a substantial IPC advantage that will show up in everyday tasks like web browsing and office productivity.

For memory-heavy workloads, the picture is closer. PassMark data compression shows only a 2.4% gap, and integer math is 3.9% apart. Users upgrading from the i5-3470 for these specific tasks might see a modest improvement, not a dramatic one. The same applies to physics workloads, where the i5-4570 leads by 4.5%. For floating point math, the i5-4570 is 7.7% ahead, a moderate gain.

The i5-3470 does not win any category, but it remains a serviceable quad-core desktop processor. Its nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G and the Intel Core i9-9960X, with average scores within 0.5% of its 6906. This means the i5-3470 still operates in a recognizable performance tier, and for users already on Socket 1155, it can handle basic desktop tasks without issue.

The i5-4570's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-9990XE and the Intel Core i5-7400, with average scores within 0.6% of its 7421. The i5-7400, in particular, represents a similar quad-core desktop offering, and the i5-4570's average score sits just 0.6% below it. This places the i5-4570 at the upper edge of its performance class.

The practical recommendation from the data is straightforward. New builds or platform migrations should target the i5-4570, as it delivers superior scores across all 19 tests. Existing Socket 1155 systems with an i5-3470 can keep the chip for basic workloads, but any upgrade path in the same platform is limited, and the performance gains from moving to the i5-4570 are consistent and measurable. For users who prioritize the largest possible performance jump, the i5-4570 is the clear choice, especially in extended instruction workloads and Geekbench tests. For users who only need modest computing and already own the i5-3470, the recorded deltas in some workloads, like data compression and integer math, may not justify a platform change.