Intel Core i5-3470S vs Intel Core i7-2710QE Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads, the Intel Core i7-2710QE or the Intel Core i5-3470S?

A: The Intel Core i7-2710QE has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-3470S has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: How do the two chips compare in average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-2710QE has an average benchmark score of 1096, and the Intel Core i5-3470S scores 1095. The difference is a mere 0.1%, making them effectively equal in overall performance.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i7-2710QE uses a 32 nm process, while the Intel Core i5-3470S uses a smaller 22 nm process. The i5 also has a smaller die size at 133 mm² compared to 216 mm² for the i7.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S boosts to 3.60 GHz, whereas the Intel Core i7-2710QE boosts to 3.00 GHz. The i5 also has a higher base clock at 2.90 GHz versus 2.10 GHz.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. Neither the Intel Core i7-2710QE nor the Intel Core i5-3470S supports ECC memory.

Q: What are the integrated graphics solutions on each chip?

A: The Intel Core i7-2710QE features Intel HD 3000, while the Intel Core i5-3470S comes with Intel HD 2500.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-2710QE and the Intel Core i5-3470S represent two distinct generations of Intel design. The i7-2710QE is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process, while the i5-3470S is a newer Ivy Bridge part fabricated on a 22 nm node. This process shrink translates into a significantly smaller die for the i5: 133 mm² versus 216 mm² for the i7.

Both chips share the same core count (4) and identical cache hierarchy per core: 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2. They also both have 6 MB of shared L3 cache. However, the threading strategy diverges sharply. The i7-2710QE supports Hyper-Threading, offering 8 threads, while the i5-3470S is limited to 4 threads without that feature. This is the single most important architectural distinction for multi-threaded workloads.

The memory controllers also differ. The i5-3470S explicitly supports DDR3 memory and provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-2710QE’s memory support is not listed in the data, though it does have a dual-channel memory bus. Both are dual-channel designs.

The market segments are different: the i7-2710QE is a mobile processor (Socket G2, 988B) with a 45 W TDP, while the i5-3470S is a desktop part (Socket 1155) with a higher 65 W TDP. The i7 has a production status of end-of-life; the i5’s status is not specified. The i5 also has a newer release date (May 2012) compared to the i7 (January 2011).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3470S wins every single head-to-head test, taking all 5 comparisons. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the i5 scores 220 against the i7’s 188, a 14.5% advantage. This pattern repeats across every workload.

In multi-core tests, the i5-3470S maintains a consistent lead of about 14%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5 scores 373 versus 321 for the i7, a 13.9% gap. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1558 against 1338 (14.1% difference), and Cinebench R23 multi-core follows the same trend: 3711 for the i5 versus 3186 for the i7, a 14.1% margin.

Single-core performance follows a nearly identical pattern. Cinebench R23 single-core gives the i5-3470S 524 points versus 449 for the i7-2710QE, a 14.3% lead. This consistency suggests the i5’s higher clock speeds (2.90 GHz base, 3.60 GHz boost versus 2.10 GHz base, 3.00 GHz boost) are the dominant factor, outweighing the i7’s extra threads in these benchmarks.

Notably, the i7-2710QE has no benchmark wins at all. Even in the absence of direct head-to-head data for Geekbench, the i5-3470S posts scores of 1726 (multi-core) and 599 (single-core) in that suite, while the i7 has no Geekbench results listed.

The average benchmark scores tell the same story from a different angle. The i7-2710QE averages 1096, and the i5-3470S averages 1095 — a 0.1% difference. This near-identical average masks the fact that the i5 wins every direct comparison, suggesting the i7’s performance is more consistent across a broader range of tests, while the i5 excels specifically in the Cinebench suite.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i5-3470S is the stronger performer in every measured benchmark. It wins all five head-to-head comparisons with margins between 13.9% and 14.5%. The i7-2710QE’s Hyper-Threading advantage (8 threads versus 4) does not translate into any benchmark victory in this dataset.

The i5-3470S benefits from higher base and boost clocks (2.90 GHz / 3.60 GHz versus 2.10 GHz / 3.00 GHz) and a newer 22 nm architecture, which likely explains its consistent lead. The i7-2710QE’s only advantages are its lower TDP (45 W versus 65 W) and its mobile form factor.

For anyone choosing between these two, the i5-3470S is the pick for raw performance. The i7-2710QE only makes sense in a mobile context where its lower power draw matters, but even then, the performance deficit is substantial. Both chips sit at nearly the same percentile rank (31st for the i7, 30th for the i5), reinforcing that they are contemporaries in overall capability despite the i5’s superior Cinebench results.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-2710QE | Intel Core i5-3470S |

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

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.10 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 45 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket G2 (988B) | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 133 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | Not specified |

| Memory Support | Not specified | DDR3 |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 3000 | Intel HD 2500 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Desktop |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not specified |

| Release Date | January 2011 | May 2012 |

| Part Number | SR02T | SR0TA |

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i5-3470S (5 wins): This chip wins every benchmark category in the dataset. It dominates Cinebench R15 multi-core (373 versus 321), R20 multi-core (1558 versus 1338), R20 single-core (220 versus 188), R23 multi-core (3711 versus 3186), and R23 single-core (524 versus 449). The i5’s margin is consistent — roughly 14% across the board — which indicates a fundamental performance advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. For any task measured by Cinebench, whether rendering, simulation, or general compute, the i5-3470S is the better choice. Its higher clocks and newer architecture simply outperform the i7’s extra threads.

Intel Core i7-2710QE (0 wins): The i7-2710QE does not win a single benchmark comparison. However, it does have qualitative advantages that are not measured in these tests. Its 45 W TDP is 20 W lower than the i5’s 65 W, making it more suitable for thermally constrained environments. As a mobile processor on Socket G2, it is designed for laptops and embedded systems, whereas the i5-3470S is a desktop part on Socket 1155. The i7 also has more threads (8 versus 4), which could theoretically benefit workloads not represented in this benchmark set, though the data shows no such benefit in Cinebench.

Practical guidance: If you are building or upgrading a desktop system, the i5-3470S is the clear choice based on benchmark performance. If you need a low-power mobile processor, the i7-2710QE is the only option that fits that form factor, but you should expect roughly a 14% performance penalty compared to the i5. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both have unlocked multipliers disabled, so overclocking is not a consideration. The i5’s support for PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes is an additional advantage for modern graphics cards, while the i7’s PCIe capabilities are not specified in the data.