Intel Core i5-3470S vs Intel Core i7-4610M Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3470S and Intel Core i7-4610M are closely matched in overall average benchmark score, with the i5-3470S at 1095 and the i7-4610M at 1094, a difference of just 0.1%. Despite this near-parity in aggregate, the two processors have distinctly different performance profiles across individual workloads. The i5-3470S dominates multi-threaded and Cinebench tests, while the i7-4610M shows a clear advantage in Geekbench single-core and multi-core tests. The data reveals a split personality: the desktop part is a brute-force multicore worker, while the mobile part excels in memory-sensitive and single-threaded tasks.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i5-3470S is the overwhelming winner in Cinebench tests, taking all five of those comparisons. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-3470S scores 373 against the i7-4610M’s 277, a 34.7% advantage. This pattern holds in newer Cinebench versions: R20 multicore shows a 34.9% lead (1558 vs 1155), and R23 multicore shows a 34.9% lead (3711 vs 2750). The single-core Cinebench results are equally lopsided. The i5-3470S leads in R20 single-core by 35.8% (220 vs 162) and in R23 single-core by 35.1% (524 vs 388). These are decisive, consistent margins that suggest the i5-3470S’s four physical cores provide a substantial rendering advantage over the i7-4610M’s two physical cores with Hyper-Threading.

The i7-4610M, however, strikes back in Geekbench. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1024 versus the i5-3470S’s 599, a massive 41.5% advantage. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-4610M scores 1903 versus 1726, a 9.3% lead. This is a surprising reversal given that the i5-3470S has twice as many physical cores. The Geekbench results point to architectural efficiencies in the i7-4610M’s Haswell design that the i5-3470S’s Ivy Bridge silicon cannot match, particularly in workloads that favor memory bandwidth and instruction-level parallelism.

It is importantly the i5-3470S wins 5 of the 7 head-to-head benchmarks, while the i7-4610M wins 2. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1095 vs 1094), placing both in the 30th percentile of all CPUs. The nearest rivals for the i5-3470S include the i7-4610M itself (deltaPct 0.1), along with the Intel Core i7-2670QM and i7-2710QE, both at 1096 average score. The i7-4610M’s nearest rivals include the i5-3470S (deltaPct -0.1), plus the i7-4600M and the i7-10510Y. This clustering around the 1090-1096 range indicates that neither chip has a meaningful aggregate performance edge over the other.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear verdict based on workload, not overall capability. For users running Cinebench-style multi-threaded rendering workloads, the Intel Core i5-3470S is the definitive choice. It leads in every Cinebench test by margins between 34.7% and 35.8%, which is a substantial, repeatable advantage. Its four physical cores and 6 MB of shared L3 cache deliver consistent wins in these threaded benchmarks.

The Intel Core i7-4610M is the better pick for single-threaded Geekbench performance, where it beats the i5-3470S by 41.5%, and for Geekbench multicore, where it leads by 9.3% despite having only two physical cores. The i7-4610M’s higher base clock (3.00 GHz vs 2.90 GHz) and boost clock (3.70 GHz vs 3.60 GHz) likely contribute to this, along with its newer Haswell architecture. Its lower TDP of 37 watts versus 65 watts also makes it a more efficient option for thermally constrained environments.

There is no universal winner. The i5-3470S is the better renderer; the i7-4610M is the better general-purpose performer in Geekbench. Since both processors sit at the 30th percentile of all CPUs and have nearly identical average scores, the choice must come down to the specific benchmark suite that matters most to the user. If the workload is Cinebench-heavy, pick the i5-3470S. If it is Geekbench-heavy, pick the i7-4610M.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S has an average benchmark score of 1095, while the Intel Core i7-4610M has 1094. The difference is 0.1%, effectively a tie.

Q: How much faster is the i5-3470S in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The i5-3470S scores 3711 in Cinebench R23 multicore, compared to the i7-4610M’s 2750, giving the i5-3470S a 34.9% lead.

Q: What is the single-core Geekbench score difference?

A: The i7-4610M scores 1024 in Geekbench single-core, while the i5-3470S scores 599. The i7-4610M leads by 41.5%.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470S has 4 cores, while the Intel Core i7-4610M has 2 cores. Both support 4 threads.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the i7-4610M?

A: The launch MSRP of the Intel Core i7-4610M is $346.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i5-3470S is 0.1% behind the Intel Core i7-2670QM and 0.1% ahead of the i7-4610M. The i7-4610M is 0.1% behind the i5-3470S and 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core i7-4600M.

Specification Differences

The Intel Core i5-3470S and Intel Core i7-4610M differ in several key specifications. The i5-3470S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-4610M has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clock speeds differ: the i5-3470S runs at 2.90 GHz, and the i7-4610M at 3.00 GHz. Boost clocks are 3.60 GHz for the i5-3470S and 3.70 GHz for the i7-4610M. Thermal design power differs significantly: the i5-3470S has a TDP of 65 watts, the i7-4610M has a TDP of 37 watts.

The socket types are not interchangeable. The i5-3470S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-4610M uses Intel Socket G3. The i5-3470S has a larger L3 cache at 6 MB shared, versus 4 MB shared on the i7-4610M. The i7-4610M has a rated memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-3470S has no such figure listed. The market segments differ: the i5-3470S is a desktop part, and the i7-4610M is a mobile part. The i7-4610M is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-3470S has no production status listed. Part numbers are SR0TA for the i5-3470S and SR1KY for the i7-4610M.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel’s 22 nm process node, but they use different architectures. The i5-3470S is based on Ivy Bridge, while the i7-4610M is based on Haswell. The i7-4610M has a transistor count of 960 million and a die size of 131 mm², while the i5-3470S has a die size of 133 mm² with no transistor count listed. The i7-4610M’s Haswell architecture is newer, which explains its superior Geekbench performance per core.

Cache layouts are identical per core: both have 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. The shared L3 differs, with the i5-3470S offering 6 MB and the i7-4610M offering 4 MB. Both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, and neither supports ECC memory. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics differ: the i5-3470S includes Intel HD 2500, while the i7-4610M includes Intel HD 4600. The i7-4610M’s Haswell architecture and higher clock speeds offset its core deficit in memory-sensitive tasks, as evidenced by its Geekbench wins.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3470S wins in all Cinebench tests: R15 multicore (373 vs 277), R20 multicore (1558 vs 1155), R20 single-core (220 vs 162), R23 multicore (3711 vs 2750), and R23 single-core (524 vs 388). This makes it the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, and any workload that scales with physical cores and larger L3 cache. Its 6 MB L3 cache and four physical cores provide a structural advantage in these threaded tasks.

The Intel Core i7-4610M wins in Geekbench multicore (1903 vs 1726) and Geekbench single-core (1024 vs 599). This makes it the better option for general productivity, web browsing, and applications that rely on single-threaded speed or memory bandwidth. Its Haswell architecture and 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth deliver a 41.5% single-core Geekbench advantage that cannot be ignored. For users who prioritize Geekbench-style performance over Cinebench rendering, the i7-4610M is the data-backed choice.