Intel Core i5-3470T vs Intel Core i7-3540M Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3540M and Intel Core i5-3470T are closely matched Ivy Bridge parts, separated by an average benchmark score of just 4 points (867 vs 863). Despite the i7 branding of one and the i5 of the other, the data reveals a near-tie, with the desktop-oriented i5-3470T taking five of seven head-to-head wins, while the mobile i7-3540M claims the two Geekbench tests by a wider margin. The decisive factor is not raw performance, which is nearly identical, but the platform: the i7-3540M is a 35W mobile chip on Socket G2, while the i5-3470T is a 35W desktop chip on Socket 1155, making the choice a matter of form factor rather than capability.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental architecture: Ivy Bridge, built on Intel’s 22 nm process node. Each features 2 physical cores with Hyper-Threading, yielding 4 threads, and both have the same per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and L2 cache of 256 KB. They also share a dual-channel DDR3 memory bus, with ECC memory unsupported on either. The differences emerge in the shared L3 cache and platform integration. The i7-3540M carries 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-3470T is limited to 3 MB. This 1 MB difference is the primary architectural distinction in the compute cores, though it does not translate into consistent benchmark advantages.

The other notable architectural difference is the integrated graphics. The i7-3540M features Intel HD 4000, whereas the i5-3470T is equipped with Intel HD 2500. This is a substantive difference for any workload leveraging the iGPU, as the HD 4000 is the higher-tier solution. The two chips also differ in their physical packaging: the i7-3540M uses a die size of 118 mm², while the i5-3470T is smaller at 93.6 mm². The i7-3540M targets the mobile segment with an Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i5-3470T is a desktop part on Intel Socket 1155. The i5-3470T also explicitly lists PCIe Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only), a specification not provided for the i7-3540M.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a clear verdict: for desktop users, the Intel Core i5-3470T is the better pick, as it wins the majority of tests, including all five Cinebench runs. For mobile users, the Intel Core i7-3540M is the only option, and it also shows a distinct strength in Geekbench, where it leads by 5.3% in multi-core and 0.9% in single-core. The i5-3470T’s wins are narrow, with deltas ranging from -0.7% to -0.9%, indicating that its performance advantage is marginal, not transformative. The i7-3540M’s win in Geekbench multi-core is the largest delta in the comparison, suggesting that the mobile chip may handle certain synthetic workloads better despite losing in the Cinebench suite.

Choosing between these two is not a question of which is faster, but which fits the intended system. The i5-3470T is a desktop processor, and its five benchmark wins make it the logical choice for a socket 1155 desktop build. The i7-3540M, while losing the majority of tests, is the only candidate for a socket G2 laptop or mini-PC. The data shows that the i7-3540M’s extra 1 MB of L3 cache and HD 4000 graphics do not overcome the i5-3470T’s slight edge in compute benchmarks. Therefore, the verdict is pragmatic: pick the i5-3470T for desktop performance, pick the i7-3540M for mobile use, and do not expect a meaningful performance gap either way.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-3540M has an average benchmark score of 867, which is 4 points higher than the Intel Core i5-3470T’s 863. This is a 0.4% difference, placing them as near-identical in overall performance.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470T scores 2547 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Intel Core i7-3540M scores 2525. The i5-3470T wins by a 0.9% margin.

Q: What is the difference in their L3 cache sizes?

A: The Intel Core i7-3540M has 4 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-3470T has 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-3540M has 1 MB more.

Q: Which processor offers better integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-3540M is equipped with Intel HD 4000, while the Intel Core i5-3470T uses Intel HD 2500. The HD 4000 is the higher-tier integrated graphics solution.

Q: In which benchmark does the Intel Core i7-3540M have its largest win?

A: The Intel Core i7-3540M’s largest win is in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 1160 versus the i5-3470T’s 1102, a 5.3% advantage.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, neither the Intel Core i7-3540M nor the Intel Core i5-3470T has an unlocked multiplier. Both are locked processors.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a consistent pattern: the Intel Core i5-3470T wins every Cinebench test, while the Intel Core i7-3540M wins every Geekbench test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3470T scores 256 against the i7-3540M’s 254, a -0.8% delta. This narrow margin repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core (1069 vs 1060, -0.8%) and Cinebench R20 single-core (150 vs 149, -0.7%). The trend continues in Cinebench R23 multi-core (2547 vs 2525, -0.9%) and Cinebench R23 single-core (359 vs 356, -0.8%). Across all five Cinebench tests, the i5-3470T’s advantage is consistently under 1%, indicating a slight but stable lead in this rendering-focused workload.

The Geekbench results flip the script. In Geekbench multi-core, the i7-3540M scores 1160, which is 5.3% higher than the i5-3470T’s 1102. This is the largest performance gap in the entire comparison. In Geekbench single-core, the i7-3540M again leads, scoring 565 against 560, a 0.9% margin. This split suggests that the i7-3540M handles the Geekbench workload more efficiently, potentially benefiting from its larger L3 cache, while the i5-3470T has a slight edge in Cinebench’s rendering tasks. The overall win count is 5-2 in favor of the i5-3470T, but the i7-3540M’s 5.3% victory in Geekbench multi-core is the most decisive single result. The average benchmark scores confirm the near-tie: the i7-3540M’s 867 is only 0.4% above the i5-3470T’s 863.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals several key differences beyond the core performance. The most obvious is the socket: the Intel Core i7-3540M uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), a mobile socket, while the Intel Core i5-3470T uses Intel Socket 1155, a desktop socket. This dictates the entire platform, as the two are not interchangeable. The market segment confirms this: the i7-3540M is listed as "Mobile," and the i5-3470T as "Desktop." The base and boost clocks differ slightly, with the i7-3540M running at 3.00 GHz base and 3.70 GHz boost, versus the i5-3470T’s 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. The i7-3540M has a 100 MHz advantage in both metrics.

The L3 cache is another point of difference, with the i7-3540M offering 4 MB and the i5-3470T offering 3 MB. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i7-3540M has Intel HD 4000, while the i5-3470T has Intel HD 2500. The die size is also different, with the i7-3540M measuring 118 mm² and the i5-3470T measuring 93.6 mm². The i5-3470T explicitly lists PCIe Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only), a spec not provided for the i7-3540M. Both share the same 35W TDP, 22 nm process node, dual-channel DDR3 memory support, and lack of ECC memory. The release dates differ, with the i5-3470T launching on 2012-05-31 and the i7-3540M on 2013-01-07. The part numbers are SR0RJ for the i5-3470T and SR0X6 for the i7-3540M.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3470T wins in the Cinebench suite, which is a proxy for 3D rendering and content creation workloads. It takes all five Cinebench tests, including R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The margins are small, but the consistency suggests a slight architectural or clock-related advantage in these tasks. For a desktop user running rendering software, the i5-3470T is the safer choice based on the data. Its higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz, though lower than the i7-3540M’s 3.70 GHz, may not be the deciding factor; the 3 MB L3 cache versus 4 MB could play a role, but the results speak for themselves.

The Intel Core i7-3540M wins in the Geekbench suite, which is a broader system performance test. It takes both Geekbench multi-core and single-core, with a substantial 5.3% lead in multi-core. This indicates that for general-purpose computing tasks, such as web browsing, office applications, and light multitasking, the i7-3540M may offer a smoother experience. The 1 MB extra L3 cache could be the reason, as it provides a larger pool for frequently accessed data. For a mobile user, the i7-3540M is the only choice given its socket, and its Geekbench wins provide some reassurance that it is not a slouch despite losing the Cinebench tests. The i7-3540M also has the superior integrated graphics (HD 4000), which is a win for any workload that relies on the iGPU, though neither chip is a gaming powerhouse. In summary, the i5-3470T wins rendering-oriented benchmarks, and the i7-3540M wins system-level and single-core Geekbench tests, along with the integrated graphics comparison.