Intel Core i5-3470T vs Intel Core i7-4500U Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3470T and the Intel Core i7-4500U are both dual-core, four-thread processors from Intel, yet they are engineered for entirely different purposes. The i5-3470T is a desktop part built on the Ivy Bridge architecture, while the i7-4500U is a mobile chip based on Haswell. Benchmark results reveal a stark split: the desktop i5 wins consistently in Cinebench tests, while the mobile i7 dominates in Geekbench. This analysis walks through the head-to-head data, where each processor excels, and what the architecture and specification sheets indicate about their intended roles.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the benchmark comparison is the complete reversal of fortunes between the Cinebench and Geekbench test suites. The Intel Core i5-3470T wins five of the seven head-to-head benchmarks, but the Intel Core i7-4500U claims the two remaining tests with decisive margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-3470T scores 256 against the i7-4500U's 212, a 20.8% advantage. This trend continues across the entire Cinebench series: the i5-3470T leads by 20.5% in Cinebench R20 multicore (1069 vs 887), by 20% in Cinebench R20 singlecore (150 vs 125), by 20.5% in Cinebench R23 multicore (2547 vs 2113), and by another 20.5% in Cinebench R23 singlecore (359 vs 298). These are not marginal differences; they represent a consistent, nearly uniform performance gap of roughly one-fifth in favor of the desktop processor across all Cinebench workloads.

However, the Geekbench results tell a completely different story. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-4500U scores 1562 against the i5-3470T's 1102, a 29.4% lead for the mobile chip. The single-core Geekbench test shows an even larger gap: the i7-4500U scores 818, while the i5-3470T manages only 560, a 31.5% difference. This is a dramatic swing. The i7-4500U is not just slightly ahead in Geekbench; it is roughly a third faster in single-core performance and nearly 30% faster in multi-core performance according to that benchmark suite. The data indicates that these two processors are not close competitors at all—they simply respond very differently to the specific workloads each benchmark represents.

Looking at the average benchmark score, the two CPUs are nearly identical: the i5-3470T has an average score of 863, and the i7-4500U sits at 859, a difference of only 0.4% when compared to each other. Both processors also share the same 23rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, meaning they perform at a similar level overall. Yet this aggregate similarity masks the underlying diversity in their performance profiles. The i5-3470T's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon W3520 (avg score 862, delta 0.1%) and the AMD A8-7650K (avg score 860, delta 0.3%), while the i7-4500U's closest competitors include the Intel Core i5-2500T (avg score 856, delta 0.3%) and the Intel Core i5-5250U (avg score 856, delta 0.4%). Both processors sit in a crowded field of mid-range parts, but their individual strengths are clearly differentiated.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3470T is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads, which are typically associated with rendering and 3D modeling tasks. Its consistent 20% or greater advantage across all Cinebench tests—from R15 through R23, in both single-core and multi-core variants—suggests that it handles sustained compute-heavy workloads more effectively. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2547 versus 2113 for the i7-4500U, a 20.5% gap, indicates that the desktop chip can maintain higher throughput when all cores are engaged over an extended period. Similarly, the single-core Cinebench results (359 vs 298, a 20.5% lead) show that even in lightly threaded scenarios, the i5-3470T's higher base clock of 2.90 GHz and boost clock of 3.60 GHz provide a tangible advantage over the i7-4500U's 1.80 GHz base and 3.00 GHz boost.

The Intel Core i7-4500U, on the other hand, wins decisively in Geekbench tests. Geekbench is often used to measure general-purpose CPU performance, including tasks like encryption, compression, and image processing. The i7-4500U's 31.5% lead in single-core Geekbench (818 vs 560) and 29.4% lead in multi-core Geekbench (1562 vs 1102) suggest that it has superior per-clock efficiency and a more modern microarchitecture. Despite its much lower clock speeds, the i7-4500U outperforms the i5-3470T in these tests, indicating that the Haswell architecture's IPC (instructions per clock) gains over Ivy Bridge are substantial. This is particularly notable for a mobile processor with a 15W TDP, which must balance performance against thermal and power constraints.

For users, the choice depends heavily on the software they run. If the workload is Cinebench-like—such as 3D rendering or video encoding—the i5-3470T is the better performer. If the workload is Geekbench-like—such as everyday productivity, web browsing, or office applications—the i7-4500U holds a significant edge. The data does not support a single winner; it supports two different winners for two different categories of tasks.

The Verdict

The data shows that the Intel Core i5-3470T is the appropriate choice for users who prioritize Cinebench-style rendering workloads. Its 20.8% lead in Cinebench R15 multicore and 20.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore are substantial and consistent. This processor is designed for a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1155) with a 35W TDP, which allows it to sustain higher clock speeds (2.90 GHz base, 3.60 GHz boost) and deliver predictable performance in compute-intensive applications. If the primary use case involves rendering, the i5-3470T is the clear pick.

The Intel Core i7-4500U is the better option for users who run Geekbench-style workloads, including general-purpose tasks that benefit from higher IPC and more efficient execution. Its 31.5% lead in Geekbench single-core and 29.4% lead in Geekbench multi-core are impossible to ignore. This processor is built for mobile devices (Intel BGA 1168 socket) with a 15W TDP, making it far more power-efficient while still delivering strong performance in everyday applications. For a laptop user who needs responsiveness in office work, web browsing, and light multitasking, the i7-4500U is the superior part.

Both processors share the same 23rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical (863 vs 859, a 0.4% difference). However, this parity is misleading. The i5-3470T wins 5 benchmarks, while the i7-4500U wins only 2, but the two it wins are by much larger margins. The verdict is clear: choose the i5-3470T for rendering and sustained multi-core compute, and choose the i7-4500U for general-purpose efficiency and single-threaded responsiveness. There is no universal winner; there is only the right tool for the job.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470T has an average benchmark score of 863, while the Intel Core i7-4500U has an average score of 859. The difference is 0.4% in favor of the i5-3470T.

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

A: The i5-3470T scores 2547 in Cinebench R23 multicore, compared to 2113 for the i7-4500U. This represents a 20.5% advantage for the i5-3470T.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the i7-4500U scores 818 against the i5-3470T's 560, a 31.5% lead for the i7-4500U.

Q: Do both processors share the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-3470T and the Intel Core i7-4500U have 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470T has a TDP of 35W, while the Intel Core i7-4500U has a TDP of 15W. The i7-4500U is designed for lower power consumption.

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470T wins 5 of the 7 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-4500U wins 2.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different microarchitectures despite sharing the same 22 nm process node and being manufactured by Intel. The Intel Core i5-3470T is based on Ivy Bridge, while the Intel Core i7-4500U is based on Haswell, with the codename Haswell-ULT. The die size differs significantly: the i5-3470T has a die size of 93.6 mm², while the i7-4500U has a larger die of 118 mm². The i7-4500U also lists its transistor count as 1,300 million, a figure not provided for the i5-3470T.

The cache hierarchy differs in the L3 cache, which is shared across cores. The i5-3470T has 3 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i7-4500U has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have the same L1 cache (64 KB per core) and L2 cache (256 KB per core). The integrated graphics also differ: the i5-3470T includes Intel HD 2500, while the i7-4500U features Intel HD 4400. The i7-4500U's larger L3 cache and newer Haswell architecture likely contribute to its strong Geekbench performance, despite its lower clock speeds.

The i5-3470T supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), a feature not listed for the i7-4500U. The i5-3470T is also a desktop part (market segment: Desktop), while the i7-4500U is a mobile part (market segment: Mobile). Neither processor supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-3470T was released on 2012-05-31, and the i7-4500U was released on 2013-06-03, indicating a generational gap of just over a year.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for the two processors reveal several key differences. The base clock speed is dramatically different: the i5-3470T runs at 2.90 GHz, while the i7-4500U runs at 1800.00 MHz (1.80 GHz). The boost clock also differs, with the i5-3470T reaching 3.60 GHz and the i7-4500U reaching 3.00 GHz. The TDP is another major point of divergence: the i5-3470T has a 35W TDP, while the i7-4500U has a 15W TDP, reflecting the mobile chip's focus on efficiency.

The socket types are incompatible: the i5-3470T uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-4500U uses Intel BGA 1168. The i5-3470T supports dual-channel DDR3 memory, while the i7-4500U's memory bus is not listed. The PCIe support is only specified for the i5-3470T (Gen 3, 16 Lanes CPU only), with no PCIe information provided for the i7-4500U. The part numbers also differ: the i5-3470T is SR0RJ, and the i7-4500U is SR16Z. Neither processor has a launch MSRP listed in the data, and both are locked (multiplier unlocked: false). These specification differences underscore the fundamental distinction: the i5-3470T is a higher-clocked desktop chip, while the i7-4500U is a lower-clocked, more power-efficient mobile chip.