Intel Core i5-3570 vs Intel Core i5-4430S Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3570 and Intel Core i5-4430S are both quad-core desktop processors from Intel, but they represent different architectural generations and deliver surprisingly split results across benchmark suites. The i5-3570 wins decisively in all Cinebench tests, while the i5-4430S takes a commanding lead in both Geekbench tests. This creates a nuanced picture: the older Ivy Bridge part dominates in rendering workloads, while the newer Haswell part excels in the Geekbench metric. With both CPUs sitting at the 35th percentile of all processors, the choice depends entirely on which benchmark family matters more for the intended workload.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split decision. The Intel Core i5-3570 is the pick for users prioritizing Cinebench workloads, as it wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests with deltas ranging from 12.8% to 13.5%. Its average benchmark score of 1286 also edges out the i5-4430S's 1274, and it matches the i5-4670R exactly at 1286. The i5-3570's nearest rivals include the AMD Opteron 6272 at 1288 (0.1% faster) and the i5-3570K at 1293 (0.6% faster), placing it in a tightly contested performance cluster.

The Intel Core i5-4430S is the choice for Geekbench-centric usage, winning the multicore test with 2773 versus 2251 (an 18.8% advantage) and the singlecore test with 980 versus 770 (a 21.4% advantage). However, its average benchmark score of 1274 places it just behind the i5-3570, and its nearest rival is the Intel Atom x7425E at 1273 (0.1% slower). The i5-4430S also carries a lower 65W TDP versus the i5-3570's 77W, making it the more power-efficient option for systems where thermal headroom is a concern. For a balanced assessment, the i5-3570 wins more tests overall (6 wins versus 2), but the i5-4430S's Geekbench dominance is substantial enough to recommend it for applications that align with that benchmark's methodology.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures and sockets. The Intel Core i5-3570 is built on Ivy Bridge architecture, uses the Intel Socket 1155, and was released in 2012. It features a 22nm process node with a die size of 160 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-4430S is a Haswell architecture part, uses the Intel Socket 1150, and was released in 2013. It also uses a 22nm process node but has a larger 177 mm² die size with the same 1,400 million transistor count.

Clock speeds differ significantly. The i5-3570 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, while the i5-4430S operates at a lower 2.70 GHz base and 3.20 GHz boost. This 0.70 GHz base and 0.60 GHz boost difference explains much of the i5-3570's Cinebench advantage. Both CPUs have 4 cores and 4 threads, share the same cache hierarchy (64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3), and support dual-channel DDR3 memory. The i5-3570 lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-4430S does not provide that figure in the data.

Integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-3570 includes Intel HD 2500, while the i5-4430S steps up to Intel HD 4600. The i5-3570 specifies PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i5-4430S lists PCIe Gen 3 without lane details. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack ECC memory support. The i5-3570 is marked as end-of-life production status, while the i5-4430S has no production status listed. The i5-3570 carries a launch MSRP of $194; the i5-4430S has no launch MSRP in the data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i5-3570 dominates every Cinebench iteration. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 421 against the i5-4430S's 373, a 12.9% win. The singlecore R15 test shows 59 versus 52, a 13.5% margin. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-3570 posts 1758 multicore and 248 singlecore, versus 1558 and 219 for the i5-4430S, yielding 12.8% and 13.2% advantages respectively. In Cinebench R23, the i5-3570 reaches 4187 multicore and 591 singlecore, while the i5-4430S manages 3710 and 523, with deltas of 12.9% and 13.0%. Consistently, the i5-3570 leads by roughly 13% across all Cinebench tests, regardless of workload version.

The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. The i5-4430S scores 2773 in Geekbench multicore versus the i5-3570's 2251, an 18.8% win for the Haswell part. In Geekbench singlecore, the i5-4430S posts 980 against 770, a 21.4% margin. These are substantial reversals that cannot be attributed to clock speed alone, since the i5-3570 runs faster. The Geekbench suite appears to favor architectural improvements in the Haswell design, while Cinebench scales more directly with clock frequency and core throughput.

The i5-3570's average benchmark score of 1286 is 0.9% higher than the i5-4430S's 1274, but both sit at the 35th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-3570's nearest rival is the i5-4670R at 1286 (0% delta), while the i5-4430S's closest competitor is the Intel Atom x7425E at 1273 (0.1% delta). Notably, the i5-3570's rival cluster includes the i5-3570K at 1293 (0.6% faster), showing the non-K variant trails its unlocked sibling by less than 1%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570 wins 6 out of 8 head-to-head tests, taking all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore and singlecore benchmarks. The Intel Core i5-4430S wins the remaining 2 tests, both Geekbench multicore and singlecore.

Q: What is the performance gap in Cinebench R23?

A: The i5-3570 scores 4187 in multicore and 591 in singlecore, while the i5-4430S scores 3710 and 523. This represents a 12.9% advantage for the i5-3570 in multicore and a 13.0% advantage in singlecore.

Q: How large is the Geekbench lead for the i5-4430S?

A: The i5-4430S leads by 18.8% in Geekbench multicore (2773 versus 2251) and by 21.4% in Geekbench singlecore (980 versus 770).

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

A: Yes, both the i5-3570 and i5-4430S have 4 cores and 4 threads. They also share the same cache configuration: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i5-3570 has an average benchmark score of 1286, while the i5-4430S scores 1274. The i5-3570's score is identical to the Intel Core i5-4670R's 1286, while the i5-4430S's score is 0.1% higher than the Intel Atom x7425E's 1273.

Q: What are the TDP differences?

A: The i5-3570 has a TDP of 77W, while the i5-4430S is rated at 65W. The lower TDP of the i5-4430S indicates it draws less power and generates less heat.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3570 is the clear winner for rendering and CPU-intensive compute workloads that follow the Cinebench pattern. Its consistent 12.8% to 13.5% lead across all three Cinebench versions—R15, R20, and R23—demonstrates that the higher clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost) translate directly into better multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering performance. Users running 3D modeling, video encoding, or any workload that stresses sustained CPU throughput will benefit from the i5-3570's advantage. With a launch MSRP of $194, it also offers a fixed reference point for cost comparison, though the i5-4430S has no listed launch MSRP.

The Intel Core i5-4430S is the winner for Geekbench-oriented workloads and power-sensitive builds. Its 18.8% multicore and 21.4% singlecore Geekbench leads over the i5-3570 are the largest margins seen in this comparison, suggesting that the Haswell architecture's efficiency improvements matter more in this benchmark's mixed workload. The 65W TDP versus 77W makes it the better choice for compact desktops, media centers, or systems where power draw and heat output are primary constraints. Its integrated Intel HD 4600 graphics also represent a generational upgrade over the HD 2500 in the i5-3570, which could matter for systems relying solely on integrated graphics.

For a general-purpose recommendation, the i5-3570's 6-2 win record and higher average benchmark score (1286 versus 1274) give it the edge in overall versatility. However, the i5-4430S's Geekbench dominance cannot be dismissed—if the target applications resemble Geekbench's testing methodology, the newer Haswell part will feel noticeably faster. The choice ultimately hinges on workload type: Cinebench-style rendering favors the i5-3570, while Geekbench-style mixed tasks favor the i5-4430S. Neither processor cracks the 36th percentile, so buyers should temper expectations for modern high-end performance, but within this class, the decision is clear based on benchmark priorities.