Intel Core i5-3570 vs Intel Core i5-6400 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results present a sharply divided picture. In the Cinebench suite, the older Intel Core i5-3570 consistently outperforms the newer Intel Core i5-6400 across every iteration and workload type. The margin is remarkably uniform, with the i5-3570 leading by 13.5% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (421 vs. 364), 13.6% in R15 single-core (59 vs. 51), and 13.7% in both R20 multi-core (1758 vs. 1517) and R20 single-core (248 vs. 214). This pattern extends to R23, where the i5-3570 posts a 4187 multi-core score and a 591 single-core score, both 13.7% ahead of the i5-6400's 3614 and 510 respectively.

These consistent deltas suggest a fundamental clock-speed advantage rather than an architectural edge in these specific tests. The i5-3570's higher base and boost clocks (3.40 GHz and 3.80 GHz versus 2.70 GHz and 3.30 GHz) appear to drive its dominance in Cinebench's rendering and simulation workloads, which historically scale directly with raw frequency when core counts are equal.

However, the Geekbench results tell an entirely different story, and it is here that the i5-6400 secures its only victories. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-6400 scores 3134 against the i5-3570's 2251, a commanding 39.2% advantage. The single-core gap is nearly as pronounced: 1048 versus 770, a 36.1% lead for the i5-6400. These are not marginal wins; they represent a substantial generational leap in the newer chip's favor.

The split is striking. The i5-3570 wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests, while the i5-6400 wins only 2. Yet the magnitude of the i5-6400's Geekbench victories is so large that the average benchmark score paints a near-tie: the i5-6400 averages 1307, while the i5-3570 averages 1286. This places both processors at the 35th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning their overall performance profiles are remarkably similar despite the divergent test results.

The Verdict

The data suggests that the choice between these two processors depends entirely on the intended workload. For users running Cinebench-style rendering tasks, video encoding, or other heavily threaded compute jobs that respond to clock frequency, the Intel Core i5-3570 is the clear winner. Its consistent 13.7% advantage across the R20 and R23 multi-core tests shows that the older Ivy Bridge architecture, with its higher clocks, is simply faster in these scenarios.

Conversely, the Intel Core i5-6400 demonstrates a decisive edge in Geekbench, which often reflects more modern instruction sets, memory subsystem efficiency, and branch prediction improvements. The 39.2% multi-core and 36.1% single-core leads suggest that the Skylake architecture handles Geekbench's diverse workload mix significantly better, likely due to its newer design and faster DDR4 memory support.

The database's percentile ranking places both at the 35th percentile, indicating that neither chip is a standout performer in the broader CPU landscape. The i5-3570's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-4670R (exact tie at 1286), the AMD Opteron 6272 (1288, 0.1% ahead), and the Intel Core i7-3630QM (1289, 0.3% ahead). The i5-6400 sits near the AMD Opteron 6328 (1304, 0.2% behind) and the AMD Athlon Gold 7220U (1311, 0.3% ahead).

For a buyer choosing between these two legacy parts, the verdict is workload-dependent. Pick the i5-3570 for clock-sensitive productivity tasks. Pick the i5-6400 for Geekbench-style general compute and the modern platform benefits it brings.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different Intel design eras. The Intel Core i5-6400 uses the Skylake architecture, built on a 14 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-3570 uses the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm node. This process shrink gives the i5-6400 a substantial manufacturing advantage, allowing for the same four cores and four threads in a die size of 177 mm² compared to the i5-3570's 160 mm². The i5-3570's die contains 1,400 million transistors, a figure not available for the i5-6400 in the database.

Both chips share identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. Neither supports ECC memory, and both use dual-channel memory buses. The PCIe implementation is also identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The critical architectural divergence lies in memory support. The i5-6400 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, while the i5-3570 supports DDR3 with a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. This 8.5 GB/s difference may explain why the i5-6400 excels in Geekbench, as memory bandwidth and latency are significant factors in that benchmark's mixed workloads.

The integrated graphics also differ substantially. The i5-6400 features HD Graphics 530, a more modern iGPU with better media decoding capabilities, while the i5-3570 ships with Intel HD 2500, an older and less capable graphics solution. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not officially supported on either chip.

The production status for both is end-of-life, and both target the desktop market segment. The i5-6400 was released on 2015-07-01, while the i5-3570 came earlier on 2012-05-31, making the i5-3570 roughly three years older.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ, based on the recorded data:

Clock Speeds: The i5-3570 runs at a 3.40 GHz base clock and boosts to 3.80 GHz, while the i5-6400 operates at a 2.70 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. This 0.70 GHz base and 0.50 GHz boost gap is the most immediate specification difference.

Thermal Design Power: The i5-6400 draws 65 W TDP, while the i5-3570 is rated at 77 W. The newer chip is more power-efficient despite being on a larger die.

Socket: The i5-6400 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-3570 uses Intel Socket 1155. These are physically incompatible, meaning platform choice is dictated by the motherboard.

Process Node: 14 nm for the i5-6400 versus 22 nm for the i5-3570.

Transistors: The i5-3570 contains 1,400 million transistors; the i5-6400's count is not recorded.

Die Size: 177 mm² for the i5-6400 versus 160 mm² for the i5-3570.

Memory Support: DDR4 for the i5-6400, DDR3 for the i5-3570.

Memory Bandwidth: 34.1 GB/s for the i5-6400, 25.6 GB/s for the i5-3570.

Integrated Graphics: HD Graphics 530 for the i5-6400, Intel HD 2500 for the i5-3570.

Release Date: 2015-07-01 for the i5-6400, 2012-05-31 for the i5-3570.

Launch MSRP: The i5-6400 launched at $182, while the i5-3570 launched at $194.

Part Number: SR2L7 for the i5-6400, SR0T7 for the i5-3570.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher base clock speed?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz, which is 0.70 GHz higher than the i5-6400's 2.70 GHz base clock.

Q: Why does the i5-3570 win all Cinebench tests?

A: The i5-3570 leads by 13.5% to 13.7% across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests. This consistent margin correlates with its higher clock speeds, which benefit Cinebench's frequency-sensitive rendering workloads.

Q: What explains the i5-6400's huge Geekbench advantage?

A: The i5-6400 scores 39.2% higher in Geekbench multi-core (3134 vs. 2251) and 36.1% higher in single-core (1048 vs. 770). The newer Skylake architecture and faster DDR4 memory bandwidth (34.1 GB/s vs. 25.6 GB/s) likely contribute to this result.

Q: Are the two processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: No. The i5-6400 requires Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-3570 uses Intel Socket 1155. These are different sockets, so each chip needs a matching motherboard.

Q: Which chip is more power-efficient?

A: The i5-6400 has a 65 W TDP, while the i5-3570 is rated at 77 W. Despite its lower power draw, the i5-6400 achieves a higher average benchmark score (1307 vs. 1286).

Q: Do both processors have the same amount of cache?

A: Yes, both feature 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Their cache configurations are identical.