Intel Core i5-3570 vs Intel Core i7-3610QE Comparison

Intel Core i7-3610QE and Intel Core i5-3570 are both 22nm Ivy Bridge parts, but they target different segments and deliver contrasting performance profiles. The data shows the i7-3610QE wins 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the i5-3570 takes the remaining 2 with decisive margins in Geekbench. The i7 leads in every Cinebench test by roughly 8%, while the i5 counters with a 13.2% lead in Geekbench multi-core and a 27.3% lead in Geekbench single-core.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3610QE dominates sustained rendering workloads. Across all three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23), the i7 wins both multi-core and single-core tests with deltas between 8.1% and 8.5%. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the i7 scores 64 against the i5's 59, an 8.5% advantage. Multi-core Cinebench R15 shows 456 vs 421, an 8.3% edge. These consistent wins suggest the i7's 8 threads provide a measurable benefit in threaded rendering, while its 2.30 GHz base clock still outpaces the i5 in single-threaded Cinebench despite the i5's higher 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost.

The Intel Core i5-3570 wins decisively in Geekbench. The single-core gap is massive: 770 vs 560, a 27.3% advantage for the i5. Multi-core Geekbench also favors the i5, 2251 vs 1954, a 13.2% lead. This pattern indicates the i5's higher clock speeds (3.40 GHz base, 3.80 GHz boost) translate directly into superior performance in Geekbench's workload mix, which appears less sensitive to thread count and more reliant on raw frequency. The i5's 4 threads versus the i7's 8 threads do not hurt it here; in fact, it wins despite having half the logical processors.

The split is clear: the i7-3610QE wins Cinebench across the board, while the i5-3570 wins Geekbench across the board. For users whose work resembles Cinebench's rendering pipeline, the i7 is the stronger choice. For general-purpose computing that mimics Geekbench's mixed integer and floating-point tests, the i5 pulls ahead.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Ivy Bridge architecture, 22 nm process node, 1,400 million transistors, and 160 mm² die size. They also have identical cache configurations: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. The fundamental architectural difference is thread count: the i7-3610QE has 8 threads (4 cores with Hyper-Threading), while the i5-3570 has 4 threads (4 cores without Hyper-Threading).

Clock speeds differ significantly. The i7-3610QE runs at 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost, while the i5-3570 runs at 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The i5 holds a 1.10 GHz base clock advantage and a 0.50 GHz boost clock advantage. This explains the Geekbench results, where higher frequency directly improves scores.

Thermal and platform differences are substantial. The i7-3610QE is a mobile part with 45W TDP, using Intel Socket G2 (988B). The i5-3570 is a desktop part with 77W TDP, using Intel Socket 1155. The i5's higher power envelope allows its higher clocks. Integrated graphics also differ: the i7 has Intel HD 4000, while the i5 has Intel HD 2500.

Memory support differs in one respect: the i5-3570 explicitly supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-3610QE's memory support field is null in the data. Both use dual-channel memory buses and neither supports ECC. The i5 also lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7's PCIe field is null.

The i7-3610QE launched on 2012-04-28, while the i5-3570 launched on 2012-05-31. The i5 has a launch MSRP of $194. The i5 is marked end-of-life, while the i7's production status is not specified. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear verdict based on workload. The Intel Core i7-3610QE is the better processor for Cinebench-style rendering workloads, winning all six Cinebench comparisons with margins from 8.1% to 8.5%. Its 8 threads provide a consistent advantage in threaded rendering, and even in single-core Cinebench tests it edges out the i5 despite lower clocks. The i7's 45W TDP also makes it suitable for mobile platforms, where its Socket G2 (988B) compatibility matters.

The Intel Core i5-3570 is the better processor for Geekbench-style general-purpose workloads, winning both Geekbench tests with margins of 13.2% (multi-core) and 27.3% (single-core). Its higher base and boost clocks (3.40 GHz and 3.80 GHz) drive these wins, demonstrating that raw frequency outweighs thread count in this benchmark suite. The i5 also supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth and PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes, making it a more complete desktop platform part.

Neither processor holds a universal advantage. The i7 wins 6 of 8 benchmarks, but the i5 wins the two most lopsided comparisons. The i5's average benchmark score is 1286, while the i7's is 1297, a difference of less than 1%. Both sit at the 35th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall standing.

Pick the i7-3610QE if your primary workloads are threaded rendering tasks similar to Cinebench. Pick the i5-3570 if you need higher frequency for single-threaded performance and Geekbench-style general computing, and if you require desktop platform features like DDR3 support and PCIe Gen 3.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3610QE has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-3570 has 4 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i5-3570 leads by 27.3% with a score of 770 versus 560 for the Intel Core i7-3610QE.

Q: Do both processors use the same manufacturing process?

A: Yes, both use Intel's 22 nm process node, and both have 1,400 million transistors and a 160 mm² die size.

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570 has higher clocks: 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, compared to the Intel Core i7-3610QE's 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-3610QE has a 45W TDP, while the Intel Core i5-3570 has a 77W TDP.

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-3610QE wins with a score of 4533 versus 4187 for the Intel Core i5-3570, an 8.3% advantage.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i7-3610QE's strongest showing is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 64 against the i5-3570's 59, an 8.5% delta. This is notable because the i5 has a 1.10 GHz base clock advantage, yet the i7 still wins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 456 versus 421, an 8.3% margin. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows 1903 vs 1758, an 8.2% edge for the i7. Cinebench R20 single-core sees the i7 at 268 versus 248, an 8.1% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core has the i7 at 4533 versus 4187, an 8.3% win. Cinebench R23 single-core rounds out the i7's sweep at 639 versus 591, an 8.1% margin.

The Intel Core i5-3570's biggest win is Geekbench single-core, where it scores 770 versus 560, a 27.3% lead. This is the largest delta in any benchmark between the two processors. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5 scores 2251 versus 1954, a 13.2% advantage. These two wins are substantial enough to offset the i7's six smaller wins in the aggregate average score, which sits at 1297 for the i7 and 1286 for the i5.

The benchmark pattern suggests the i7-3610QE's Hyper-Threading provides a consistent 8% boost in Cinebench's rendering workloads, regardless of whether the test is single-core or multi-core. The i5-3570's higher clocks provide a 13-27% boost in Geekbench, which appears to reward frequency over thread count. The i5's Geekbench single-core advantage of 27.3% is over three times larger than the i7's largest Cinebench win of 8.5%.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. Thread count: the i7-3610QE has 8 threads versus the i5-3570's 4 threads. Base clock: 2.30 GHz for the i7 versus 3.40 GHz for the i5. Boost clock: 3.30 GHz for the i7 versus 3.80 GHz for the i5. TDP: 45W for the i7 versus 77W for the i5. Socket: Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7 versus Intel Socket 1155 for the i5.

Integrated graphics differ: the i7-3610QE has Intel HD 4000, while the i5-3570 has Intel HD 2500. Memory support: the i5-3570 explicitly lists DDR3 support with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-3610QE's memory support field is null. PCIe: the i5-3570 lists Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3610QE's PCIe field is null.

Market segment differs: the i7-3610QE is a Mobile part, while the i5-3570 is a Desktop part. Production status: the i5-3570 is marked end-of-life, while the i7-3610QE's status is not specified. Release dates differ: the i7 launched on 2012-04-28, the i5 on 2012-05-31. The i5-3570 has a launch MSRP of $194, while the i7-3610QE has no launch MSRP listed. Part numbers differ: SR0NP for the i7, SR0T7 for the i5.

Both share identical cache layouts: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3. Both use dual-channel memory buses, neither supports ECC, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. Both use the same Ivy Bridge architecture, codename, 22 nm process, 1,400 million transistors, and 160 mm² die size. The i5-3570's higher TDP of 77W versus 45W reflects its desktop orientation and higher clock speeds.