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

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data splits these two Ivy Bridge processors into two distinct performance camps. Across the six Cinebench workloads, the mobile Intel Core i7-3610QM consistently leads, while the desktop Intel Core i5-3570 dominates the two Geekbench tests. The margins, however, tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3610QM scores 440 against the i5-3570's 421, a 4.3% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 62 versus 59, a 4.8% edge for the mobile chip. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-3610QM posts 1836 multi-core and 259 single-core, while the i5-3570 manages 1758 and 248 respectively, translating to a 4.2% lead in both metrics. Cinebench R23 repeats this script: 4373 versus 4187 multi-core and 617 versus 591 single-core, each a 4.3% and 4.2% margin for the i7-3610QM.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-3570 scores 2251 against the i7-3610QM's 1831, a substantial 22.9% victory. The single-core gap is even wider: 770 versus 537, giving the desktop part a commanding 43.4% lead. This is not a small difference; it is a generational-style chasm within the same architecture generation.

What does this mean in context? The i7-3610QM's average benchmark score sits at 1244, placing it in the 34th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Its nearest rivals include the Intel Pentium Gold G6600 (0.7% higher) and the Intel Core i3-8109U (0.7% higher), while the Intel Xeon E3-1235L v5 trails by 1%. The i5-3570, with an average score of 1286, lands in the 35th percentile, and its closest comparisons are the Intel Core i5-4670R (identical score) and the AMD Opteron 6272 (0.1% lower). The i5-3570 also outpaces its own sibling, the i5-3570K, by 0.6%.

The benchmark results indicate a clear split: for sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads, the i7-3610QM's extra threads pay off, but for memory-sensitive and integer-heavy tasks, the i5-3570's higher clock speeds and desktop design produce far superior results. The Geekbench single-core delta of 43.4% is the largest margin in the entire head-to-head set, dwarfing every Cinebench gap.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same fundamental silicon: Ivy Bridge architecture, a 22 nm process node, 1,400 million transistors, and a 160 mm² die size. Both use Intel as the foundry, and both integrate the same L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), and L3 cache (6 MB shared). Memory support is DDR3 with a dual-channel bus and a bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory, and both feature PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The core difference is threading. The i5-3570 provides 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-3610QM offers 4 cores and 8 threads through Hyper-Threading. This explains the Cinebench multi-core advantage, but it does not account for the Geekbench deficits. Clock speeds diverge: the i5-3570 runs at 3.40 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost, while the i7-3610QM operates at 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The desktop part's higher clocks directly contribute to its single-core dominance.

Thermal design power also differs meaningfully: the i5-3570 is rated at 77 W, the i7-3610QM at 45 W. This reflects the mobile segment's power constraints, not necessarily a performance ceiling. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-3570 carries Intel HD 2500, while the i7-3610QM uses Intel HD 4000, a more capable iGPU for its intended laptop use.

Packaging and platform targets are distinct. The i5-3570 uses Intel Socket 1155 and is a desktop part, released on 2012-05-31. The i7-3610QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), targets mobile systems, and launched slightly earlier on 2012-04-22. Both are end-of-life and have locked multipliers. The i5-3570's part number is SR0T7, while the i7-3610QM's is SR0MN.

The Verdict

The data points to different buyers for each chip. For users running Cinebench-style workloads, the i7-3610QM is the clear choice: it wins all six Cinebench tests by margins between 4.2% and 4.8%. Its additional threads provide a tangible, if modest, multi-core advantage. For tasks that stress single-core performance or memory bandwidth, the i5-3570 is decisively superior, with a 43.4% single-core Geekbench lead and a 22.9% multi-core Geekbench lead.

The i5-3570's average benchmark score of 1286 is 3.4% higher than the i7-3610QM's 1244, and its percentile ranking (35th) is one point above the mobile chip's (34th). The desktop part also benefits from a higher boost clock (3.80 GHz versus 3.30 GHz) and a lower launch MSRP: the i5-3570 was introduced at $194, while the i7-3610QM carried a $378 launch MSRP. That price gap, however, is secondary to the performance profile.

For a desktop system prioritizing raw speed in single-threaded applications, the i5-3570 is the superior pick. For a laptop or compact system where power efficiency matters (45 W TDP versus 77 W) and multi-threaded rendering is common, the i7-3610QM justifies its existence. Neither chip is a universal winner; the benchmark results indicate a workload-dependent decision.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3570 | Intel Core i7-3610QM |

|----------------|---------------------|-----------------------|

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 77 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket G2 (988B) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2500 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Release Date | 2012-05-31 | 2012-04-22 |

| Launch MSRP | $194 | $378 |

| Part Number | SR0T7 | SR0MN |

All other fields, including core count, cache sizes, process node, memory support, and PCIe configuration, are identical between the two.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more threads?

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

Q: How much faster is the i5-3570 in Geekbench single-core?

A: The i5-3570 scores 770 in Geekbench single-core versus the i7-3610QM's 537, a 43.4% advantage.

Q: Does the i7-3610QM win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes, the i7-3610QM wins all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, both multi-core and single-core), with margins ranging from 4.2% to 4.8%.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The i5-3570 has a TDP of 77 W, while the i7-3610QM has a TDP of 45 W, reflecting the mobile chip's lower power envelope.

Q: Are both processors based on the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are Ivy Bridge with a 22 nm process node, 1,400 million transistors, and a 160 mm² die size. They also share identical L1, L2, and L3 cache configurations.

Q: Which chip has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i5-3570 has an average score of 1286, while the i7-3610QM averages 1244. The i5-3570 also ranks in the 35th percentile versus the i7-3610QM's 34th.