Intel Core i5-3570 vs Intel Core i7-3770T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split between these two Ivy Bridge desktop processors. The Intel Core i7-3770T wins six of the eight recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-3570 takes the remaining two, and the margin of victory tells a more complex story than the raw win count suggests.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the i7-3770T demonstrates a consistent advantage across all six tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-3770T scores 464 against 421 for the i5-3570, a 10.2% lead. The single-core R15 test shows the same 10.2% delta, with scores of 65 and 59 respectively. Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds: multi-core results show 1936 versus 1758 (10.1% ahead), and single-core shows 273 versus 248 (again 10.1%). The R23 tests continue this trend, with the i7-3770T scoring 4611 to 4187 in multi-core (10.1%) and 651 to 591 in single-core (10.2%).

The consistency of that 10% margin across every Cinebench iteration is striking. It suggests a structural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The i7-3770T's Hyper-Threading support likely explains the multi-core gains, but the fact that single-core scores also show the same advantage points to clock behavior or architectural configuration differences that benefit the i7 in these specific rendering tasks.

Then comes the Geekbench reversal. The i5-3570 turns the tables decisively. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-3570 scores 2251 against 1916 for the i7-3770T, a 14.9% advantage. The single-core gap is even larger: 770 versus 592, a 23.1% lead for the i5-3570. This is not a narrow victory; it is a substantial reversal of fortune.

What explains this dramatic swing? The i5-3570 runs at a higher base clock (3.40 GHz versus 2.50 GHz) and a higher boost clock (3.80 GHz versus 3.70 GHz). In workloads that scale with raw clock speed and do not benefit from additional threads, the i5's frequency advantage becomes decisive. Geekbench's test composition apparently favors that kind of workload, while Cinebench's rendering tasks reward the i7's eight threads.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the overall picture. The i7-3770T holds an average score of 1314 across all recorded benchmarks, while the i5-3570 averages 1286. Both processors land at the 35th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy similar overall performance tiers despite their divergent strengths.

Looking at the nearest rivals provides additional context. The i7-3770T sits within 0.5% of the AMD Athlon Gold 7220U (1311 average, 0.2% delta), the Intel Core i5-4570R (1318, -0.3%), the Intel Celeron G6900E (1321, -0.5%), and the Intel Celeron G6900T (1321, -0.5%). The i5-3570 matches the Intel Core i5-4670R exactly at 1286, sits 0.1% above the AMD Opteron 6272 (1288), 0.3% above the Intel Core i7-3630QM (1289), and 0.6% above the Intel Core i5-3570K (1293). Both chips cluster tightly with their contemporary peers, though the i7-3770T's slightly higher average suggests a marginal overall edge.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-3770T wins 6 of the 8 recorded head-to-head tests, all within the Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 suites. The Intel Core i5-3570 wins the remaining 2 tests, both in Geekbench.

Q: How large is the i7-3770T's Cinebench advantage?

A: The i7-3770T leads by 10.1% to 10.2% across all six Cinebench tests. Multi-core and single-core deltas are nearly identical, ranging from 10.1% in R20 and R23 multi-core to 10.2% in R15 multi-core, R15 single-core, and R23 single-core.

Q: How large is the i5-3570's Geekbench advantage?

A: The i5-3570 leads by 14.9% in Geekbench multi-core (2251 versus 1916) and by 23.1% in Geekbench single-core (770 versus 592).

Q: Do both processors share the same architecture?

A: Yes. Both use the Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node with 1,400 million transistors and a 160 mm² die size. Both are manufactured by Intel and use the Intel Socket 1155.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: Both have 4 physical cores. The i7-3770T supports 8 threads, while the i5-3570 supports 4 threads, meaning the i7 has Hyper-Threading and the i5 does not.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-3770T has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-3570 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Architecture Differences

Both processors come from the same Ivy Bridge family, built on Intel's 22 nm process by Intel's own foundry. The transistor count is identical at 1,400 million, and the die size matches at 160 mm². The L1 and L2 cache structures are also the same: 64 KB per core for L1 and 256 KB per core for L2.

The architectural divergence begins with threading. The i7-3770T supports 8 threads across its 4 cores, while the i5-3570 supports only 4 threads. This is the defining architectural difference between the two parts. Hyper-Threading on the i7 allows each physical core to handle two threads simultaneously, which explains its consistent Cinebench multi-core advantage.

The L3 cache also differs. The i7-3770T carries 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-3570 has 6 MB. This 2 MB difference could contribute to the i7's performance in cache-sensitive workloads, though the benchmark data does not isolate this variable from the threading difference.

Both processors integrate graphics, but the iGPU tiers differ. The i7-3770T includes Intel HD 4000 graphics, while the i5-3570 includes Intel HD 2500. This represents a meaningful difference in integrated graphics capability, though the database records no graphics benchmarks for either chip.

Power characteristics differ substantially. The i7-3770T has a 45 W TDP, while the i5-3570 has a 77 W TDP. This is notable because the i7 delivers higher Cinebench scores while consuming significantly less power, suggesting the 45 W part achieves its performance through a lower base clock paired with efficient threading.

Memory support is identical in structure: both use DDR3 with a dual-channel memory bus. The i5-3570 lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i7-3770T entry does not record a bandwidth figure. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

PCIe configuration matches as well. Both use Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU. The socket is the same Intel Socket 1155, meaning both fit in compatible motherboards.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several recorded specifications. The i7-3770T has a base clock of 2.50 GHz, while the i5-3570 has a base clock of 3.40 GHz. The boost clocks are closer: 3.70 GHz for the i7 versus 3.80 GHz for the i5. This gives the i5 a 0.90 GHz base clock advantage and a 0.10 GHz boost clock advantage.

Thread count differs as noted: 8 threads for the i7-3770T versus 4 threads for the i5-3570. L3 cache differs by 2 MB, with the i7 holding 8 MB and the i5 holding 6 MB.

TDP is a major differentiator. The i7-3770T draws 45 W, while the i5-3570 draws 77 W. The i7's lower power envelope is remarkable given its higher Cinebench scores.

Integrated graphics differ: Intel HD 4000 on the i7-3770T versus Intel HD 2500 on the i5-3570. The i5-3570 lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i7-3770T does not record this figure.

Production status differs. The i5-3570 is marked as end-of-life, while the i7-3770T has no recorded production status. The i5-3570 has a launch MSRP of $194. The i7-3770T has no launch MSRP recorded.

Release dates are close but not identical. The i7-3770T launched on 2012-04-28, and the i5-3570 launched on 2012-05-31. Part numbers also differ: SR0PQ for the i7, SR0T7 for the i5. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture of two processors optimized for different priorities. The i7-3770T is the stronger overall performer in the Cinebench suite, winning all six tests by roughly 10%. Its 8-thread capability and larger 8 MB L3 cache give it a structural advantage in rendering workloads that scale with thread count.

The i5-3570, however, dominates Geekbench. Its 23.1% single-core lead and 14.9% multi-core lead in that suite show that raw clock speed still matters enormously. The i5's 3.40 GHz base clock versus the i7's 2.50 GHz base clock is a 0.90 GHz gap that the i7 cannot fully overcome in clock-sensitive tasks, despite its higher thread count.

The average benchmark scores favor the i7-3770T by a modest margin: 1314 versus 1286. Both processors sit at the 35th percentile among all CPUs in the database. The i7's nearest rivals cluster within 0.5% of its average, and the i5's nearest rivals cluster within 0.6%. Neither chip dramatically outperforms its direct peers.

For anyone choosing between these two, the decision hinges on workload. The i7-3770T offers better multi-threaded rendering performance, a lower 45 W TDP, and superior integrated graphics in the HD 4000. The i5-3570 offers substantially better Geekbench performance, particularly in single-core, and a higher base clock that benefits frequency-dependent applications.

The i5-3570 also carries the advantage of a recorded launch MSRP of $194, while the i7-3770T has no recorded launch price. The i5 is marked end-of-life, while the i7's production status is unrecorded.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3770T wins in Cinebench across the board. All three Cinebench versions (R15, R20, R23) show the i7 ahead by roughly 10% in both multi-core and single-core tests. This makes it the stronger choice for rendering workloads, 3D modeling, and any application that scales with thread count. Its 8 threads and 8 MB L3 cache provide the resources needed for these tasks. The 45 W TDP also makes it the more power-efficient option, which could matter in compact builds or systems with limited cooling.

The i5-3570 wins decisively in Geekbench, both multi-core and single-core. The 23.1% single-core advantage is particularly notable. This makes it the stronger choice for applications that depend on single-thread performance, such as older games, lightly threaded productivity software, or tasks where clock speed is the primary bottleneck. Its 3.40 GHz base clock and 3.80 GHz boost clock give it the frequency headroom that the i7-3770T lacks.

The overall average benchmark score slightly favors the i7-3770T, but the i5-3570's Geekbench wins are larger in magnitude than the i7's Cinebench wins. The i7's largest lead is 10.2%, while the i5's largest lead is 23.1%. This suggests that in workloads aligned with Geekbench's test methodology, the i5-3570 is the clearly superior part, while in Cinebench-aligned workloads, the i7's advantage is real but more modest.

The i5-3570's end-of-life status and recorded $194 launch MSRP provide practical context, while the i7-3770T's unrecorded price and production status leave its market position less defined. For users prioritizing rendering performance and power efficiency, the i7-3770T is the data-backed choice. For users prioritizing single-thread responsiveness and raw clock speed, the i5-3570 wins on the recorded evidence.