Intel Core i5-3570K vs Intel Core i5-4460S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data splits this comparison into two very distinct stories. In Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i5-3570K consistently comes out ahead, while in Geekbench tests, the Intel Core i5-4460S takes a commanding lead. Across the eight recorded benchmark runs, the i5-3570K wins six, and the i5-4460S wins two. The margins, however, are not symmetrical.

Starting with Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3570K scores 425 versus the i5-4460S's 398, a 6.4% advantage. The single-core R15 result is similar: 60 versus 56, a 6.7% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core test shows the i5-3570K at 1772 against 1661 for the i5-4460S, which is a 6.3% difference. The single-core R20 run has the i5-3570K at 250 and the i5-4460S at 234, again a 6.4% margin. Cinebench R23 multi-core continues the trend: 4221 versus 3955, a 6.3% edge for the i5-3570K. The R23 single-core result is 596 versus 558, a 6.4% gap. These Cinebench results are remarkably consistent, with the i5-3570K holding a steady 6.3% to 6.7% lead across all six tests.

The Geekbench results flip the picture entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-4460S scores 2750 against 2245 for the i5-3570K, which is a 22.5% advantage. The Geekbench single-core test shows an even larger gap: 1026 versus 776, a 32.2% lead for the i5-4460S. These are substantial margins, far exceeding the Cinebench deltas.

When looking at the overall average benchmark scores, the two CPUs are much closer than the individual test splits suggest. The i5-4460S has an average benchmark score of 1330, while the i5-3570K sits at 1293. Both processors land in the 35th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i5-4460S's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i5-2500K at 1329 (a 0.1% difference) and the Intel Core i5-760 at 1337 (a -0.5% difference). The i5-3570K's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-3630QM at 1289 (a 0.3% difference) and the Intel Core i5-4670R at 1286 (a 0.5% difference).

The key takeaway from the head-to-head data is that the i5-3570K is the stronger performer in rendering-style workloads as measured by Cinebench, while the i5-4460S dominates in the Geekbench suite, which tends to emphasize different aspects of CPU behavior. The Cinebench wins are narrow but consistent; the Geekbench wins are wide and decisive.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice depending on workload. For users running Cinebench-style rendering tasks, the Intel Core i5-3570K is the better option. It wins every Cinebench test in this comparison, with a 6.3% to 6.7% margin across R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core runs. That consistency across three generations of the Cinebench benchmark suggests a real, repeatable advantage in that type of workload.

For users whose workloads align more closely with Geekbench, the Intel Core i5-4460S is the decisive winner. The 22.5% multi-core and 32.2% single-core advantages are significant enough to change the calculus for general-purpose computing, everyday applications, and lighter multithreaded tasks. The i5-4460S also has a higher average benchmark score overall, 1330 versus 1293, even though it loses most of the individual tests.

One practical consideration from the data: the i5-3570K has an unlocked multiplier, which means it can be overclocked. The i5-4460S does not have an unlocked multiplier. The recorded benchmarks reflect stock performance, so the i5-3570K's overclocking headroom could widen its already existing Cinebench lead in real-world use. However, the data provided does not include any overclocked results.

The i5-4460S is the safer pick for general desktop use based on Geekbench scores and its higher average benchmark score. The i5-3570K is the pick for users who prioritize rendering performance and have the ability to push the unlocked multiplier. Both are end-of-life desktop processors, so platform availability and motherboard compatibility should guide the final decision, not just raw benchmark numbers.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins more benchmark tests in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570K wins six of the eight recorded benchmarks. The Intel Core i5-4460S wins two. All six Cinebench tests go to the i5-3570K, while both Geekbench tests go to the i5-4460S.

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

A: The largest margin is in Geekbench single-core, where the Intel Core i5-4460S scores 1026 versus 776 for the i5-3570K, a 32.2% difference. The next largest is Geekbench multi-core at 22.5% in favor of the i5-4460S.

Q: Are the Cinebench wins for the i5-3570K consistent across all versions of the test?

A: Yes, the margins are tightly clustered. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-3570K wins by 6.4%. In R20 multi-core, it wins by 6.3%. In R23 multi-core, it wins by 6.3%. The single-core results are similarly consistent: 6.7% in R15, 6.4% in R20, and 6.4% in R23.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each CPU, and how do they compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-4460S has an average benchmark score of 1330. The Intel Core i5-3570K has an average benchmark score of 1293. The i5-4460S is 2.9% higher by this metric. Both CPUs sit at the 35th percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory type and bandwidth?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory.

Q: Which CPU has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570K has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel Core i5-4460S does not. The benchmark results in this comparison are stock scores and do not reflect any overclocking of the i5-3570K.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several specification areas, starting with the socket. The Intel Core i5-4460S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the Intel Core i5-3570K uses Intel Socket 1155. These are not interchangeable, so motherboard choice is a hard constraint. The i5-4460S has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The i5-3570K has a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i5-3570K runs at higher clocks across the board.

Thermal design power also differs. The i5-4460S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i5-3570K has a TDP of 77 watts. The i5-4460S is the more power-efficient part on paper. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-4460S has Intel HD 4600, while the i5-3570K has Intel HD 4000. The release dates are separate, with the i5-4460S releasing on 2014-05-10 and the i5-3570K releasing on 2012-04-28. The launch MSRP for the i5-4460S is $182, and the launch MSRP for the i5-3570K is $212. The i5-3570K has an unlocked multiplier; the i5-4460S does not. The part numbers are SR1QQ for the i5-4460S and SR0PM for the i5-3570K.

Die size is another differentiator. The i5-4460S has a die size of 177 mm², while the i5-3570K has a die size of 160 mm². Both are built on a 22 nm process node at Intel, and both have 1,400 million transistors. Cache configurations are identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3.

Architecture Differences

The architectural split is straightforward. The Intel Core i5-4460S is based on the Haswell architecture, while the Intel Core i5-3570K is based on Ivy Bridge. Both are built on a 22 nm process node at Intel with 1,400 million transistors, but the die sizes differ: Haswell comes in at 177 mm², while Ivy Bridge is 160 mm². Both have four cores and four threads, so the thread count is identical.

The cache hierarchy is the same on both: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The integrated graphics differ, with the i5-4460S featuring Intel HD 4600 and the i5-3570K featuring Intel HD 4000. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel mode with 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth. Both support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. Neither supports ECC memory.

The generation labels in the database reflect the architecture names: the i5-4460S is listed as Core i5 (Haswell), and the i5-3570K is listed as Core i5 (Ivy Bridge). The i5-3570K has an unlocked multiplier, which is a feature absent from the i5-4460S. The production status for both is end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3570K is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads. Across R15, R20, and R23, it beats the i5-4460S by 6.3% to 6.7% in both single-core and multi-core tests. That makes it the better choice for rendering tasks, media encoding, or any workload that scales with the type of performance Cinebench measures. The higher base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz likely contribute to these results, as does the unlocked multiplier, which allows for further overclocking beyond the stock numbers.

The Intel Core i5-4460S wins Geekbench by large margins: 22.5% in multi-core and 32.2% in single-core. It also has a higher average benchmark score overall, 1330 versus 1293. This suggests it is the better all-around processor for general desktop use, everyday applications, and tasks that Geekbench captures more accurately than Cinebench. The lower TDP of 65 watts versus 77 watts also makes it the more power-efficient option, which can matter for compact builds or systems with modest cooling. The newer Haswell architecture, despite a lower clock speed, delivers superior Geekbench performance.

For a user deciding between these two, the choice comes down to workload. If the primary use is rendering or heavily threaded compute that resembles Cinebench, the i5-3570K wins. If the use is general computing, web browsing, office applications, or anything that resembles Geekbench, the i5-4460S wins decisively. The platform sockets are different, so the decision likely hinges on which motherboard is available or already installed. Both CPUs are end-of-life, so the practical path forward is whatever used parts are on hand.