Intel Core i5-3570S vs Intel Core i7-2600S Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmark data leaves no ambiguity: the Intel Core i5-3570S wins every single head-to-head comparison against the Intel Core i7-2600S. Across eight separate tests spanning Cinebench R15, R20, R23, and Geekbench, the i5-3570S takes the top score in all of them. The i7-2600S does not secure a single victory in any measured workload.

The i5-3570S wins by narrow margins in most multi-threaded tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 402 against 396, a 1.5% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it posts 1676 versus 1651, again 1.5% ahead. The Cinebench R23 multi-core result shows 3991 against 3933, a 1.5% lead. Geekbench multi-core follows the same pattern: 1793 versus 1765, a 1.6% edge. These are consistent but modest wins in heavily threaded workloads.

The single-core results tell a similar story, though the margins are slightly larger in some cases. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 56 versus 55, a 1.8% advantage. Cinebench R20 single-core records 236 against 233, a 1.3% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core delivers 563 versus 555, a 1.4% edge. The standout result is Geekbench single-core, where the i5-3570S scores 632 against 578, a substantial 9.3% advantage. This is the largest performance gap in the entire comparison.

The i7-2600S does have a structural advantage in thread count, offering 8 threads against the i5's 4 threads. It also carries a larger 8 MB shared L3 cache versus 6 MB. Yet the recorded data shows these advantages do not translate into benchmark victories. The i5-3570S compensates with a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz versus 2.80 GHz, and both CPUs share the same 3.80 GHz boost clock. The newer Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process appears to offset the i7's extra threads and cache in these specific tests.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear recommendation: the Intel Core i5-3570S is the better performer in every measured category. It wins all eight head-to-head benchmarks, including both multi-core and single-core workloads. The i7-2600S, despite its additional threads and larger cache, cannot match the i5-3570S in any test recorded in the database.

For users prioritizing single-threaded performance, the i5-3570S is the obvious choice. The 9.3% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest delta in the entire comparison, indicating a meaningful advantage in lightly threaded applications. Even in multi-threaded scenarios where the i7's 8 threads should theoretically help, the i5-3570S still comes out ahead, albeit by smaller margins of 1.5% to 1.6%.

The i7-2600S does hold a production status of "End-of-life," while the i5-3570S has no such designation in the database. This suggests the i5-3570S may be a more viable long-term option for system builders. The i5-3570S also posts a higher average benchmark score of 1169 against 1146, and a higher percentile ranking of 33 versus 32.

The verdict is straightforward: choose the i5-3570S for better performance across the board. The i7-2600S offers no measured advantage in any benchmark, making it difficult to justify from a pure performance standpoint. The i5-3570S delivers superior results in both single-core and multi-core tests, with the single-core gap being particularly pronounced.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clean sweep for the i5-3570S, but the magnitude of the wins varies significantly by test. The most striking result is Geekbench single-core, where the i5-3570S scores 632 against 578, a 9.3% advantage. This is the only test where the delta exceeds 2%, and it represents a substantial performance gap in single-threaded workloads. For applications that rely heavily on single-core performance, this difference would be noticeable in real-world usage.

The multi-core tests all follow a similar pattern. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 402 versus 396, a 1.5% lead. Cinebench R20 multi-core records 1676 against 1651, also 1.5%. Cinebench R23 multi-core delivers 3991 versus 3933, again 1.5%. Geekbench multi-core posts 1793 against 1765, a 1.6% edge. These margins are consistent, suggesting the i5-3570S holds a small but reliable advantage in multi-threaded workloads despite having half the threads of the i7-2600S.

The single-core Cinebench results are similarly consistent. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 56 versus 55, a 1.8% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core records 236 against 233, a 1.3% edge. Cinebench R23 single-core posts 563 versus 555, a 1.4% advantage. These margins are smaller than the Geekbench single-core gap, but they all favor the i5-3570S.

The overall pattern is clear: the i5-3570S wins every test, with the Geekbench single-core result being the standout performance. The i7-2600S never comes within striking distance of a victory, and its largest deficit is the 9.3% gap in Geekbench single-core. The smallest deficit is 1.3% in Cinebench R20 single-core, which is still a win for the i5-3570S.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570S wins all four multi-core tests. It scores 402 versus 396 in Cinebench R15, 1676 versus 1651 in Cinebench R20, 3991 versus 3933 in Cinebench R23, and 1793 versus 1765 in Geekbench.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two CPUs?

A: The largest gap is in Geekbench single-core, where the i5-3570S scores 632 against 578, a 9.3% advantage. No other test shows a delta above 1.8%.

Q: Does the i7-2600S's extra threads help it win any benchmarks?

A: No. Despite having 8 threads versus 4, the i7-2600S loses all eight head-to-head benchmarks. The i5-3570S wins every multi-core test by margins of 1.5% to 1.6%.

Q: What are the architecture differences between the two CPUs?

A: The i5-3570S uses Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process, while the i7-2600S uses Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm process. The i5-3570S has a die size of 133 mm², while the i7-2600S has a die size of 216 mm².

Q: Which CPU has a higher base clock speed?

A: The i5-3570S has a base clock of 3.10 GHz, while the i7-2600S has a base clock of 2.80 GHz. Both CPUs share the same boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each CPU?

A: The i5-3570S has an average benchmark score of 1169, while the i7-2600S has an average score of 1146. The i5-3570S also ranks in the 33rd percentile, compared to the 32nd percentile for the i7-2600S.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different architectural generations. The i5-3570S is built on Ivy Bridge architecture, while the i7-2600S uses Sandy Bridge. This generational difference is reflected in the process node: the i5-3570S uses a 22 nm process, while the i7-2600S uses a 32 nm process. The smaller process node allows the i5-3570S to achieve a die size of 133 mm², compared to 216 mm² for the i7-2600S.

The transistor count also differs significantly. The i7-2600S contains 1,160 million transistors, while the i5-3570S does not have a recorded transistor count in the database. The larger die and higher transistor count of the i7-2600S reflect its older, less dense manufacturing process.

Cache configuration is another point of divergence. Both CPUs share the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core and the same L2 cache at 256 KB per core. However, the L3 cache differs: the i5-3570S has 6 MB shared, while the i7-2600S has 8 MB shared. This gives the i7-2600S a 2 MB advantage in L3 cache, which could theoretically benefit workloads that rely on large shared data sets.

The integrated graphics also differ. The i5-3570S features Intel HD 2500, while the i7-2600S features Intel HD 2000. Both CPUs support DDR3 memory with a dual-channel memory bus, and both use the Intel Socket 1155. Both also support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither supports ECC memory.

The i7-2600S is marked as "End-of-life" in the database, while the i5-3570S has no production status listed. This suggests the i7-2600S is no longer in active production, while the i5-3570S may still be available.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in several key specifications. The i5-3570S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-2600S has 4 cores and 8 threads. This means the i7-2600S supports Hyper-Threading, effectively doubling its thread count, while the i5-3570S does not.

Base clock speeds differ: the i5-3570S runs at 3.10 GHz, while the i7-2600S runs at 2.80 GHz. Both CPUs share the same boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i5-3570S's higher base clock gives it an advantage in sustained workloads that do not trigger boost behavior.

The process node is a significant difference: the i5-3570S uses 22 nm technology, while the i7-2600S uses 32 nm. This is reflected in the die size, with the i5-3570S at 133 mm² and the i7-2600S at 216 mm². The i7-2600S has a recorded transistor count of 1,160 million, while the i5-3570S does not have a recorded count.

L3 cache differs, with the i5-3570S offering 6 MB shared and the i7-2600S offering 8 MB shared. Both CPUs have the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core and the same L2 cache at 256 KB per core.

The integrated graphics differ: the i5-3570S has Intel HD 2500, while the i7-2600S has Intel HD 2000. Both CPUs support DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus, use the Intel Socket 1155, and support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The i7-2600S is marked as "End-of-life" in the database, while the i5-3570S has no production status listed. The i5-3570S has a part number of SR0T9, while the i7-2600S has a part number of SR00E. The i5-3570S was released on 2012-05-31, while the i7-2600S was released on 2011-01-08.