Intel Core i5-3570S vs Intel Core i7-3612QE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture. Across all six head-to-head tests, the Intel Core i5-3570S finishes ahead of the Intel Core i7-3612QE, though the margins are uniformly narrow. The largest advantage appears in the Cinebench R15 multicore test, where the i5-3570S scores 402 against the i7-3612QE's 399, a delta of 0.8%. This is the single biggest winning margin in the entire comparison.

The single-core results show an even tighter gap. In Cinebench R15 single-core, both processors record an identical score of 56, with the delta listed as 0%. The i5-3570S is still named the winner in the data, but the measured performance is indistinguishable. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i5-3570S posts 1676 in multicore versus 1666 for the i7-3612QE, a 0.6% lead. The single-core R20 result is 236 against 235, a 0.4% advantage for the desktop chip.

Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern. The i5-3570S scores 3991 in multicore, while the i7-3612QE reaches 3967, another 0.6% delta. In single-core R23, the numbers are 563 and 560 respectively, a 0.5% edge. No test in the database shows the i7-3612QE ahead. The win count stands at six for the i5-3570S and zero for the i7-3612QE, but the practical significance of these margins is minimal. A 0.8% difference in a rendering workload is well within run-to-run variance for most real-world applications.

The average benchmark scores tell a similar story. The i5-3570S carries an average score of 1169 across its recorded tests, placing it at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i7-3612QE averages 1147, also at the 33rd percentile. The nearest rivals for the i5-3570S include the Intel Core i7-2960XM at an identical 1169 average, and the AMD Opteron 6220 at 1168, a 0.1% gap. The i7-3612QE sits near the AMD Opteron 4284 and the Intel Core i7-2600S, both at 1146, again a 0.1% difference. These proximity values reinforce that both chips occupy the same performance tier, with the i5-3570S holding a slight but measurable edge.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570S wins all six recorded head-to-head tests. The i7-3612QE does not win any of them.

Q: How large is the performance gap in multicore workloads?

A: The largest multicore delta is 0.8% in Cinebench R15, where the i5-3570S scores 402 versus 399. In Cinebench R20 and R23, the deltas are 0.6% in both cases.

Q: Is there any test where the two processors perform identically?

A: Yes, in Cinebench R15 single-core, both chips record a score of 56, resulting in a 0% delta. The i5-3570S is still designated the winner in the database, but the measured output is equal.

Q: What are the average benchmark scores for each processor?

A: The i5-3570S has an average benchmark score of 1169, while the i7-3612QE averages 1147. Both sit at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs in the database.

Q: How do these processors compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The i5-3570S is within 0.2% of the Intel Core i5-3450, which scores 1166, and within 0.1% of the AMD Opteron 6220 at 1168. The i7-3612QE is within 0.2% of the Intel Core i5-4430 at 1149 and within 0.1% of the AMD Opteron 4284 at 1146.

Q: Does the i7-3612QE have any advantage in thread count?

A: The i7-3612QE supports 8 threads versus 4 threads on the i5-3570S, yet it still trails in every recorded benchmark. The multicore scores favor the i5-3570S despite its lower thread count.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split follows the benchmark data directly. The Intel Core i5-3570S wins in every measured category, so it is the stronger choice for Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 workloads, both single-core and multicore. Its highest relative advantage, 0.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore, suggests it handles short rendering bursts slightly better. The consistent 0.4% to 0.6% deltas across R20 and R23 indicate that the advantage persists across different rendering engine versions, not just one specific test.

The Intel Core i7-3612QE, despite losing all six head-to-head tests, is not without a rationale for selection. Its 35W TDP against 65W for the i5-3570S makes it the lower-power part, which matters in thermally constrained systems. The i7-3612QE also uses the BGA 1023 socket, a mobile platform, so it fits in compact or embedded designs where a desktop socket 1155 board is impractical. The 8 threads may help in scenarios not captured by the recorded Cinebench tests, but the database shows no benchmark where that translates into a win.

For users prioritizing raw measured performance, the i5-3570S is the clear pick. For those building around a mobile form factor or a strict thermal envelope, the i7-3612QE remains viable, but the performance trade-off is real. Every point of measured data favors the desktop part.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on several core specifications. The i5-3570S has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The i7-3612QE runs at 2.10 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. The i5-3570S carries a 65W TDP, while the i7-3612QE is rated at 35W. Sockets differ: the i5-3570S uses Intel Socket 1155, the i7-3612QE uses Intel BGA 1023. Thread counts also differ, with the i5-3570S at 4 threads and the i7-3612QE at 8 threads.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-3570S ships with Intel HD 2500, while the i7-3612QE includes Intel HD 4000. PCIe support is listed for the i5-3570S as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3612QE has no PCIe data recorded. Memory support shows DDR3 for the i5-3570S, with no memory type recorded for the i7-3612QE. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Neither supports ECC memory, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The release dates differ by about one month. The i7-3612QE was released on 2012-04-28, and the i5-3570S followed on 2012-05-31. Part numbers distinguish them: SR0T9 for the i5-3570S, SR0ND for the i7-3612QE. The i5-3570S targets the desktop market segment, while the i7-3612QE is a mobile part.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Ivy Bridge architecture and codename, built on Intel's 22 nm process node. The core count is identical at 4, and both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The shared L3 cache is 6 MB on both. The die size differs: the i5-3570S measures 133 mm², while the i7-3612QE is larger at 160 mm². Transistor count is recorded only for the i7-3612QE at 1,400 million.

The generation labels differ slightly, with the i5-3570S listed as Core i5 (Ivy Bridge) and the i7-3612QE as Core i7 (Ivy Bridge). Both are manufactured by Intel. The i7-3612QE's larger die size likely reflects the additional hyper-threading logic and the HD 4000 graphics engine, but the database does not provide a direct explanation. The cache topology is identical, so the architectural difference in measured performance comes down to clock speed, not cache capacity.

The process node is the same 22 nm for both, and the foundry is Intel in both cases. The i7-3612QE includes the HD 4000 integrated graphics, a step up from the HD 2500 in the i5-3570S. For users relying on the integrated GPU, the i7-3612QE has the advantage, though no GPU benchmarks are recorded in this comparison.

The Verdict

The data directs different buyers to different parts. The Intel Core i5-3570S is the higher-performing chip in every recorded benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 0% to 0.8%. Its higher base and boost clocks, 3.10 GHz and 3.80 GHz versus 2.10 GHz and 3.10 GHz, explain the edge. For anyone building a desktop system on socket 1155 and prioritizing rendering performance in Cinebench workloads, the i5-3570S is the straightforward recommendation. Its 65W TDP is higher than the i7-3612QE's 35W, but that is an acceptable trade for a desktop platform with more cooling headroom.

The Intel Core i7-3612QE is the part for a different context. It loses every benchmark, but it consumes nearly half the power and fits a mobile BGA 1023 socket. Its 8 threads do not translate into measured wins in this database, yet the thread count remains a specification difference worth noting for workloads outside the tested suite. The HD 4000 graphics also give it a functional advantage for systems relying on the integrated GPU. The i7-3612QE is not the faster processor, but it is the lower-power, mobile-oriented option.

Neither processor breaks out of the 33rd percentile of all CPUs in the database. The i5-3570S sits near the Intel Core i7-2960XM and the AMD Opteron 6220, while the i7-3612QE aligns with the AMD Opteron 4284 and the Intel Core i7-2600S. The performance class is mid-range for both. The deciding factor is platform: desktop users take the i5-3570S for the slight performance lead, mobile or embedded users take the i7-3612QE for the power envelope and socket compatibility. The benchmark data supports the i5-3570S as the faster chip, but the i7-3612QE remains the sensible pick where its 35W TDP and BGA 1023 form factor are required.