Intel Core i5-3570S vs Intel Core i7-3635QM Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3635QM and Intel Core i5-3570S are two Ivy Bridge parts separated by market segment and thread count, yet their benchmark averages land them as near-identical rivals. The data shows the i7-3635QM wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, but the i5-3570S delivers a decisive single-core Geekbench victory. The i7-3635QM is the choice for multi-threaded mobile workloads, while the i5-3570S suits desktop users prioritizing raw single-thread speed. Neither part escapes the 33rd percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the lower-middle tier of the benchmark database.

The Verdict

The i7-3635QM is the pick for users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput in a mobile chassis. Its four cores and eight threads give it a clear structural advantage in threaded workloads, and it wins every Cinebench test in the head-to-head comparison. The i5-3570S, by contrast, is the desktop part for those who value single-core responsiveness. Its Geekbench single-core score of 632 versus 532 for the i7-3635QM is a 15.8% margin that cannot be ignored.

Average benchmark scores tell a story of near-parity: the i7-3635QM averages 1170, while the i5-3570S averages 1169, a 0.1% difference. That statistical tie is reflected in their percentileVsAllCpus scores, both at 33. The deciding factor is workload type. The i7-3635QM leads in Cinebench R23 multi-core with 4057 against 3991 (1.7% ahead), but the i5-3570S counters with a 1793 Geekbench multi-core score, edging out the i7's 1790 by 0.2%.

For a laptop user running rendering or compilation tasks, the i7-3635QM's extra threads justify its selection. For a desktop user who spends more time in lightly threaded applications, the i5-3570S offers superior single-core performance. The data does not support a universal winner; it supports a segmentation by use case. The i5-3570S also boasts a higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.40 GHz on the i7-3635QM, which explains its single-core advantage despite having half the threads.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the same Ivy Bridge architecture and 22 nm process node, with Intel serving as the foundry for each. The core counts are identical at four, but the i7-3635QM doubles the thread count to eight via Hyper-Threading, while the i5-3570S operates with four threads. This is the single most important architectural divergence, as it directly impacts multi-threaded benchmark outcomes.

Cache configurations are identical in structure: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. The die sizes differ, with the i7-3635QM measuring 160 mm² and the i5-3570S at 133 mm². Transistor counts are listed for the i7-3635QM at 1,480 million, while the i5-3570S has no transistor figure in the data. Both support dual-channel memory, and neither supports ECC memory.

Integrated graphics differ: the i7-3635QM carries Intel HD 4000, while the i5-3570S uses Intel HD 2500. The i5-3570S explicitly supports DDR3 memory and features PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i7-3635QM has no memory support or PCIe details listed. The sockets are incompatible—Intel BGA 1224 for the mobile i7-3635QM versus Intel Socket 1155 for the desktop i5-3570S—and the market segments reflect that: Mobile for the former, Desktop for the latter.

Neither part has an unlocked multiplier, and neither has a launch MSRP in the data. The release dates are close, with the i5-3570S appearing on 2012-05-31 and the i7-3635QM on 2012-08-31. The i5-3570S carries a part number of SR0T9, while the i7-3635QM has none listed.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-3635QM dominates the Cinebench suite, winning all six tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 408 against 402, a 1.5% lead. The single-core R15 test shows 57 versus 56, a 1.8% margin. R20 multi-core sees 1703 versus 1676 (1.6% ahead), and R20 single-core is 240 versus 236 (1.7% ahead). R23 multi-core gives 4057 versus 3991 (1.7% ahead), while R23 single-core is 572 versus 563 (1.6% ahead). These margins are consistent, ranging from 1.5% to 1.8%, indicating a stable advantage for the i7-3635QM across Cinebench's various versions and workloads.

The i5-3570S strikes back in Geekbench. Its multi-core score of 1793 narrowly beats the i7-3635QM's 1790, a 0.2% difference that is essentially noise. The single-core test is where the i5-3570S lands a decisive blow: 632 versus 532, a 15.8% advantage. This is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head dataset, far exceeding any Cinebench margin. The i5-3570S's higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz, compared to 3.40 GHz on the i7-3635QM, likely drives this result.

The win tally is 6-2 in favor of the i7-3635QM, but the magnitude of the i5-3570S's Geekbench single-core win matters more than the count. A 15.8% gap in single-core performance is substantial, while the i7-3635QM's Cinebench wins all sit below 2%. For applications that rely on single-threaded performance, the i5-3570S is clearly superior. For multi-threaded render workloads, the i7-3635QM's edge, while smaller, is consistent across every Cinebench iteration.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Threads: 8 (i7-3635QM) vs 4 (i5-3570S)
• Base Clock: 2.40 GHz (i7-3635QM) vs 3.10 GHz (i5-3570S)
• Boost Clock: 3.40 GHz (i7-3635QM) vs 3.80 GHz (i5-3570S)
• TDP: 45 W (i7-3635QM) vs 65 W (i5-3570S)
• Socket: Intel BGA 1224 (i7-3635QM) vs Intel Socket 1155 (i5-3570S)
• Die Size: 160 mm² (i7-3635QM) vs 133 mm² (i5-3570S)
• Transistors: 1,480 million (i7-3635QM) vs not listed (i5-3570S)
• Integrated Graphics: Intel HD 4000 (i7-3635QM) vs Intel HD 2500 (i5-3570S)
• Market Segment: Mobile (i7-3635QM) vs Desktop (i5-3570S)
• Memory Support: not listed (i7-3635QM) vs DDR3 (i5-3570S)
• PCIe: not listed (i7-3635QM) vs Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) (i5-3570S)
• Part Number: not listed (i7-3635QM) vs SR0T9 (i5-3570S)
• Release Date: 2012-08-31 (i7-3635QM) vs 2012-05-31 (i5-3570S)

Identical specifications include cores (4), L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), L3 cache (6 MB shared), architecture (Ivy Bridge), process node (22 nm), memory bus (Dual-channel), ECC memory support (false), and multiplier lock (both locked).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher thread count?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM has 8 threads, double the 4 threads found on the Intel Core i5-3570S, despite both having 4 cores.

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

A: The i5-3570S scores 632 versus the i7-3635QM's 532, a 15.8% advantage. This is the largest performance gap in any head-to-head benchmark between the two.

Q: Does the i7-3635QM win any benchmark by a significant margin?

A: No. Its largest win is 1.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core, with all other Cinebench wins falling between 1.5% and 1.7%. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 1790 actually loses to the i5-3570S's 1793.

Q: Are these processors on the same socket?

A: No. The i7-3635QM uses Intel BGA 1224, while the i5-3570S uses Intel Socket 1155. They are not interchangeable.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i7-3635QM has a 45 W TDP, while the i5-3570S has a 65 W TDP. The mobile i7 part consumes less power despite having more threads.

Q: Which integrated graphics solution does each processor use?

A: The i7-3635QM features Intel HD 4000, while the i5-3570S ships with Intel HD 2500. The i7's integrated graphics are the higher-tier option of the two.