Intel Core i5-3570T vs Intel Core i7-2860QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between these two processors. In the Cinebench suite, the Intel Core i7-2860QM dominates every single test, while the Intel Core i5-3570T takes both Geekbench tests. The magnitude of the i7's victories is consistent and substantial. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i7 scores 390 against the i5's 331, a 15.1% advantage. That same pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7 posts 1626 versus 1383, a 14.9% lead. The i7 also leads in Cinebench R20 singlecore by 14.8%, scoring 229 against 195. Cinebench R23 multicore shows the i7 ahead by 15.0% with 3873 versus 3293, and R23 singlecore again shows a 14.8% gap, 546 versus 465.

The Geekbench results flip the script. The i5-3570T wins Geekbench multicore with 1705 against 1681, a modest 1.4% margin. In Geekbench singlecore, the i5 extends its lead to 3.6%, scoring 578 versus 558. These are narrow wins, but they are consistent across both Geekbench tests. The data shows that the i7's Cinebench dominance does not translate to Geekbench, where the newer Ivy Bridge architecture of the i5 appears to hold an advantage.

Across the seven head-to-head benchmarks, the i7-2860QM wins five and the i5-3570T wins two. However, the average benchmark score tells a slightly different story: the i5-3570T averages 1136, while the i7-2860QM averages 1120. The i5 sits at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, exactly matching the i7's percentile. The i5's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-2550K at an identical 1136 average score (0% delta), the Intel Xeon E5640 at 1137 (0.1% behind), and the AMD Athlon Silver PRO 3125GE at 1138 (0.2% behind). The i7's nearest rivals are the AMD Athlon 240GE at 1121 (0% delta), the Intel Xeon D-1518 at 1121, and the Intel Core i5-3550S at 1118. These rival comparisons place both chips in the same performance tier, despite the i7's clear Cinebench wins.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and manufacturing processes. The i5-3570T uses Ivy Bridge architecture on a 22 nm process node, while the i7-2860QM uses Sandy Bridge on a 32 nm node. The smaller process node gives the i5 a transistor count of 1,400 million on a 160 mm² die, compared to the i7's 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die. The i5 achieves higher transistor density despite its smaller physical size.

Both chips have four physical cores, but the i7 adds Hyper-Threading, bringing its thread count to eight versus the i5's four. The i7 also has higher clock speeds: a 2.50 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost, compared to the i5's 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost. The i7's extra threads and higher clocks explain its Cinebench advantage, where multithreaded rendering scales with thread count.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, but the i7 has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5 has 6 MB. This additional cache likely helps the i7 in workloads that reuse data frequently. Memory support is DDR3 dual-channel for both, with no ECC support on either chip. The i5 uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the database does not record PCIe information for the i7.

Integrated graphics also differ. The i5 carries Intel HD 2500, while the i7 has Intel HD 3000. The i7's integrated graphics is the older but higher-tier model. The i5 targets the desktop segment on Intel Socket 1155, while the i7 is a mobile part on Intel Socket G2 (988B). The i7 is marked end-of-life in the database, while the i5 has no recorded production status. Both chips have locked multipliers, so neither supports overclocking.

The release dates place the i7 first, launching on 2011-09-03, with the i5 following on 2012-04-28. The i5's later launch date aligns with its newer Ivy Bridge architecture. The i7's part number is SR02X, and the i5's is SR0P1.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward conclusion for most workloads. The Intel Core i7-2860QM is the stronger processor for multithreaded rendering, as shown by its consistent 14.8% to 15.1% leads across all four Cinebench tests. The i7's eight threads and higher clock speeds deliver measurable gains in applications that scale with thread count. Anyone running Cinebench-style workloads should choose the i7 based on these results.

The Intel Core i5-3570T wins the Geekbench tests, but by much smaller margins. Its 1.4% multicore lead and 3.6% singlecore lead in Geekbench indicate a real but modest advantage in that specific benchmark. The i5's newer 22 nm Ivy Bridge architecture appears to give it better per-clock efficiency, which shows up in Geekbench's workload mix. However, the i5 cannot overcome the i7's thread and clock advantages in Cinebench.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1136 for the i5 versus 1120 for the i7. Both sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs. This suggests that for general-purpose use, the two chips perform at a similar level overall, with the differences depending heavily on the specific application. The i7's five wins out of seven head-to-head tests give it the edge in raw benchmark count, but the i5's higher average score and Geekbench victories prevent a total sweep.

The choice depends on workload. For video rendering, 3D modeling, or any task that uses more than four threads, the i7-2860QM is the data-backed pick. For tasks that favor Geekbench's specific patterns, the i5-3570T holds a slight edge. The i7 also benefits from 8 MB of L3 cache versus 6 MB, which can help in cache-sensitive applications. The i5 counters with a smaller 22 nm process, which typically means better power efficiency per unit of work, though both chips have the same 45 W TDP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM scores 3873 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core i5-3570T scores 3293. The i7 leads by 15.0%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-3570T win any benchmarks against the i7-2860QM?

A: Yes. The i5 wins Geekbench multicore with 1705 versus 1681 (a 1.4% lead) and Geekbench singlecore with 578 versus 558 (a 3.6% lead).

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each CPU?

A: Both have 4 cores. The i5-3570T has 4 threads, while the i7-2860QM has 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading.

Q: How do the clock speeds compare?

A: The i5-3570T has a 2.30 GHz base clock and 3.30 GHz boost. The i7-2860QM has a 2.50 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-2860QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-3570T has 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

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

A: The i5-3570T averages 1136 across all recorded benchmarks. The i7-2860QM averages 1120. Both sit at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-2860QM is the clear winner in rendering workloads. The Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore results all show the i7 ahead by roughly 15%, which is a substantial margin in CPU-bound rendering tasks. Its eight threads allow it to distribute work more effectively than the i5's four threads. The i7's higher clock speeds, 2.50 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost, also contribute to its Cinebench dominance. The i7's 8 MB L3 cache versus 6 MB on the i5 provides additional headroom for data-heavy workloads. The i7 wins five of the seven head-to-head benchmark tests, making it the more versatile choice for users who prioritize multithreaded performance.

The Intel Core i5-3570T wins in Geekbench, both singlecore and multicore. Its 3.6% singlecore lead and 1.4% multicore lead are not large, but they are consistent. The i5's 22 nm Ivy Bridge architecture gives it a transistor density advantage: 1,400 million transistors on 160 mm², compared to the i7's 1,160 million on 216 mm². This newer architecture likely explains the i5's better Geekbench efficiency. The i5 also has a higher average benchmark score of 1136 versus 1120, meaning that across all recorded tests, the i5 edges out the i7. The i5's desktop socket, Intel Socket 1155, and PCIe Gen 3 support make it the better fit for desktop systems that need modern connectivity.

For users deciding between these two, the i7-2860QM is the pick for heavy multithreaded rendering and content creation. The i5-3570T is the pick for users who value the newer architecture, Geekbench performance, and a slightly higher overall average score. Neither chip offers overclocking, as both have locked multipliers. Both run at 45 W TDP, so power consumption is equal on paper. The i7's end-of-life production status may matter for long-term availability, but the recorded performance data does not penalize it for that. The two chips are close in overall terms, with the i7 holding a clear edge in Cinebench and the i5 holding a smaller edge in Geekbench and average score.