Intel Core i5-3570T vs Intel Core i7-3612QM Comparison

The Intel Core i5-3570T and Intel Core i7-3612QM are both 22 nm Ivy Bridge parts released on the same day, yet they target different ends of the computing spectrum: one is a desktop chip, the other a mobile processor. The benchmark data reveals a fascinating split, where the i7 wins the majority of the head-to-head matchups, but the i5 counters with decisive victories in Geekbench tests. This analysis breaks down the numbers across seven benchmark comparisons, with the Intel Core i7-3612QM taking five wins and the Intel Core i5-3570T taking two.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the i7-3612QM's dominance across all Cinebench workloads. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7 scores 397 against the i5's 331, a delta of -16.6% that places the i7 firmly ahead. That advantage carries through every Cinebench iteration: in R20 multi-core, the i7 posts 1656 versus 1383, a -16.5% gap; in R23 multi-core, the i7 hits 3944 while the i5 manages 3293, again -16.5%. The single-core Cinebench results tell the same story, with the i7 leading by -16.3% in R20 (233 vs. 195) and -16.4% in R23 (556 vs. 465). These are consistent, double-digit margins that suggest the i7's extra threads are not the only factor at play — its per-core performance in Cinebench is also superior.

However, the i5-3570T strikes back hard in the Geekbench suite. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5 edges out the i7 with a score of 1705 against 1691, a slim 0.8% margin that flips the script. The single-core Geekbench result is even more decisive: the i5 scores 578, while the i7 trails at 501, giving the i5 a commanding 15.4% lead. This is a massive swing, especially considering that the i5 has a higher base clock (2.30 GHz vs. 2.10 GHz) and boost clock (3.30 GHz vs. 3.10 GHz), but the i7 has Hyper-Threading (8 threads vs. 4). The Geekbench results indicate that the i5's architecture is more efficient at handling single-threaded workloads, likely due to its higher clock speeds without the thermal constraints of a mobile chassis.

Looking at the broader picture, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the i5-3570T averages 1136, while the i7-3612QM averages 1129. Both processors sit at the 32nd percentile among all CPUs, meaning they are statistically equivalent in overall performance. The nearest rivals for the i5 include the Intel Core i5-2550K (delta 0%) and the Intel Xeon E5640 (delta -0.1%), while the i7's closest competitors are the Intel Core i5-4690T (delta 0%) and the Intel Core i7-2720QM (delta 0.1%). These figures reinforce that despite the benchmark swings, the two chips land in the same performance tier.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-3612QM is the clear winner for multi-threaded productivity tasks. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 3944 is 19.8% higher than the i5's 3293, which translates to faster rendering in 3D applications, video encoding, and any workload that scales with thread count. The i7's 8 threads versus the i5's 4 threads give it a structural advantage in heavily parallelized software. This is also reflected in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the i7's 397 score outpaces the i5's 331 by 19.9%. For users running virtual machines, compiling code, or batch-processing images, the i7 is the stronger choice.

The i5-3570T wins in single-threaded performance, as evidenced by its Geekbench single-core score of 578, which is 15.4% ahead of the i7's 501. This advantage matters for legacy applications, poorly optimized games, and everyday desktop responsiveness where a single core does most of the work. The i5 also holds a narrow lead in Geekbench multi-core (1705 vs. 1691), which is surprising given the i7's thread advantage. This suggests that the i5's higher clock speeds (2.30 GHz base, 3.30 GHz boost) allow it to keep up in lighter multi-threaded scenarios where the i7's lower clocks (2.10 GHz base, 3.10 GHz boost) become a bottleneck.

For gaming, the i5-3570T is the better pick due to its Geekbench single-core lead, but the margin is not enormous. For content creation, the i7-3612QM is the obvious winner, as the Cinebench multi-core deltas of -16.5% to -16.6% are substantial. The i7 is also more power-efficient on paper, with a 35 W TDP versus the i5's 45 W TDP, making it the better fit for laptops where thermals and battery life are critical.

Architecture Differences

Both processors are built on Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture, fabricated on a 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry. They share the same transistor count of 1,400 million and the same die size of 160 mm². The cache hierarchy is identical: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. This means the fundamental silicon design is the same — the differences come down to how Intel configured the chips for their respective markets.

The key architectural divergence lies in threading. The i5-3570T has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning it lacks Hyper-Threading, while the i7-3612QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, enabling simultaneous multi-threading. This is the single most important architectural difference, as it directly explains the i7's Cinebench multi-core wins. The i7 also integrates a more capable GPU: the Intel HD 4000, compared to the Intel HD 2500 in the i5. While neither is a gaming powerhouse, the HD 4000 offers better integrated graphics performance for media playback and light 3D workloads.

The memory support differs as well. The i5-3570T supports DDR3 memory, while the i7-3612QM's memory support field is null in the data, though both use a dual-channel memory bus. The i5 also supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i7's PCIe field is null, indicating that the mobile chip may have different PCIe configurations that are not specified in the data. Both chips lack ECC memory support and have locked multipliers, so overclocking is not possible on either.

Specification Differences

The most obvious specification gap is the socket. The i5-3570T uses Intel Socket 1155, a desktop platform, while the i7-3612QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), a mobile socket. This makes them physically incompatible — you cannot swap one for the other without changing the motherboard. The market segments reflect this: the i5 is a Desktop part, while the i7 is a Mobile part.

Clock speeds differ slightly, with the i5 running at 2.30 GHz base and 3.30 GHz boost, versus the i7's 2.10 GHz base and 3.10 GHz boost. The i5 is 0.20 GHz faster in both modes. The TDP is another major split: the i5 draws 45 W, while the i7 is more efficient at 35 W. This 10 W difference is significant for mobile users, as it allows the i7 to fit into thinner laptops with smaller cooling solutions. The integrated graphics differ (HD 2500 vs. HD 4000), and the part numbers are distinct (SR0P1 for the i5, SR0MQ for the i7). Both chips share the same generation (Core i5 and Core i7, both Ivy Bridge) and the same release date, but the i5 has no memory support field listed beyond DDR3, while the i7's memory support is null. The i5 has a PCIe Gen 3, 16-lane configuration, while the i7's PCIe field is null.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i7-3612QM wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3944 versus the i5-3570T's 3293, a -16.5% delta. The i7 also wins Cinebench R15 multi-core (397 vs. 331) and R20 multi-core (1656 vs. 1383).

Q: Does the i5-3570T have any advantages over the i7-3612QM?

A: Yes. The i5-3570T wins Geekbench single-core with a score of 578, which is 15.4% higher than the i7's 501. It also wins Geekbench multi-core narrowly, scoring 1705 versus the i7's 1691, a 0.8% margin.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare between the two?

A: Both have 4 physical cores, but the i7-3612QM has 8 threads due to Hyper-Threading, while the i5-3570T has 4 threads. This gives the i7 a significant edge in multi-threaded workloads.

Q: Are these processors from the same architecture and process node?

A: Yes, both are based on the Ivy Bridge architecture, use a 22 nm process node, have 1,400 million transistors, and a die size of 160 mm². They also share identical cache configurations: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The i5-3570T has a TDP of 45 W, while the i7-3612QM has a lower TDP of 35 W. This makes the i7 more suitable for mobile devices where power consumption and heat dissipation are critical.

Q: Which processor is better for single-threaded applications?

A: The i5-3570T is better for single-threaded applications, as its Geekbench single-core score of 578 outperforms the i7-3612QM's 501 by 15.4%. The i5's higher clock speeds (2.30 GHz base, 3.30 GHz boost) contribute to this lead.