CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-6500 and Intel Core i5-4570 are both quad-core desktop processors, but they represent two distinct generations of Intel's mainstream lineup. The i5-6500 is a Skylake part on Socket 1151, while the i5-4570 is a Haswell part on Socket 1150. Both CPUs share the same 3.20 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost clock, and both have four cores and four threads. However, the benchmark data reveals a clear generational gap, with the newer i5-6500 winning 16 of 19 head-to-head tests, though not without a few notable exceptions where the older chip pushes back.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most consistent story in this comparison is the i5-6500's advantage in rendering and single-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-6500 scores 479 against the i5-4570's 447, a 7.2% lead. That same 7.2% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore (1999 vs 1865) and Cinebench R23 multicore (4760 vs 4442). Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern: R15 shows 67 vs 63 (6.3% lead), R20 shows 282 vs 263 (7.2%), and R23 shows 672 vs 627 (7.2%). These are not marginal differences; the Skylake chip is consistently faster in CPU-bound rendering tasks across every version of the benchmark.

Geekbench multicore is a perfect tie at 3118 for both processors, but Geekbench singlecore gives the i5-6500 the edge at 1099 vs 1041, a 5.6% improvement. In Passmark's multithread test, the i5-6500 scores 5604 versus 5238, a 7% win. The single-thread Passmark test shows a smaller but still positive 3% lead (2093 vs 2033). The i5-6500 also wins in Passmark physics by 11.9% (442 vs 395), floating point math by 5.9% (12391 vs 11706), and extended instructions by 9.9% (6549 vs 5961).

The biggest single win for the i5-6500 comes in Passmark data encryption, where it scores 1678 against the i5-4570's 1321, a commanding 27% advantage. Data compression is closer, with the i5-6500 ahead by only 2% (76510 vs 75010). These results paint a picture of a newer architecture that is broadly more efficient across a wide range of workloads, from rendering to encryption.

However, the i5-4570 is not without its own victories. The most striking is in Passmark find prime numbers, where the older chip scores 31 versus the i5-6500's 27, a 12.9% win for Haswell. This is a highly specific workload that involves heavy integer math and memory access patterns, and the i5-4570 clearly handles it better. In Passmark integer math, the i5-4570 also wins, scoring 15415 against 14585, a 5.4% lead. Finally, in Passmark random string sorting, the i5-4570 takes a 6.4% win (9992 vs 9357). These three wins suggest that in certain integer-heavy or sorting tasks, the older architecture's design is still competitive.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-6500 is the clear choice for any workload that benefits from newer instruction sets and higher per-clock efficiency. This includes video rendering, 3D modeling, and general productivity applications that use Cinebench-style workloads. Its 7.2% lead across all Cinebench versions is a strong indicator of its superiority in multi-threaded rendering tasks. The 27% advantage in data encryption makes it the better pick for any task involving encryption or hashing, and the 11.9% lead in physics simulations suggests it handles game physics calculations more effectively. For users who prioritize single-thread performance, the i5-6500 is also ahead in every single-core test, from Cinebench to Geekbench to Passmark.

The i5-4570, despite its age, holds its own in specific integer-heavy tasks. The 12.9% win in prime number finding and 5.4% win in integer math indicate that for certain computational workloads, the Haswell architecture is not obsolete. Random string sorting, where it leads by 6.4%, is another niche where it outperforms the newer chip. These wins are narrow and workload-specific, but they mean the i5-4570 is not a complete pushover. For a user running a legacy application that is heavily optimized for older integer instruction paths, the i5-4570 might actually be the better choice. However, these are exceptions rather than the rule; the i5-6500 wins the overwhelming majority of tests.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core rendering?

A: The Intel Core i5-6500 wins all multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 479 vs 447 in R15, 1999 vs 1865 in R20, and 4760 vs 4442 in R23, a consistent 7.2% lead in each case.

Q: Is there any benchmark where the i5-4570 wins?

A: Yes, the i5-4570 wins three tests: Passmark find prime numbers (31 vs 27, a 12.9% lead), Passmark integer math (15415 vs 14585, a 5.4% lead), and Passmark random string sorting (9992 vs 9357, a 6.4% lead). Geekbench multicore is a tie at 3118.

Q: How do the two CPUs compare in single-threaded performance?

A: The i5-6500 is ahead in every single-thread test. In Cinebench R23 singlecore it scores 672 vs 627, a 7.2% lead. Geekbench singlecore shows 1099 vs 1041 (5.6% lead), and Passmark single thread shows 2093 vs 2033 (3% lead).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest delta is in Passmark data encryption, where the i5-6500 leads by 27%, scoring 1678 against the i5-4570's 1321.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same core and thread count?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 4 threads. They also share the same 3.20 GHz base clock and 3.60 GHz boost clock.

Q: Are these CPUs considered equivalent in overall performance?

A: No. The i5-6500 has an average benchmark score of 7569, while the i5-4570 averages 7421. The i5-6500 wins 16 out of 19 head-to-head tests.

Specification Differences

The most immediate difference is the socket. The i5-6500 uses Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-4570 uses Intel Socket 1150. This means they are not interchangeable in a motherboard; a board built for one will not accept the other. The i5-6500 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i5-4570 has a higher TDP of 84 watts. This makes the i5-6500 more power-efficient, which is notable given its performance advantage.

Memory support also differs fundamentally. The i5-6500 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i5-4570 supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus, and its memory bandwidth is not listed in the data. This is a significant platform-level difference, as DDR4 offers higher bandwidth and is the newer standard. The integrated graphics differ as well: the i5-6500 has HD Graphics 530, while the i5-4570 has Intel HD 4600.

The PCIe configuration is another differentiator. The i5-6500 lists "Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)", while the i5-4570 simply lists "Gen 3" without specifying lane count. Both have a die size of 177 mm², and both lack ECC memory support and an unlocked multiplier. Finally, the release dates are different, with the i5-4570 released in 2013 and the i5-6500 in 2015. The i5-6500 is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-4570's production status is not specified.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap is the root of the performance differences. The i5-6500 is built on Skylake architecture using a 14 nm process node, while the i5-4570 is Haswell on a 22 nm node. The smaller process node allows for better transistor density and power efficiency, which explains the lower TDP of the i5-6500 despite similar clock speeds.

The i5-4570's transistor count is listed at 1,400 million, while the i5-6500's is not provided. Both have the same cache hierarchy: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The foundry is Intel for both. The i5-6500 is part of the Core i5 (Skylake) generation, while the i5-4570 is part of the Core i5 (Haswell) generation. The part numbers differ (SR2L6 for the i5-6500, SR14E for the i5-4570), confirming they are distinct silicon designs.

The architecture differences manifest in the benchmark results. The 14 nm Skylake design delivers better instruction-per-clock performance, which is why the i5-6500 leads in most tests despite identical clocks. The 27% lead in encryption is likely due to newer AES-NI instructions in Skylake, while the 7.2% lead in Cinebench reflects overall IPC improvements. The i5-4570's wins in integer math and prime number finding are interesting and may relate to specific execution unit configurations in the Haswell design, but they are the exception rather than the rule.

The Verdict

The data is clear: the Intel Core i5-6500 is the faster processor in the vast majority of workloads. It wins 16 of 19 head-to-head benchmarks, with a 7.2% lead across all Cinebench versions and a massive 27% lead in data encryption. Its newer 14 nm Skylake architecture delivers better performance per clock, and its lower 65-watt TDP makes it a more efficient choice. For any user building a system from scratch or upgrading from an older platform, the i5-6500 is the obvious pick. It offers better single-thread performance, better multi-thread performance in rendering, and superior power efficiency. The only caveat is platform compatibility; it requires a Socket 1151 board and DDR4 memory.

The Intel Core i5-4570 is not without merit. Its wins in integer math, prime number finding, and random string sorting show that it can still handle specific computational tasks very well. For a user who owns a Socket 1150 board and DDR3 memory, and who runs legacy software that is heavily optimized for those integer workloads, the i5-4570 might be a sufficient and cost-effective option. However, it is slower in nearly every general-purpose test and has a higher TDP. The Geekbench multicore tie at 3118 is the only point where the two are truly equal.

Ultimately, the choice depends on the platform and the workload. For a new build or a system upgrade where DDR4 and Socket 1151 are viable, the i5-6500 is the better processor in almost every measurable way. For an existing Socket 1150 system that needs a drop-in replacement and where the user's primary applications are integer-heavy, the i5-4570 still has a role to play. But if you are choosing between the two for a new system, the benchmark data says to pick the i5-6500 without hesitation.