CPU Comparison

The Intel Core i5-7400 and the Intel Core i5-4570 are two quad-core desktop processors from different eras, and the benchmark data shows a clear, if modest, generational shift. The i5-7400, based on Kaby Lake, wins the vast majority of head-to-head tests, but the older Haswell chip manages to score surprising victories in a few specific workloads. Both CPUs sit at the 63rd percentile among all processors, and their average benchmark scores are separated by a razor-thin margin of just 0.6%, making this a closer contest than the architecture gap might suggest.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most decisive and consistent wins for the Intel Core i5-7400 come in the Cinebench suite, which is heavily reliant on raw CPU execution and IPC improvements. Across every Cinebench iteration, the i5-7400 leads by nearly identical margins. In Cinebench R15, it scores 469 versus 447 in multi-core (a 4.9% lead) and 66 versus 63 in single-core (a 4.8% lead). The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, with scores of 1956 against 1865 (4.9%) and 275 against 263 (4.6%), and again in Cinebench R23, where the i5-7400 posts 4658 versus 4442 in multi-core and 657 versus 627 in single-core. These results indicate a steady, roughly 5% performance advantage for the newer chip in rendering and 3D workload simulations, which is a meaningful improvement for tasks that scale with per-core efficiency.

The i5-7400 also dominates in PassMark's encryption and physics tests. Its data encryption score of 1611 is a massive 22% higher than the i5-4570's 1321, showing a significant leap in cryptographic workload handling. In the physics test, the i5-7400 scores 438 versus 395, a 10.9% advantage. These are the two largest percentage wins for the Kaby Lake part, suggesting that newer instruction sets and architectural tweaks provide substantial benefits in specialized compute tasks.

However, the i5-4570 is not without its own victories, and they are notable for their magnitude. The largest swing in the entire comparison is in Geekbench multi-core, where the i5-4570 scores 3118 against the i5-7400's 2740, a 12.1% win for the older chip. This is a surprising reversal, given the i5-7400's wins in other multi-threaded tests. The i5-4570 also takes the PassMark integer math test, scoring 15415 versus 14293 (a 7.3% lead), and the random string sorting test, scoring 9992 versus 9301 (a 6.9% lead). It also wins the find prime numbers test, 31 versus 27, a 12.9% margin. These wins suggest that the Haswell architecture retains an edge in specific integer-heavy and memory-latency-sensitive operations.

In the remaining tests, the i5-7400 edges ahead. It wins PassMark data compression (76268 vs 75010, a 1.7% lead), floating point math (12042 vs 11706, 2.9%), extended instructions (6452 vs 5961, 8.2%), and multi-threaded performance (5475 vs 5238, 4.5%). In single-threaded tests, the i5-7400 leads in PassMark single thread (2074 vs 2033, a 2% margin) and by a hair in Geekbench single-core (1043 vs 1041, 0.2%). Overall, the i5-7400 wins 15 of the 19 benchmark comparisons, but the i5-4570's four wins include some of the largest deltas in the dataset.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark results, the Intel Core i5-7400 is the better choice for most modern productivity and content creation tasks. Its consistent lead in all Cinebench tests, which are proxies for video rendering, 3D modeling, and CPU-based image processing, makes it the stronger pick for anyone running those applications. The 22% advantage in data encryption is also a clear win for tasks involving file encryption, VPNs, or secure data handling. Furthermore, its wins in PassMark multi-thread and physics tests indicate better overall responsiveness in gaming and general simulation workloads.

The Intel Core i5-4570, despite its age, shows specific strengths that could matter for certain users. Its 12.1% lead in Geekbench multi-core is difficult to ignore, as that benchmark is often used as a proxy for general system responsiveness and everyday multitasking. The 7.3% win in integer math suggests it handles arithmetic-heavy calculations, like those in spreadsheet processing or some database operations, more efficiently. The 6.9% win in random string sorting points to an advantage in text processing and sorting algorithms, which could be relevant for data manipulation scripts or log file analysis. The find prime numbers win, while niche, indicates a slight edge in pure integer looping tasks.

In practical terms, the i5-7400 is the better all-rounder for modern software that leverages newer instruction sets and higher IPC. The i5-4570's wins are concentrated in legacy or specific integer workloads, which are less common in everyday use but can make a difference in specialized applications. If you are upgrading from a Haswell system, the data shows the i5-7400 offers a modest but broad uplift, except in those specific cases where the i5-4570's architecture proves unexpectedly faster.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different nodes and designs. The Intel Core i5-7400 uses a 14 nm process from Intel, while the i5-4570 uses a 22 nm process. This node shrink is a primary driver of the i5-7400's efficiency and clock-for-clock performance gains. The i5-7400 is based on the Kaby Lake architecture, while the i5-4570 is based on the older Haswell architecture. This generational gap explains the IPC improvements seen in the Cinebench results.

Both CPUs have 4 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache configurations: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. However, the i5-4570 is physically larger, with a die size of 177 mm² and 1,400 million transistors, whereas the i5-7400 has no listed die size or transistor count, reflecting the more compact 14 nm manufacturing process. The i5-7400 also has a lower TDP of 65 watts compared to the i5-4570's 84 watts, meaning the newer chip delivers better performance while generating less heat.

Memory support is a major divergence. The i5-7400 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The i5-4570 supports older DDR3 memory, also dual-channel, but its memory bandwidth is not listed in the data. This means the i5-7400 has access to faster, more modern memory technology, which can impact overall system performance in memory-sensitive applications. Additionally, the i5-7400 uses the Intel Socket 1151, while the i5-4570 uses the older Intel Socket 1150, meaning they are not interchangeable on the same motherboard.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-7400 features an HD 630 iGPU, while the i5-4570 has an Intel HD 4600. While no benchmark scores are provided for these iGPUs, the newer HD 630 is generally associated with better media playback and light gaming capabilities, though this is not quantified in the data. The i5-7400 also lists 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes for the CPU, while the i5-4570 lists Gen 3 support without a specific lane count. Both CPUs are locked (multiplierUnlocked is false) and do not support ECC memory.

The Verdict

From the data, the Intel Core i5-7400 is the superior processor for the vast majority of use cases. It wins 15 of 19 benchmarks, and its victories are broadly distributed across rendering, encryption, physics, and single-threaded performance. The consistent 4.6% to 4.9% lead in Cinebench tests makes it the clear choice for anyone doing CPU-intensive creative work. Its lower TDP and support for DDR4 memory also make it the more modern and future-proof platform option, despite requiring a different motherboard.

However, the Intel Core i5-4570 should not be dismissed. Its 12.1% win in Geekbench multi-core is the single largest performance gap in this comparison, and its wins in integer math and string sorting show it still has muscle for specific tasks. If you are on a tight budget and already own a Socket 1150 motherboard with DDR3 RAM, the i5-4570 remains a viable option for general productivity, especially if your workload is heavy on integer calculations or text/data sorting. The data does not support paying a premium for the i5-7400 if your primary applications are those where the i5-4570 already wins.

For a new build, the choice is unambiguous: the i5-7400 is the better buy based on raw benchmark performance. For an upgrade path from an existing Haswell system, the i5-7400 offers a modest but real improvement in most areas, though the i5-4570's specific wins mean you should evaluate your own workload mix before switching platforms.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-7400 has an average benchmark score of 7469, while the Intel Core i5-4570 scores 7421, giving the i5-7400 a 0.6% advantage.

Q: How much faster is the i5-7400 in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The i5-7400 scores 4658 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 4.9% higher than the i5-4570's score of 4442.

Q: In which benchmark does the i5-4570 have its biggest win?

A: The i5-4570's biggest win is in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 3118 compared to the i5-7400's 2740, a 12.1% advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-7400 and the Intel Core i5-4570 have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the main difference in memory support?

A: The i5-7400 supports DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the i5-4570 supports DDR3 memory with no listed bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core i5-7400 has a TDP of 65 watts, which is lower than the Intel Core i5-4570's TDP of 84 watts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-7400 | Intel Core i5-4570 |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 84 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Kaby Lake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | Not listed | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 177 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 38.4 GB/s | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | HD 630 | Intel HD 4600 |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Release Date | 2017-01-02 | 2013-06-01 |

| Part Number | SR32W | SR14E |