Intel Core i5-4570 vs Intel Core i9-10980XE Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-10980XE dominates every recorded benchmark against the Intel Core i5-4570, with the largest margins appearing in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i9-10980XE scores 2734 against 447 for the i5-4570, a delta of 511.6%. The single-core R15 test tells a similar story: 385 versus 63, a 511.1% advantage. These are not incremental gains; the i9-10980XE delivers roughly six times the performance in these legacy rendering tests.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result shows 11394 for the i9-10980XE and 1865 for the i5-4570, a 510.9% difference. The single-core R20 score is 1608 against 263, a 511.4% gap. Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: multicore 27130 versus 4442 (510.8% delta), single-core 3830 versus 627 (510.8% delta). The consistency of these deltas across all Cinebench versions indicates that the performance ratio is stable regardless of the workload intensity, suggesting a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a test-specific quirk.

Geekbench results show a slightly different picture. The multicore score for the i9-10980XE is 14742, while the i5-4570 manages 3118, a 372.8% lead. The single-core Geekbench score narrows considerably: 1453 versus 1041, a 39.6% advantage. This is the closest margin in the entire dataset, and it highlights that single-threaded performance is far less lopsided than multi-threaded performance. The i9-10980XE still wins, but the i5-4570's older Haswell architecture retains respectable per-core efficiency in this particular test.

The i9-10980XE wins all eight head-to-head benchmarks. The i5-4570 records zero wins. For single-threaded workloads, the i9-10980XE is roughly 40% faster in Geekbench, but for multi-threaded workloads, the gap expands to over 370% in the same suite and over 510% in Cinebench. The data strongly indicates that the i9-10980XE is in a different performance class for parallel processing, while the i5-4570 remains competitive only in lightly threaded scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of Intel's design roadmap. The i9-10980XE uses the Cascade Lake architecture, built on a 14 nm process node, and belongs to the Core i9 Extreme X-Series 10th Gen family. It features 18 cores and 36 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. The i5-4570 uses the older Haswell architecture, fabricated on a 22 nm process node, with 4 cores and 4 threads, base clock 3.20 GHz, boost clock 3.60 GHz. The process node difference alone (14 nm versus 22 nm) explains part of the efficiency and frequency headroom advantage for the newer chip.

Caching structures differ substantially. The i9-10980XE has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1 MB of L2 cache per core, and a shared 24.75 MB L3 cache. The i5-4570 also has 64 KB L1 per core, but only 256 KB L2 per core and a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The larger per-core L2 and the vastly larger L3 pool on the i9-10980XE directly contribute to its superior multi-threaded scaling, as more working set can reside on-die.

Memory architecture is another major divider. The i9-10980XE supports DDR4 memory over a quad-channel bus, delivering 93.9 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The i5-4570 supports DDR3 over a dual-channel bus, with no recorded bandwidth figure. Quad-channel DDR4 versus dual-channel DDR3 represents a generational leap in memory throughput, which matters for data-intensive workloads. The i9-10980XE also offers PCIe Gen 3 with 48 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-4570 provides PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count specified.

The i9-10980XE has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU. The i5-4570 includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, making it a self-contained solution for basic display output. The i9-10980XE has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-4570 does not. The i9-10980XE carries a TDP of 165 watts, versus 84 watts for the i5-4570, reflecting the power cost of its additional cores and higher clocks. The i5-4570 has a recorded transistor count of 1,400 million and a die size of 177 mm², while the i9-10980XE has no such figures in the database.

The Verdict

The data points to one clear conclusion: the Intel Core i9-10980XE is the superior processor in every measured benchmark. It wins all eight head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 39.6% (Geekbench single-core) to 511.6% (Cinebench R15 multicore). The i5-4570 cannot match the i9-10980XE in any recorded workload, and the gap widens dramatically as thread count increases.

For users who prioritize multi-threaded rendering, compilation, or scientific computing, the i9-10980XE is the only rational choice. Its 18 cores and 36 threads, combined with 24.75 MB of shared L3 cache and quad-channel DDR4 bandwidth, produce Cinebench R23 multicore scores over 510% higher than the i5-4570. Even in single-threaded tasks, the i9-10980XE leads by at least 39.6% in Geekbench and over 510% in Cinebench single-core tests, meaning there is no workload category where the i5-4570 wins.

The i5-4570, however, still holds relevance for legacy systems or basic desktop use. Its integrated graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU, its 84-watt TDP is far easier to cool, and its 4-core/4-thread design is sufficient for light productivity. The i9-10980XE requires a discrete GPU, draws 165 watts, and targets a completely different performance tier. The verdict is unambiguous: pick the i9-10980XE for any performance-critical task, and only consider the i5-4570 for low-power, integrated-graphics scenarios where the i9-10980XE's capabilities are unnecessary.

Specification Differences

| Field | Intel Core i9-10980XE | Intel Core i5-4570 |

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

| Cores | 18 | 4 |

| Threads | 36 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 165 W | 84 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2066 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Cascade Lake | Haswell |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 22 nm |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 24.75 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 93.9 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 48 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4600 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Transistors | Not recorded | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | Not recorded | 177 mm² |

The base clock of the i5-4570 (3.20 GHz) is higher than the i9-10980XE (3.00 GHz), but the boost clock reverses this: 4.80 GHz versus 3.60 GHz. The i9-10980XE compensates for its lower base frequency with a much higher boost ceiling and far more cores. The i5-4570's 22 nm process and 84-watt TDP make it a low-power part, while the i9-10980XE's 14 nm process and 165-watt TDP reflect its extreme performance orientation.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980XE has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the Intel Core i5-4570 has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the i9-10980XE leads by 511.6% (2734 versus 447).

Q: Does the i5-4570 win any benchmark?

A: No. The i9-10980XE wins all eight head-to-head benchmarks, and the i5-4570 records zero wins.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The i5-4570 includes Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics. The i9-10980XE has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The i9-10980XE supports DDR4 over a quad-channel bus with 93.9 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-4570 supports DDR3 over a dual-channel bus.

Q: How do their single-core Geekbench scores compare?

A: The i9-10980XE scores 1453, and the i5-4570 scores 1041, giving the i9-10980XE a 39.6% advantage.

Where Each One Wins

The i9-10980XE wins every recorded benchmark, but the degree of dominance varies by workload type. In multi-threaded tests, the i9-10980XE is overwhelmingly superior. Cinebench R23 multicore shows a 510.8% lead, and Geekbench multicore shows a 372.8% lead. These results make the i9-10980XE the clear choice for rendering, video encoding, 3D simulation, or any application that scales across many cores. Its 36 threads and 24.75 MB of shared L3 cache allow it to handle parallel workloads that would completely saturate the i5-4570's 4 threads.

For single-threaded workloads, the i9-10980XE still wins, but the margin is smaller in Geekbench (39.6%) than in Cinebench (over 510%). This suggests that the i5-4570's Haswell architecture retains some per-core efficiency, but the i9-10980XE's higher boost clock (4.80 GHz versus 3.60 GHz) and newer process node (14 nm versus 22 nm) give it the edge. Users running older single-threaded applications will see a noticeable but not transformative improvement with the i9-10980XE.

The i5-4570's only practical advantages are its integrated graphics and lower power draw. With Intel HD 4600, it can power a display without a discrete GPU, making it suitable for basic office machines or home theater PCs. Its 84-watt TDP is roughly half that of the i9-10980XE (165 watts), so cooling and electricity costs are lower. The database shows no benchmark where the i5-4570 exceeds the i9-10980XE, so these are the only reasons to choose it. For any performance-oriented task, the i9-10980XE is the definitive winner, with data that leaves no ambiguity.