Intel Core i5-4570R vs Intel Core i5-6400 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split between the two processors, with the Intel Core i5-4570R dominating the Cinebench suite while the Intel Core i5-6400 takes the Geekbench tests. The most decisive victory for the i5-4570R comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 54 against the i5-6400's 51, a 5.9% advantage. The multicore result in the same test shows the i5-4570R at 390 versus 364, a 7.1% lead. This pattern repeats across the entire Cinebench family. In R20 multicore, the i5-4570R posts 1629 against 1517, a 7.4% edge; in R20 single-core, it leads 229 to 214, a 7% gap. The R23 results are equally lopsided: the i5-4570R scores 3879 multicore versus 3614, a 7.3% advantage, and 547 single-core versus 510, another 7.3% margin.

The i5-6400's wins are concentrated in Geekbench, where the newer architecture shows its strength. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-6400 scores 3134 against the i5-4570R's 2872, an 8.4% delta in favor of the Skylake part. The Geekbench single-core test is even more decisive: the i5-6400 scores 1048 versus 943, a full 10% lead. This divergence between benchmark suites is notable — the i5-4570R wins six of eight head-to-head comparisons, while the i5-6400 claims the remaining two with larger percentage margins per test.

The average benchmark scores tell a story of near-parity overall. The i5-4570R has an average benchmark score of 1318, placing it in the 35th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-6400 sits at 1307 average, also in the 35th percentile. The nearest rivals for the i5-4570R include the Intel Celeron G6900E at 1321 (0.2% behind) and the Intel Core i7-3770T at 1314 (0.3% ahead), indicating the i5-4570R sits in a tightly packed cluster of mid-range performers. The i5-6400's nearest rivals include the AMD Athlon Gold 7220U at 1311 (0.3% behind) and the Intel Core i7-3610QE at 1297 (0.8% ahead), showing a similar position in the overall performance distribution.

The Verdict

From the data alone, the Intel Core i5-4570R is the stronger Cinebench performer across every version tested, with consistent leads ranging from 5.9% to 7.4%. However, the Intel Core i5-6400 demonstrates a clear advantage in Geekbench, with a 10% single-core lead and an 8.4% multicore lead. The choice between these two processors depends entirely on which benchmark suite matters more for the intended workload.

The i5-4570R wins six of eight head-to-head comparisons and posts higher scores in every Cinebench iteration — R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multicore. This consistency suggests it has an edge in rendering and CPU-bound creative workloads that Cinebench represents. The i5-6400, meanwhile, shows superiority in Geekbench, which may indicate better performance in general-purpose computing tasks, particularly those that benefit from single-thread efficiency.

For users prioritizing Cinebench-class workloads, the i5-4570R is the data-backed choice. For those whose applications resemble Geekbench's test patterns, the i5-6400 offers measurable gains. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1318 versus 1307 — and both sit at the 35th percentile, meaning neither processor dramatically outperforms the other in the broader CPU landscape. The i5-4570R edges out the i5-6400 in aggregate by 11 points, a negligible 0.8% difference.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i5-4570R — The data shows this processor winning all three generations of Cinebench tests, both single-core and multicore. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 390 versus 364; in R20 multicore, 1629 versus 1517; in R23 multicore, 3879 versus 3614. The single-core margins are smaller but consistent: 54 to 51 in R15, 229 to 214 in R20, and 547 to 510 in R23. This pattern suggests the i5-4570R has an advantage in sustained rendering workloads. Its 4 MB of shared L3 cache and Iris Pro 5200 integrated graphics are notable differentiators, though the benchmark data does not isolate graphics performance. The i5-4570R also has a 65 W TDP, matching the i5-6400, but its 22 nm process node and 260 mm² die size with 1,700 million transistors indicate a physically larger chip.

Intel Core i5-6400 — This processor claims both Geekbench victories. The single-core score of 1048 versus 943 is its largest margin, a 10% improvement. The multicore score of 3134 versus 2872 shows an 8.4% advantage. These results point to strengths in workloads that Geekbench measures, which typically include everyday computing tasks, web browsing, and office productivity. The i5-6400 achieves this with a 14 nm process node and a smaller 177 mm² die size. It also supports DDR4 memory with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth, compared to the i5-4570R's DDR3 at 25.6 GB/s — a memory bandwidth difference that may contribute to its Geekbench performance. The i5-6400's boost clock is 3.30 GHz versus the i5-4570R's 3.20 GHz, a small but measurable advantage.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher Cinebench R23 multicore score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570R scores 3879 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core i5-6400 scores 3614. The i5-4570R leads by 7.3%.

Q: What is the Geekbench single-core score difference between the two?

A: The Intel Core i5-6400 scores 1048 in Geekbench single-core, versus 943 for the Intel Core i5-4570R. This is a 10% advantage for the i5-6400.

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark averages?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570R has an average benchmark score of 1318, and the Intel Core i5-6400 has an average of 1307. Both sit at the 35th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570R supports DDR3 memory with a dual-channel bus and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i5-6400 supports DDR4 memory with a dual-channel bus and 34.1 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-4570R and the Intel Core i5-6400 have 4 cores and 4 threads, with the same 2.70 GHz base clock and 65 W TDP.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-6400 has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i5-4570R has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations. The Intel Core i5-4570R uses the Haswell architecture with the codename Crystal Well, while the Intel Core i5-6400 uses the Skylake architecture with the codename Skylake. The i5-4570R is built on a 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry, featuring 1,700 million transistors on a 260 mm² die. The i5-6400 moves to a 14 nm process node, also at Intel's foundry, with a smaller 177 mm² die size; the transistor count is not listed for the i5-6400.

Both processors have identical L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 cache at 256 KB per core. The L3 cache differs: the i5-4570R has 4 MB shared, while the i5-6400 has 6 MB shared. The integrated graphics also differ significantly. The i5-4570R carries Intel Iris Pro 5200 graphics, while the i5-6400 uses HD Graphics 530. This is a major architectural distinction, as Iris Pro 5200 is a higher-tier graphics solution compared to the standard HD Graphics 530.

Memory support reflects the generational gap. The i5-4570R supports DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-6400 supports DDR4 with 34.1 GB/s bandwidth. Both use dual-channel memory buses. Neither processor supports ECC memory. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4570R | Intel Core i5-6400 |

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

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1364 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Skylake |

| Codename | Crystal Well | Skylake |

| Generation | Core i5 (Haswell) | Core i5 (Skylake) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,700 million | Not listed |

| Die Size | 260 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel Iris Pro 5200 | HD Graphics 530 |

| Release Date | 2013-06-01 | 2015-07-01 |

| Part Number | SR18P | SR2L7 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $182 |

The i5-6400 has a 0.10 GHz higher boost clock (3.30 versus 3.20 GHz). The i5-6400 uses Socket 1151, while the i5-4570R uses BGA 1364, meaning the i5-6400 is socketed while the i5-4570R is ball-grid array (typically soldered). The i5-6400 was released on 2015-07-01, while the i5-4570R was released on 2013-06-01. Both are end-of-life production status. The i5-6400 has a launch MSRP of $182, while the i5-4570R has no launch MSRP listed. Both processors are locked (multiplier not unlocked) and target the desktop market segment.