Intel Core i5-4570S vs Intel Core i7-2600K Comparison

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i7-2600K and Intel Core i5-4570S represent two distinct generations of Intel desktop silicon. The i7-2600K is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process node, while the i5-4570S uses the Haswell architecture on a 22 nm node. This process shrink allowed Haswell to pack more transistors — 1,400 million versus 1,160 million — into a smaller die area of 177 mm² compared to 216 mm² for Sandy Bridge.

Both processors feature four physical cores, but the i7-2600K doubles thread count to 8 via Hyper-Threading, whereas the i5-4570S is limited to 4 threads. The i7-2600K has a larger shared L3 cache at 8 MB, while the i5-4570S has 6 MB. Both share identical L1 cache (64 KB per core) and L2 cache (256 KB per core) configurations. Memory support is DDR3 on both platforms, with dual-channel memory buses — the i7-2600K specifies 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, while the i5-4570S does not list a bandwidth figure in the data.

The i7-2600K uses Intel Socket 1155 and PCIe Gen 2 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4570S uses Intel Socket 1150 and PCIe Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ: the i7-2600K carries Intel HD 3000, and the i5-4570S has Intel HD 4600. The i7-2600K has an unlocked multiplier and is marked end-of-life, while the i5-4570S has a locked multiplier and no production status listed. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

The Verdict

The benchmark data tells a clear but nuanced story. The i7-2600K wins 6 of 8 head-to-head tests, dominating every Cinebench workload — R15, R20, and R23 — in both single-core and multi-core runs. The i5-4570S takes both Geekbench tests, with a particularly strong single-core result. For users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the i7-2600K is the pick. For Geekbench-oriented tasks, the i5-4570S pulls ahead.

The i7-2600K averages 1,433 across all benchmarks, landing in the 37th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-4570S averages 1,426, also in the 37th percentile. The two are effectively tied in aggregate performance — the i7-2600K leads by just 0.5% in average benchmark score. The i7-2600K's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-4712HQ at 1,436 (0.2% higher), while the i5-4570S sits just 0.2% above the Intel Core i7-3820 at 1,424.

Given the i7-2600K's launch MSRP of $317 and the i5-4570S's lack of a listed launch MSRP, the data suggests the older K-series part delivers comparable overall performance with a clear edge in multithreaded rendering. However, the i5-4570S counters with superior Geekbench scores, especially single-core, and a lower 65 W TDP versus 95 W. The choice depends entirely on workload profile.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-2600K | Intel Core i5-4570S |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Haswell |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 3000 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Release Date | 2011-01-08 | 2013-06-01 |

| Launch MSRP | $317 | Not listed |

The i7-2600K has higher base and boost clocks by 0.50 GHz and 0.20 GHz respectively. The i5-4570S counters with a smaller 22 nm process, more transistors, and a smaller die. The i7-2600K offers more L3 cache and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the i5-4570S has PCIe Gen 3 and a newer integrated GPU.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The i7-2600K's Cinebench dominance is consistent and substantial. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 469 versus 428 for the i5-4570S — a 9.6% lead. The single-core R15 result is 66 versus 60, a 10% advantage. The pattern repeats in Cinebench R20: multi-core 1,955 versus 1,787 (9.4% delta) and single-core 275 versus 252 (9.1% delta). Cinebench R23 continues the trend with multi-core 4,657 versus 4,256 (9.4% delta) and single-core 657 versus 600 (9.5% delta).

The i5-4570S wins decisively in Geekbench. In multi-core, it scores 2,945 against the i7-2600K's 2,613 — an 11.3% margin. The single-core Geekbench gap is even larger: 1,083 versus 768, a 29.1% blowout in favor of the i5-4570S. This dramatic single-core advantage suggests the Haswell architecture's IPC improvements and higher per-clock efficiency show up strongly in Geekbench's workload mix, even with the i5-4570S's lower 2.90 GHz base clock.

Across all eight tests, the i7-2600K wins six and the i5-4570S wins two. The aggregate average benchmark scores are nearly identical: 1,433 for the i7-2600K and 1,426 for the i5-4570S. The i7-2600K's nearest rival, the i7-4712HQ, scores 1,436 with a delta of -0.2%, while the i5-4570S's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-3820 at 1,424 with a delta of 0.2%.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-core performance in Cinebench?

A: The Intel Core i7-2600K wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests — R15 (469 vs 428), R20 (1,955 vs 1,787), and R23 (4,657 vs 4,256) — with deltas of 9.6%, 9.4%, and 9.4% respectively.

Q: How does the i5-4570S perform in Geekbench compared to the i7-2600K?

A: The i5-4570S wins both Geekbench tests. Multi-core is 2,945 versus 2,613 (11.3% higher), and single-core is 1,083 versus 768 (29.1% higher).

Q: What is the thread count difference between these two CPUs?

A: The i7-2600K has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-4570S has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i7-2600K supports Hyper-Threading; the i5-4570S does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-2600K averages 1,433 across all benchmarks, and the i5-4570S averages 1,426. The i7-2600K leads by 0.5%, with both landing in the 37th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Is the i7-2600K overclockable?

A: Yes, the i7-2600K has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-4570S has a locked multiplier, so it does not offer the same overclocking headroom.

Q: Which CPU has the lower TDP?

A: The i5-4570S has a TDP of 65 W, while the i7-2600K has a TDP of 95 W. The i5-4570S is the more power-efficient part on paper.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2600K is the clear winner in Cinebench workloads. Across R15, R20, and R23, it maintains a consistent 9-10% lead in both single-core and multi-core tests. This makes it the stronger choice for rendering tasks, 3D modeling, and any workflow that resembles Cinebench's rendering engine. The 8-thread configuration likely drives the multi-core advantage, while the higher 3.80 GHz boost clock helps single-core results. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for users willing to overclock further.

The i5-4570S wins decisively in Geekbench. Its 29.1% single-core advantage and 11.3% multi-core advantage suggest it handles Geekbench's mixed workload patterns more efficiently. This makes it the better pick for general desktop responsiveness, application launching, and lighter productivity tasks where single-thread performance dominates. The lower 65 W TDP also makes it easier to cool and more suitable for compact builds. The PCIe Gen 3 support and newer HD 4600 integrated graphics further favor the i5-4570S for systems relying on integrated display output.

For users who prioritize rendering throughput, the i7-2600K's six benchmark wins and higher average score make it the statistical choice. For those whose usage patterns align with Geekbench's measurements, the i5-4570S offers a substantial single-core performance advantage. The tie in overall percentile (both at 37) underscores that neither part is definitively superior — the right pick depends on which benchmark suite reflects the user's actual workloads.