Intel Core i5-4570S vs Intel Core i7-2700K Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4570S and Intel Core i7-2700K represent two distinct eras of Intel desktop computing, separated by a generational shift in architecture and process technology. While both are 4-core processors aimed at the desktop segment, the data reveals a compelling split: the older i7-2700K dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the newer i5-4570S shows a massive lead in Geekbench. This analysis breaks down the benchmark results, architectural differences, and the specific use cases where each processor excels.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The two are remarkably close. The Intel Core i5-4570S has an average benchmark score of 1426, while the Intel Core i7-2700K sits just seven points lower at 1419. Both processors occupy the 37th percentile of all CPUs tracked.

Q: How do the two processors compare in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i7-2700K wins by 11.9%, scoring 4833 compared to the i5-4570S's 4256. This pattern of the i7-2700K winning by roughly 11.9% repeats across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core tests.

Q: Is the i5-4570S faster in any benchmark?

A: Yes, the i5-4570S wins decisively in Geekbench tests. It scores 2945 in Geekbench multi-core versus 2294 for the i7-2700K, a 28.4% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-4570S leads by 61.2%, scoring 1083 versus 672.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i7-2700K has 4 cores and 8 threads. The i7's Hyper-Threading capability gives it double the thread count.

Q: Which processor is newer and based on a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570S is newer, released in 2013, and uses a 22 nm process node. The Intel Core i7-2700K was released in 2011 and uses a 32 nm process node.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the i7-2700K?

A: The Intel Core i7-2700K had a launch MSRP of $332.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on fundamentally different Intel architectures. The i5-4570S is based on the Haswell architecture, the successor to Ivy Bridge, while the i7-2700K is a Sandy Bridge part. This architectural gap is significant, spanning two full generations of Intel desktop processors.

The manufacturing process highlights the generational leap. The i5-4570S is built on a 22 nm process, while the i7-2700K uses a larger 32 nm node. This process shrink allowed Intel to pack 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die for the i5-4570S, compared to 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die for the i7-2700K. The smaller process node contributes to the i5-4570S's lower 65 W TDP versus the i7-2700K's 95 W TDP.

Cache configurations also differ. Both share the same L1 cache at 64 KB per core and L2 cache at 256 KB per core, but the i7-2700K has a larger L3 cache at 8 MB shared, compared to 6 MB shared on the i5-4570S. Memory support is similar, with both using DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration, though the i7-2700K has a specified memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s while the i5-4570S's bandwidth is not listed in the data.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-4570S features Intel HD 4600 graphics, while the i7-2700K has the older Intel HD 3000. PCIe support also differs: the i5-4570S offers Gen 3, while the i7-2700K is limited to Gen 2 with 16 lanes on the CPU. The i7-2700K has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, whereas the i5-4570S does not. Finally, the i7-2700K is marked as end-of-life in production status, while the i5-4570S does not have a specified production status.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data paints a clear picture of a split personality between these two CPUs. Across the six Cinebench tests, the Intel Core i7-2700K is the consistent winner, and the margins are remarkably uniform.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-2700K scores 486 against the i5-4570S's 428, a delta of -11.9% for the i5. The single-core R15 test shows the same story: 68 for the i7 versus 60 for the i5, a -11.8% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-2700K again wins by 11.9% in both multi-core (2029 vs 1787) and single-core (286 vs 252). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern: the i7-2700K scores 4833 versus 4256 in multi-core (-11.9%), and 682 versus 600 in single-core (-12%). The consistency of these margins suggests the i7-2700K's higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 3.90 GHz, combined with its extra threads, provide a steady advantage across all Cinebench versions.

The Geekbench results, however, completely invert the ranking. In Geekbench multi-core, the i5-4570S scores 2945 versus 2294 for the i7-2700K, a massive 28.4% lead. The single-core Geekbench test is even more lopsided: the i5-4570S scores 1083 against 672, a 61.2% advantage. This dramatic swing in results indicates that the newer Haswell architecture has significant efficiency and instruction-level improvements that the older Sandy Bridge design lacks, even when the older chip has higher clock speeds.

The win tally reflects this division: the i7-2700K wins 6 benchmarks, while the i5-4570S wins only 2. However, the magnitude of the i5's wins in Geekbench is far larger than the i7's wins in Cinebench, which shows that the newer architecture has a distinct advantage in certain workloads.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet shows clear divergences between the two processors. The most obvious difference is in thread count: the i5-4570S has 4 threads, while the i7-2700K has 8 threads. Clock speeds also favor the older chip, with the i7-2700K running at a 3.50 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost, compared to 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost for the i5-4570S.

Thermal design power is a major differentiator. The i5-4570S has a 65 W TDP, significantly lower than the i7-2700K's 95 W TDP. This is directly attributable to the newer 22 nm process versus the older 32 nm node.

The socket and platform differ entirely. The i5-4570S uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i7-2700K uses the older Intel Socket 1155. This means they are not interchangeable in motherboards. The transistor count and die size also differ, with the i5-4570S having 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die, and the i7-2700K having 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die.

Cache sizes differ in L3, with the i7-2700K offering 8 MB shared versus 6 MB shared on the i5-4570S. Memory bandwidth is specified only for the i7-2700K at 21.3 GB/s. PCIe generation differs, with the i5-4570S supporting Gen 3 and the i7-2700K supporting Gen 2 with 16 lanes. The integrated graphics are different, with the i5-4570S having HD 4600 and the i7-2700K having HD 3000. The i7-2700K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, while the i5-4570S is locked. The i7-2700K has a launch MSRP of $332, while the i5-4570S has no listed launch MSRP.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data suggests clear use-case scenarios where each processor is the better choice.

The Intel Core i7-2700K is the pick for Cinebench workloads. Its consistent 11.9% to 12% lead across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 tests indicates that rendering and 3D visualization tasks that rely on sustained multi-threaded performance will benefit from the i7's higher clock speeds and additional threads. The 8 MB L3 cache also helps in these scenarios. Additionally, the unlocked multiplier makes the i7-2700K a candidate for overclocking, potentially extending its lead further in clock-sensitive workloads. The i7-2700K also has the advantage of a launch MSRP that was set at $332, though pricing is not a focus of this analysis.

The Intel Core i5-4570S wins decisively in Geekbench tests. The 61.2% lead in single-core Geekbench is a massive margin that points to the superior per-core efficiency of the Haswell architecture. The 28.4% lead in multi-core Geekbench, despite having half the threads of the i7-2700K, shows that the newer architecture's IPC (instructions per clock) improvements and lower power envelope deliver real-world benefits in applications that are not purely thread-count dependent. For users running software that leverages the newer instruction sets or is optimized for modern Intel architectures, the i5-4570S is the stronger performer. Its 65 W TDP also makes it more suitable for compact or power-conscious builds.

The data shows that the i7-2700K is the better choice for heavily threaded rendering tasks, while the i5-4570S is the better choice for general-purpose and single-threaded applications. The Geekbench results for the i5-4570S are particularly noteworthy because they demonstrate that architectural improvements can overcome clock speed and thread count disadvantages. The i7-2700K is end-of-life, while the i5-4570S has no specified production status, which may be a consideration for platform longevity.