Intel Core i5-4570S vs Intel Core i7-3840QM Comparison

The Intel Core i5-4570S and the Intel Core i7-3840QM represent two distinct approaches to performance from the same manufacturer, separated by nearly a year in release timing. The i5-4570S is a desktop part built on the Haswell architecture, while the i7-3840QM is a mobile processor from the preceding Ivy Bridge generation. Benchmark data reveals a stark split in their capabilities, with each CPU dominating entirely different types of workloads, making the choice between them highly dependent on the intended application.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most immediate observation from the data is the complete divergence in results across the Cinebench and Geekbench test suites. The Intel Core i7-3840QM wins six of the eight head-to-head comparisons, but the Intel Core i5-4570S wins the remaining two by a significantly larger margin. This is not a case of one chip being universally faster; it is a case of each chip being optimized for a different workload profile.

In the Cinebench suite, the i7-3840QM is consistently ahead. In the R15 multicore test, the i7 scores 498 against the i5's 428, a delta of -14.1% for the i5. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7 scores 2079 against 1787, and in R23 multicore, where it scores 4952 against 4256. The single-core Cinebench results tell the same story. The i7-3840QM leads in R15 single-core with 70 points versus 60, in R20 single-core with 293 versus 252, and in R23 single-core with 699 versus 600. Across all six Cinebench tests, the deltaPct is remarkably consistent, hovering around 14% in favor of the i7-3840QM. This uniformity suggests a fundamental architectural or configuration advantage that scales linearly across all rendering workloads.

The situation reverses dramatically in the Geekbench tests. Here, the Intel Core i5-4570S wins decisively. In Geekbench multicore, the i5 scores 2945 against the i7's 2111, a delta of 39.5% in favor of the i5. The single-core result is even more lopsided. The i5 scores 1083, while the i7 manages only 628, yielding a delta of 72.5% for the i5. This is a massive performance gap that cannot be explained by a simple clock speed difference. The i5-4570S has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the i7-3840QM has a base of 2.80 GHz and a higher boost of 3.80 GHz. Yet, in single-core Geekbench, the i5 is nearly 73% faster. This points to significant differences in how each processor handles the specific workloads in Geekbench, likely related to the newer Haswell microarchitecture's efficiency in integer and floating-point operations.

The overall average benchmark scores are very close, with the i5-4570S averaging 1426 and the i7-3840QM averaging 1416. This places both processors at the 37th percentile of all CPUs, and their nearest rivals reflect this parity. The i5's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-3820 with an average score of 1424 and a deltaPct of 0.2, while the i7-3840QM's nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 2700U with a score of 1415 and a deltaPct of 0.1. The similarity in average scores masks the extreme variance in individual test results, underscoring that these are specialized performers rather than general-purpose equivalents.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570S has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 1426, compared to the Intel Core i7-3840QM's average of 1416. Both sit at the 37th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: In which test does the Intel Core i5-4570S show its largest advantage?

A: The i5-4570S shows its largest advantage in the Geekbench single-core test, where it scores 1083 against the i7-3840QM's 628, a delta of 72.5% in its favor.

Q: Is the Intel Core i7-3840QM faster in all Cinebench tests?

A: Yes, the i7-3840QM wins all six Cinebench tests in the head-to-head data. Its margins are consistent, with deltaPct values ranging from -14.0% to -14.3% relative to the i5-4570S.

Q: How does the thread count differ between these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570S has 4 threads, while the Intel Core i7-3840QM has 8 threads. Both have 4 physical cores.

Q: What are the TDP values for these two CPUs?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the Intel Core i7-3840QM has a lower TDP of 45 watts.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No, neither the Intel Core i5-4570S nor the Intel Core i7-3840QM supports ECC memory.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different microarchitectures, which explains their divergent benchmark behavior. The Intel Core i5-4570S uses the Haswell architecture, while the Intel Core i7-3840QM is based on the older Ivy Bridge architecture. Both are manufactured on the same 22 nm process node at Intel's foundry, and both integrate 1,400 million transistors. The die sizes differ slightly, with the Haswell chip measuring 177 mm² and the Ivy Bridge chip measuring 160 mm².

Memory support is identical: both support DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. Neither processor supports ECC memory. The i5-4570S has a PCIe Gen 3 interface, while the i7-3840QM has no PCIe information listed in the data. The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-4570S comes with Intel HD 4600, while the i7-3840QM has Intel HD 4000.

The cache hierarchy is a key differentiator. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, is larger on the i7-3840QM, with 8 MB shared, compared to 6 MB shared on the i5-4570S. This larger cache likely contributes to the i7's strong performance in the Cinebench suite.

The market segments are distinct: the i5-4570S is a desktop processor on the Intel Socket 1150 platform, while the i7-3840QM is a mobile processor on the Intel BGA 1224 socket. The i7 also has a higher boost clock at 3.80 GHz versus 3.60 GHz, but a lower base clock at 2.80 GHz versus 2.90 GHz. Both processors have locked multipliers and were released in similar timeframes, with the i5-4570S released on June 1, 2013, and the i7-3840QM released on September 2, 2012.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear, if unusual, verdict. The Intel Core i7-3840QM is the superior choice for heavily threaded rendering workloads, as evidenced by its consistent 14% lead across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 benchmarks. Its 8 threads and larger 8 MB L3 cache give it a tangible advantage in tasks that scale with parallel processing and cache size. For users whose primary applications are video rendering, 3D modeling, or other Cinebench-like workloads, the i7-3840QM is the data-backed winner.

The Intel Core i5-4570S, despite its older generation status relative to the i7, is the overwhelming winner in Geekbench tests. Its 72.5% lead in single-core performance and 39.5% lead in multi-core performance are far larger than the i7's Cinebench advantage. This indicates that the Haswell architecture is significantly more efficient at handling the types of operations tested by Geekbench, which often involve shorter bursts of activity and more varied instruction mixes. For general productivity, web browsing, and applications that favor single-threaded speed, the i5-4570S is the clear choice.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, but this is misleading. The i5-4570S wins the tests it wins by a landslide, while the i7-3840QM wins its tests by a smaller, yet consistent, margin. A user choosing between these two should not look at the average score but at the specific benchmarks that match their workload. The i5-4570S is for tasks that need raw single-thread speed and Geekbench-style performance. The i7-3840QM is for tasks that need sustained multi-threaded rendering power.

Specification Differences

The following table lists only the fields where the two processors differ.

| Specification | Intel Core i5-4570S | Intel Core i7-3840QM |

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

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel BGA 1224 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |

| Codename | Haswell | Ivy Bridge |

| Generation | Core i5 (Haswell) | Core i7 (Ivy Bridge) |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 160 mm² |

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

| PCIe | Gen 3 | null |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4600 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2013-06-01 | 2012-09-02 |

| Part Number | SR14J | SR0UU |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3840QM wins in every Cinebench test, covering both single-core and multi-core variants across R15, R20, and R23. This makes it the superior processor for rendering tasks, 3D visualization, and any workload that is heavily threaded and cache-sensitive. The consistent 14% margin suggests a reliable performance uplift in these scenarios. Its lower TDP of 45 watts also makes it an attractive option for mobile workstations where thermal headroom is limited.

The Intel Core i5-4570S wins in both Geekbench tests, with particularly strong performance in single-core operations. Its 72.5% lead in Geekbench single-core is the largest performance gap in the entire comparison. This makes it the better choice for everyday desktop tasks, office applications, and any software that relies heavily on single-threaded performance. The Haswell architecture appears to provide a significant IPC advantage over Ivy Bridge in these specific workloads, despite the i7's higher boost clock.

In summary, the choice is clear: pick the i7-3840QM for rendering and multi-threaded compute, and pick the i5-4570S for general desktop speed and responsiveness. The data does not support a single "best" processor; it supports two distinct best processors for two different types of users.