Intel Core i5-4570S vs Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 and the Intel Core i5-4570S are both four-core, four-thread processors, but they represent different generations and design goals. The Xeon E3-1225 v5 is a Skylake-era server/workstation part, while the Core i5-4570S is a Haswell-era desktop chip. Benchmark data from the database shows a clear overall winner: the Xeon E3-1225 v5 wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 19% to 20%. However, the i5-4570S is not without its own merits, particularly in its lower thermal design power and its standing against its own rivals. This analysis will break down the architectural differences, identify where each processor excels, and answer common questions based solely on the recorded data.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 is the faster processor in every recorded benchmark. If the priority is raw computational performance, particularly in multi-threaded workloads, the Xeon is the clear choice. It delivers a 19.2% advantage in Cinebench R15 multi-core and a 19% lead in R20 and R23 multi-core tests. Single-core performance also favors the Xeon, with a 20% lead in R15 single-core and 19% to 19.2% leads in R20 and R23 single-core tests. The Xeon also holds a higher average benchmark score of 1465, placing it in the 38th percentile of all CPUs, compared to the i5-4570S's average score of 1426 and 37th percentile ranking.

Who should pick which? The Xeon E3-1225 v5 is the pick for users who need maximum compute throughput from a four-core part, especially in scenarios where ECC memory support is a requirement. The i5-4570S is the pick for builds where power efficiency is the primary concern. Its 65W TDP is notably lower than the Xeon's 80W. For a desktop user with a Socket 1150 platform, the i5-4570S remains a serviceable choice, but the benchmark data shows it is consistently behind the newer Xeon part in pure performance. The i5-4570S does hold its own against its own nearest rivals, with a 0.2% delta over the Intel Core i7-3820 and a 0.4% delta over the Intel Core i7-3720QM, but it cannot match the Xeon's output.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different platforms. The Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 uses the Skylake architecture on a 14 nm process node, packing 1,750 million transistors into a 122 mm² die. It fits into the Intel Socket 1151. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-4570S uses the older Haswell architecture on a 22 nm process, with 1,400 million transistors on a larger 177 mm² die, and fits into the Intel Socket 1150.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The divergence is in the shared L3 cache: the Xeon E3-1225 v5 has 8 MB shared, while the i5-4570S has 6 MB shared. This 2 MB difference in last-level cache can affect performance in workloads with large working sets.

Memory support is another major differentiator. The Xeon E3-1225 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i5-4570S is limited to DDR3 memory only, also in dual-channel, though its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. Critically, the Xeon supports ECC memory, a feature absent on the i5-4570S, which is a key reason for its server/workstation market segment classification.

The integrated graphics differ: the Xeon packs HD Graphics P530, while the i5-4570S has Intel HD 4600. PCIe support is also different, with the Xeon listing Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4570S simply lists Gen 3 without a lane count. The Xeon's base clock is 3.30 GHz with a boost of 3.70 GHz, while the i5-4570S runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost. Both are multiplier-unlocked, meaning they cannot be overclocked via the multiplier. The Xeon was released on 2015-10-18 and is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-4570S was released on 2013-06-01.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the head-to-head benchmark results, the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 wins in every category measured. There are no benchmark wins for the i5-4570S. However, the areas of victory for the Xeon can be contextualized.

In multi-core rendering workloads, the Xeon's lead is consistent. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Xeon scores 510 versus 428 for the i5-4570S, a 19.2% win. In R20 multi-core, the Xeon scores 2127 versus 1787, a 19% win. In R23 multi-core, the Xeon scores 5065 versus 4256, again a 19% win. This consistency suggests the Xeon's architectural efficiency and higher clock speeds translate directly into sustained multi-threaded performance.

In single-core tests, the Xeon also wins decisively. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 72 versus 60, a 20% margin. R20 single-core shows 300 versus 252, a 19% margin, and R23 single-core shows 715 versus 600, a 19.2% margin. These results indicate that the Xeon is not just better at scaling across cores, but it also has a stronger per-core performance advantage.

Where does the i5-4570S win? The data does not record a single benchmark win for it. The only area where the i5-4570S has a clear advantage is in power consumption. Its 65W TDP is lower than the Xeon's 80W, making it the better choice for a low-power, compact desktop build where heat output and energy draw are prioritized over maximum performance. It also has a longer availability period, with no end-of-life status recorded, whereas the Xeon is listed as end-of-life.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 is faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 5065 compared to the Intel Core i5-4570S's 4256, a 19% difference. Similar margins are seen in R15 and R20 multi-core tests.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-4570S win any benchmarks?

A: No. The head-to-head data records six benchmark comparisons, and the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 wins all six. The i5-4570S has zero recorded wins.

Q: What is the main advantage of the Intel Core i5-4570S?

A: Its power draw. The i5-4570S has a TDP of 65W, which is lower than the Xeon E3-1225 v5's 80W. This makes it a more efficient choice for builds where power consumption is a critical factor.

Q: Can the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 use ECC memory?

A: Yes. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which is a key feature for server and workstation reliability. The i5-4570S does not support ECC memory.

Q: How does the single-core performance compare?

A: The Xeon E3-1225 v5 is ahead by 20% in Cinebench R15 single-core (72 vs 60) and by 19.2% in R23 single-core (715 vs 600). The Xeon's higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.60 GHz contributes to this advantage.

Q: What are the memory options for each processor?

A: The Xeon E3-1225 v5 supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory in dual-channel mode, with a bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s. The i5-4570S is restricted to DDR3 memory only, also in dual-channel mode.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the uniformity of the Xeon's victory. Across all six Cinebench tests, the margin never dips below 19%. This is not a case of a narrow win in one test and a blowout in another; it is a consistent performance gap.

The largest percentage win for the Xeon comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 72 against the i5-4570S's 60. This 20% delta is the highest recorded margin. The Xeon also achieves a 19.2% delta in R15 multi-core (510 vs 428) and R23 single-core (715 vs 600). The smallest margins, at 19%, occur in R20 multi-core (2127 vs 1787), R20 single-core (300 vs 252), and R23 multi-core (5065 vs 4256).

Interpreting these numbers, the Xeon's advantages are clear. The 20% single-core lead in R15 indicates a strong per-core IPC and clock speed advantage. The consistent 19% multi-core leads show that this advantage scales across all four cores without any thermal or architectural throttling issues in the benchmark environment.

For the i5-4570S, the data paints a picture of a processor that, while competent, is simply a generation behind. Its performance against its own nearest rivals is respectable: it is 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3820 and 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i7-3720QM. However, when placed against the Xeon E3-1225 v5, the age of the Haswell architecture becomes apparent. The Xeon's average benchmark score of 1465 is 39 points higher than the i5-4570S's 1426, a gap that is consistent with the head-to-head results. The Xeon's percentile ranking of 38 versus 37 for the i5-4570S further confirms that the Xeon sits slightly higher in the overall performance distribution of all CPUs.