Intel Core i5-4570T vs Intel Core i7-2860QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear split between the two processors across the benchmark suite. The Intel Core i7-2860QM wins five of the seven head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-4570T takes the remaining two. The margin of victory, however, tells a more nuanced story.

In the Cinebench tests, the i7-2860QM dominates consistently. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 390 against 275 for the i5-4570T, a 41.8% advantage. The same delta appears in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7-2860QM records 1626 versus 1147, again a 41.8% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore follows the pattern: 3873 for the i7-2860QM against 2732, another 41.8% gap. Single-core Cinebench results are similar in magnitude. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i7-2860QM scores 229 versus 161, a 42.2% difference. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 546 against 385, a 41.8% margin. These are substantial, consistent wins across every Cinebench workload.

The Geekbench results flip the script. In Geekbench multicore, the i5-4570T scores 2016 against 1681 for the i7-2860QM, a 16.6% advantage for the newer chip. The single-core Geekbench gap is even larger: the i5-4570T posts 1042 versus 558, a 46.4% lead. This is the largest single-test margin in either direction in the entire comparison. The i5-4570T nearly doubles the i7-2860QM's single-core Geekbench score.

Interpreting these numbers requires context. The Cinebench wins for the i7-2860QM are remarkably uniform at around 42%, suggesting a fundamental throughput advantage in that workload. The Geekbench wins for the i5-4570T, particularly the single-core result, indicate a completely different performance profile. The data shows that neither chip is universally superior; each leads decisively in specific test families.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations and are built for different market segments. The i7-2860QM is a Sandy Bridge part, released on 2011-09-03, targeting the mobile segment. The i5-4570T is a Haswell chip, released on 2013-06-01, aimed at desktop systems. These generational gaps explain much of the benchmark behavior.

The core configuration differs sharply. The i7-2860QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-4570T has 2 cores and 4 threads. This doubling of logical processors in the i7-2860QM directly supports its large Cinebench multicore margins. The i5-4570T compensates with a different process node: 22 nm versus 32 nm for the i7-2860QM. The newer node also allows the i5-4570T to pack 1,400 million transistors into a 177 mm² die, while the i7-2860QM uses 1,160 million transistors across a larger 216 mm² die.

Cache allocation is another divider. Both chips share 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core. The L3 cache differs substantially: the i7-2860QM has 8 MB shared, while the i5-4570T has only 4 MB shared. Despite having half the L3, the i5-4570T still wins the Geekbench tests, indicating that architectural efficiency matters more than raw cache size in those workloads.

Clock speeds are worth noting. Both chips boost to 3.60 GHz, but the base clocks differ: the i7-2860QM runs at 2.50 GHz, while the i5-4570T starts at 2.90 GHz. The i5-4570T also has a lower TDP of 35 watts against 45 watts for the i7-2860QM. The integrated graphics differ as well: Intel HD 3000 on the i7-2860QM versus Intel HD 4600 on the i5-4570T. The i5-4570T supports DDR3 memory and PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-2860QM lists no memory support specification and no PCIe version in the database. Both use dual-channel memory buses, and neither supports ECC memory.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7-2860QM and Intel Socket 1150 for the i5-4570T. The i7-2860QM is marked as end-of-life; the i5-4570T has no production status listed. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to two distinct usage profiles. The i7-2860QM is the clear choice for multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore scores all beat the i5-4570T by exactly 41.8%. The i5-4570T cannot close this gap in any rendering test, despite its newer architecture. The 4-core, 8-thread configuration of the i7-2860QM provides a structural advantage that the 2-core, 4-thread i5-4570T cannot overcome in these heavily threaded tasks.

The i5-4570T is the better option for single-core and general-purpose workloads as measured by Geekbench. Its 46.4% lead in Geekbench single-core and 16.6% lead in Geekbench multicore are decisive. The newer Haswell architecture, smaller process node, and higher base clock all contribute to this result. For users running applications that favor per-core efficiency over raw thread count, the data clearly favors the i5-4570T.

The overall percentile rankings are nearly identical: the i7-2860QM sits at the 32nd percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-4570T sits at the 31st. Their average benchmark scores are also close: 1120 for the i7-2860QM and 1108 for the i5-4570T. The nearest rivals for the i7-2860QM include the AMD Athlon 240GE (average score 1121, 0% delta), the Intel Xeon D-1518 (1121, -0.1%), the Intel Core i3-4150 (1119, 0.1%), and the Intel Core i5-3550S (1118, 0.2%). For the i5-4570T, the nearest rivals are the AMD PRO A12-8870 (1107, 0.1%), the Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 (1109, -0.1%), the AMD Opteron 4280 (1107, 0.1%), and the AMD Opteron 3280 (1106, 0.1%). Both chips occupy the same performance tier, but their strengths lie in different benchmark families.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core i7-2860QM wins 5 of the 7 head-to-head tests. The Intel Core i5-4570T wins the remaining 2.

Q: How large is the i7-2860QM's lead in Cinebench multicore tests?

A: The i7-2860QM leads by 41.8% in Cinebench R15 multicore, Cinebench R20 multicore, and Cinebench R23 multicore.

Q: What is the biggest single-test margin in either direction?

A: The i5-4570T leads by 46.4% in Geekbench single-core, scoring 1042 against 558 for the i7-2860QM.

Q: Do the two processors have the same number of cores?

A: No. The i7-2860QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-4570T has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The i7-2860QM uses a 32 nm process, while the i5-4570T uses a 22 nm process.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The i7-2860QM has 8 MB shared L3 cache, while the i5-4570T has 4 MB shared L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-2860QM wins every Cinebench test in the database. This includes Cinebench R15 multicore (390 vs 275), Cinebench R20 multicore (1626 vs 1147), Cinebench R20 single-core (229 vs 161), Cinebench R23 multicore (3873 vs 2732), and Cinebench R23 single-core (546 vs 385). The margins are consistent, ranging from 41.8% to 42.2%. This makes the i7-2860QM the stronger choice for any workload dominated by Cinebench-style rendering, whether multi-threaded or single-threaded.

The i5-4570T wins both Geekbench tests. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 2016 against 1681, a 16.6% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1042 against 558, a 46.4% advantage. These wins indicate that the i5-4570T is better suited for applications that resemble Geekbench's workload mix, particularly those that reward per-core efficiency and lower memory latency. The i5-4570T's higher base clock of 2.90 GHz, compared to 2.50 GHz for the i7-2860QM, likely plays a role here.

The use-case split is straightforward. Choose the i7-2860QM for rendering tasks and any workload that scales with thread count. Choose the i5-4570T for general-purpose computing, single-threaded applications, and scenarios where the newer Haswell architecture provides an edge. The i5-4570T also offers a lower TDP of 35 watts versus 45 watts, which may be relevant for systems with tighter thermal constraints. The i7-2860QM, being a mobile part, targets laptops and notebooks, while the i5-4570T targets desktop systems.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification field. The i7-2860QM has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-4570T has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.50 GHz for the i7-2860QM and 2.90 GHz for the i5-4570T. Both share a boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The TDP is 45 watts for the i7-2860QM and 35 watts for the i5-4570T.

The sockets are different: Intel Socket G2 (988B) for the i7-2860QM and Intel Socket 1150 for the i5-4570T. The architectures are Sandy Bridge and Haswell, respectively. Process nodes are 32 nm for the i7-2860QM and 22 nm for the i5-4570T. Transistor counts are 1,160 million for the i7-2860QM and 1,400 million for the i5-4570T. Die sizes are 216 mm² for the i7-2860QM and 177 mm² for the i5-4570T.

L3 cache is 8 MB shared on the i7-2860QM and 4 MB shared on the i5-4570T. L1 and L2 caches are identical at 64 KB per core and 256 KB per core, respectively. The i7-2860QM has Intel HD 3000 integrated graphics, while the i5-4570T has Intel HD 4600. The i5-4570T lists DDR3 memory support and PCIe Gen 3; the i7-2860QM lists neither memory support nor PCIe version. Both use dual-channel memory buses and neither supports ECC memory. The market segments differ: Mobile for the i7-2860QM and Desktop for the i5-4570T. The i7-2860QM is end-of-life, while the i5-4570T has no production status listed. Release dates are 2011-09-03 for the i7-2860QM and 2013-06-01 for the i5-4570T. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.