Intel Core i5-4570T vs Intel Core i7-5557U Comparison

The Intel Core i7-5557U and Intel Core i5-4570T are evenly matched in average performance, with the i7-5557U scoring an average of 1110 compared to the i5-4570T’s 1108, a difference of just 0.2%. Both processors sit at the 31st percentile of all CPUs, indicating they occupy the same performance tier. Despite this near-identical aggregate, their benchmark results reveal distinct strengths: the i5-4570T wins 5 of the 7 head-to-head tests, while the i7-5557U claims victory in the two Geekbench tests with larger margins. The data shows that the choice between these two comes down to workload type, not raw average output.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking pattern in the head-to-head data is the i5-4570T’s consistent, narrow lead across the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i5-4570T scores 275 against the i7-5557U’s 270, a 1.8% advantage. This same 1.8% delta repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore (1147 vs 1126) and Cinebench R23 multicore (2732 vs 2682). The single-core Cinebench results follow the same trend: the i5-4570T leads by 1.9% in R20 single-core (161 vs 158) and by 1.8% in R23 single-core (385 vs 378). This uniformity suggests a fundamental efficiency edge for the Haswell desktop chip in Cinebench’s rendering workload, despite its lower base clock of 2.90 GHz compared to the i7-5557U’s 3.10 GHz.

The i7-5557U fights back decisively in Geekbench, where its architecture appears better optimized. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-5557U scores 2099 versus 2016 for the i5-4570T, a substantial 4.1% margin. The single-core Geekbench test also favors the i7-5557U, with a score of 1060 against 1042, a 1.7% win. These are the largest deltas in the entire comparison, and they flip the overall narrative. The i7-5557U’s Geekbench multicore win is more than double its Cinebench losses, indicating that its Broadwell architecture has a distinct advantage in this particular benchmark’s mixed integer and floating-point workload.

Examining the nearest rivals for each chip provides additional context. The i7-5557U is perfectly matched with the Intel Xeon E5630 (both at 1110), and it sits just 0.1% above the Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 (1109) and 0.2% above the AMD PRO A12-8870 (1107). The i5-4570T’s closest competitor is the AMD PRO A12-8870 at 1107, with the Intel Xeon E5-2609 v3 at 1109 representing a 0.1% gap in the i5-4570T’s favor. Notably, the i7-5557U lists the i5-4570T as a rival with a 0.2% delta, confirming that these two processors are statistical equivalents in aggregate performance.

The Cinebench results are particularly telling because they represent sustained, multi-threaded rendering workloads. The i5-4570T’s higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz (versus 3.40 GHz on the i7-5557U) likely contributes to its edge here, though the 35W TDP of the desktop chip versus the 28W TDP of the mobile chip also indicates a different thermal envelope. The Geekbench results, however, show that the i7-5557U’s newer 14nm process node and Iris 6100 graphics do not hurt its CPU compute performance in that test.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split: the Intel Core i5-4570T is the stronger choice for Cinebench-style rendering workloads, while the Intel Core i7-5557U wins in Geekbench-style mixed workloads. With 5 wins out of 7 head-to-head tests, the i5-4570T has the broader benchmark victory count, but the i7-5557U’s two wins carry larger percentage margins. The i5-4570T’s wins are all clustered within 1.8-1.9%, while the i7-5557U’s Geekbench multicore win is 4.1%. This means the i7-5557U delivers a more significant performance advantage where it wins, whereas the i5-4570T’s advantages are narrower and more consistent.

For users prioritizing Cinebench R20 or R23 multicore scores—typical indicators of video rendering and 3D modeling performance—the i5-4570T is the pick. Its 1147 R20 multicore score and 2732 R23 multicore score edge out the i7-5557U’s 1126 and 2682 respectively. Conversely, for general system responsiveness and CPU-intensive applications that resemble Geekbench’s workload mix, the i7-5557U’s 2099 multicore score and 1060 single-core score provide a tangible uplift over the i5-4570T’s 2016 and 1042. The percentile data shows both at 31, so neither offers a class-leading position; the decision rests entirely on which benchmark suite mirrors the intended use case.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel microarchitectures and process nodes. The i7-5557U is built on Broadwell-U, a 14nm process, while the i5-4570T uses Haswell on a 22nm process. This node difference is significant: the i7-5557U packs 1,900 million transistors into a 133 mm² die, whereas the i5-4570T has 1,400 million transistors on a larger 177 mm² die. The smaller, denser Broadwell process gives the i7-5557U a transistor density advantage, which likely explains its Geekbench performance despite lower clock speeds in some tests.

The integrated graphics differ substantially. The i7-5557U features Intel Iris 6100, while the i5-4570T has Intel HD 4600. This is a notable feature gap, though the FACT PACK provides no direct graphics benchmarks. The i7-5557U also has a different socket (Intel BGA 1168, indicating a mobile/bGA design), while the i5-4570T uses Intel Socket 1150, a desktop platform. The i7-5557U’s PCIe implementation is Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i5-4570T supports PCIe Gen 3. This PCIe generation difference could affect expansion bandwidth, though the FACT PACK does not specify lane counts for the i5-4570T.

Both chips feature 2 cores and 4 threads, with identical cache hierarchies: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. Neither supports ECC memory, and both use dual-channel DDR3. The i7-5557U lists a memory bandwidth of 29.9 GB/s, while the i5-4570T’s memory bandwidth is not provided. The i7-5557U is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-4570T’s production status is not specified.

Specification Differences

The core specification differences are straightforward. The i7-5557U has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the i5-4570T has a lower base clock of 2.90 GHz but a higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz. The i7-5557U draws 28W TDP versus 35W for the i5-4570T, making the mobile chip more power-efficient on paper. The i7-5557U uses Intel BGA 1168 socket, while the i5-4570T uses Intel Socket 1150. Process nodes differ: 14nm for the i7-5557U versus 22nm for the i5-4570T.

The transistor counts and die sizes are reversed in scale: the i7-5557U has more transistors (1,900 million) on a smaller die (133 mm²), while the i5-4570T has fewer transistors (1,400 million) on a larger die (177 mm²). Integrated graphics differ, with the i7-5557U featuring Iris 6100 and the i5-4570T featuring HD 4600. PCIe support differs: the i7-5557U is Gen 2 with 12 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-4570T is Gen 3 with unspecified lanes. The i7-5557U has a launch MSRP of $426; no launch MSRP is provided for the i5-4570T. The i7-5557U’s release date is 2015-02-28, while the i5-4570T’s is 2013-06-01.

Memory support is identical (DDR3, dual-channel), and neither chip has an unlocked multiplier. The i7-5557U lists a part number of SR26E, and the i5-4570T lists SR14R. The i7-5557U is classified as Mobile market segment, while the i5-4570T is Desktop.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-5557U has an average benchmark score of 1110, while the Intel Core i5-4570T scores 1108. This is a 0.2% difference in favor of the i7-5557U.

Q: How do the two chips compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570T scores 2732, while the Intel Core i7-5557U scores 2682. The i5-4570T leads by 1.8% in this test.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is in Geekbench multicore, where the Intel Core i7-5557U scores 2099 versus 2016 for the Intel Core i5-4570T, a 4.1% advantage.

Q: Do both processors have the same core and thread counts?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-5557U and the Intel Core i5-4570T have 2 cores and 4 threads, with identical L1 (64 KB per core), L2 (256 KB per core), and L3 (4 MB shared) cache configurations.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570T has a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, which is higher than the Intel Core i7-5557U’s 3.40 GHz boost clock.

Q: What are the process node differences?

A: The Intel Core i7-5557U is built on a 14nm process, while the Intel Core i5-4570T uses a 22nm process. The i7-5557U also has more transistors (1,900 million) on a smaller die (133 mm²) compared to the i5-4570T’s 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-4570T wins in sustained rendering workloads. It takes all five Cinebench tests—R15 multicore, R20 multicore, R20 single-core, R23 multicore, and R23 single-core—by margins ranging from 1.8% to 1.9%. This makes it the better option for users whose primary benchmark is Cinebench, which typically correlates with video encoding, 3D rendering, and other CPU-intensive creative tasks. Its higher boost clock of 3.60 GHz and desktop platform (Socket 1150) likely contribute to this consistent edge.

The Intel Core i7-5557U wins in Geekbench, both multicore and single-core. Its 4.1% multicore lead and 1.7% single-core lead are the largest margins in the comparison. This suggests a meaningful advantage in general-purpose computing, web browsing, office applications, and other mixed workloads that Geekbench represents. The i7-5557U’s Iris 6100 graphics and newer 14nm architecture may also benefit systems where integrated graphics matter, though no graphics benchmarks are available in the data.

From a platform perspective, the i5-4570T is a desktop processor using Intel Socket 1150 and PCIe Gen 3, making it suitable for traditional desktop builds. The i7-5557U is a mobile processor using Intel BGA 1168, indicating it is designed for laptops or compact mobile systems. The i7-5557U’s lower 28W TDP versus the i5-4570T’s 35W TDP also positions it for power-constrained environments. The i7-5557U has a launch MSRP of $426, while no MSRP is listed for the i5-4570T. Both processors are locked (multiplier unlocked: false), so overclocking is not an option for either.