Intel Core i5-4570TE vs Intel Core i7-2820QM Comparison

# Intel Core i7-2820QM vs Intel Core i5-4570TE

The Intel Core i7-2820QM wins the benchmark battle overall, taking 5 of 7 head-to-head tests, but the Intel Core i5-4570TE is not a straightforward loser. The i7-2820QM dominates multi-threaded Cinebench workloads with margins between 37.8% and 38.6%, while the i5-4570TE counters with decisive single-core Geekbench victories, leading by 46.5% in that specific test. Both processors sit at the 29th percentile among all CPUs, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical — 1069 for the i7-2820QM versus 1062 for the i5-4570TE. The choice comes down to workload: the i7-2820QM for heavily threaded rendering, the i5-4570TE for tasks that favor newer architecture and higher single-thread performance.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split decision. For users running multi-threaded Cinebench workloads — content creation, 3D rendering, video encoding — the Intel Core i7-2820QM is the superior processor. It delivers 372 versus 270 in Cinebench R15 multicore, 1552 versus 1126 in R20 multicore, and 3697 versus 2681 in R23 multicore, each time outperforming the i5-4570TE by roughly 37.8-37.9%. The i7-2820QM's 4 cores and 8 threads give it a structural advantage in parallel workloads that the i5-4570TE's 2 cores and 4 threads cannot overcome, despite the latter's newer architecture.

However, the Intel Core i5-4570TE is the better pick for single-threaded performance in Geekbench. It scores 966 single-core versus the i7-2820QM's 517, a 46.5% advantage. The i5-4570TE also wins Geekbench multicore with 1857 versus 1623, a 12.6% margin. This suggests that for general desktop responsiveness, office productivity, and applications that rely on single-thread speed, the i5-4570TE is the more capable part. Both processors rank identically at the 29th percentile, and their average benchmark scores are within 0.7% of each other, so neither is a dominant overall choice.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-2820QM wins every Cinebench test in the head-to-head comparison. This includes R15 multicore (372 vs 270), R20 multicore (1552 vs 1126), R20 singlecore (219 vs 158), R23 multicore (3697 vs 2681), and R23 singlecore (522 vs 378). The margins are remarkably consistent, ranging from 37.8% to 38.6%. This pattern indicates that the i7-2820QM's advantage is not workload-specific within Cinebench but rather a fundamental throughput advantage, likely stemming from its doubled thread count (8 versus 4) and larger 8 MB shared L3 cache versus 4 MB.

The Intel Core i5-4570TE wins the two Geekbench tests. Its single-core score of 966 dwarfs the i7-2820QM's 517, and its multicore score of 1857 beats 1623. The single-core victory is particularly striking — the i5-4570TE is nearly twice as fast in this metric. This suggests that the i5-4570TE's Haswell architecture, despite having fewer cores, is significantly more efficient per core than the older Sandy Bridge design in the i7-2820QM. The i5-4570TE also has a higher base clock (2.70 GHz versus 2.30 GHz), which contributes to its single-thread lead.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and serve different market segments. The Intel Core i7-2820QM is a Sandy Bridge mobile chip, built on Intel's 32 nm process node with 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. It uses the Intel Socket G2 (988B) and features 4 cores, 8 threads, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. Its integrated graphics are Intel HD 3000. The i7-2820QM was released in January 2011 and is now end-of-life.

The Intel Core i5-4570TE is a Haswell desktop chip, fabricated on a more advanced 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a smaller 177 mm² die. It uses the Intel Socket 1150, has 2 cores, 4 threads, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Its integrated graphics are the newer Intel HD 4600. The i5-4570TE was released in June 2013 and supports DDR3 memory and PCIe Gen 3. Both processors have 64 KB L1 cache per core and 256 KB L2 cache per core, and neither supports ECC memory. The i7-2820QM has a higher TDP at 45 watts versus 35 watts for the i5-4570TE, and its boost clock is slightly higher at 3.40 GHz versus 3.30 GHz.

The core count and cache differences are the most significant architectural gaps. The i7-2820QM's 4 cores and 8 threads double the i5-4570TE's 2 cores and 4 threads, and its L3 cache is twice as large. However, the i5-4570TE's newer Haswell microarchitecture and smaller process node give it a per-core efficiency advantage that shows up clearly in single-threaded benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has better multi-threaded performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-2820QM wins all three multi-threaded Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23) with margins of 37.8-37.9%. It scores 372 vs 270 in R15 multicore, 1552 vs 1126 in R20 multicore, and 3697 vs 2681 in R23 multicore.

Q: Which processor is faster in single-threaded workloads?

A: The Intel Core i5-4570TE is faster in Geekbench single-core, scoring 966 versus the i7-2820QM's 517, a 46.5% advantage. However, the i7-2820QM wins Cinebench R20 singlecore (219 vs 158) and R23 singlecore (522 vs 378).

Q: How do their overall average scores compare?

A: The average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The Intel Core i7-2820QM averages 1069, while the Intel Core i5-4570TE averages 1062, a difference of only 0.7%.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i7-2820QM has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i5-4570TE has 2 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i7-2820QM has 8 MB of shared L3 cache, double the 4 MB found in the Intel Core i5-4570TE.

Q: What are the TDP ratings?

A: The Intel Core i7-2820QM has a TDP of 45 watts. The Intel Core i5-4570TE has a lower TDP of 35 watts.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest win for the Intel Core i7-2820QM comes in Cinebench R20 singlecore, where it scores 219 versus 158 for the i5-4570TE, a 38.6% margin. This is followed closely by Cinebench R23 singlecore at 38.1% (522 vs 378) and Cinebench R23 multicore at 37.9% (3697 vs 2681). The i7-2820QM also wins Cinebench R15 multicore and R20 multicore by 37.8% each (372 vs 270 and 1552 vs 1126, respectively).

The largest win for the Intel Core i5-4570TE is in Geekbench singlecore, where it scores 966 versus 517, a 46.5% advantage. It also wins Geekbench multicore with 1857 versus 1623, a 12.6% margin. These Geekbench results are the only tests the i5-4570TE wins, but they are substantial enough to bring its average benchmark score within 7 points of the i7-2820QM.

The pattern across these benchmarks is instructive. The i7-2820QM's wins range from 37.8% to 38.6% — tightly clustered, suggesting a consistent throughput advantage from its extra cores and threads. The i5-4570TE's wins are more variable: a 12.6% margin in multicore and a 46.5% margin in singlecore. This indicates that the i5-4570TE's architectural efficiency is most pronounced in single-threaded scenarios, while its multicore advantage is real but smaller.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification category. The Intel Core i7-2820QM uses the Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process node, while the Intel Core i5-4570TE uses the newer Haswell architecture on a 22 nm node. The i7-2820QM has 4 cores and 8 threads; the i5-4570TE has 2 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks differ: 2.30 GHz for the i7-2820QM versus 2.70 GHz for the i5-4570TE. Boost clocks are closer: 3.40 GHz versus 3.30 GHz.

Cache configuration differs significantly. Both have 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, but the i7-2820QM has 8 MB shared L3 cache versus 4 MB for the i5-4570TE. The i7-2820QM uses Intel Socket G2 (988B), while the i5-4570TE uses Intel Socket 1150. TDP ratings are 45 watts versus 35 watts. The i7-2820QM is a mobile part with Intel HD 3000 graphics; the i5-4570TE is a desktop part with Intel HD 4600 graphics. The i5-4570TE supports DDR3 memory and PCIe Gen 3, while the i7-2820QM has no memory support specification listed and no PCIe specification listed. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and neither supports ECC memory. The i7-2820QM was released in January 2011; the i5-4570TE in June 2013.