Intel Core i5-5675R vs Intel Core i7-970 Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark database presents a clear split between these two Intel desktop processors. The Intel Core i7-970 wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark, taking all six comparisons across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests. The i7-970 leads by a consistent margin of roughly 15% across all workloads. If the priority is raw compute performance, the i7-970 is the choice based on the data.

However, the i5-5675R should not be dismissed outright. It is a 14 nm Broadwell part with a 65 W TDP, making it substantially more power-efficient on paper than the 32 nm Westmere i7-970, which carries a 130 W TDP. The i5-5675R also includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200 integrated graphics, while the i7-970 has no integrated graphics at all. For a system that needs a built-in display output or lower power draw, the i5-5675R is the practical pick.

The i7-970 belongs to a legacy platform (Intel Socket 1366) and is marked end-of-life in the database. The i5-5675R is on Intel BGA 1364 and remains active in production status. Buyers building a new system today should weigh the i7-970's performance advantage against its older platform and higher power requirement. The i7-970 wins on speed; the i5-5675R wins on efficiency, integrated graphics, and modern platform status.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of Intel's design roadmap. The i5-5675R uses the Broadwell architecture on a 14 nm process node, with a die size of 182 mm². The i7-970 uses the Westmere architecture, codenamed Gulftown, on a 32 nm process node, with a larger die size of 239 mm² and 1,170 million transistors. The process node difference is significant: 14 nm versus 32 nm means the i5-5675R has a substantially denser transistor layout, which contributes to its lower 65 W TDP compared to the i7-970's 130 W TDP.

Core and thread counts favor the i7-970. The i7-970 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the i5-5675R has 4 cores and 4 threads. This is a fundamental architectural gap: the i7-970 can handle twice as many threads simultaneously, which explains its multi-core benchmark advantage. The i5-5675R has no hyper-threading, so each core handles exactly one thread.

Cache configurations differ sharply. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache is where they diverge: the i5-5675R has 4 MB shared, while the i7-970 has 12 MB shared. That triple-size L3 cache gives the i7-970 a substantial buffer for frequently accessed data, which helps in multi-threaded workloads.

Socket and platform support are entirely different. The i5-5675R uses Intel BGA 1364, a ball-grid array socket that is soldered to the motherboard, while the i7-970 uses Intel Socket 1366, a traditional LGA socket. The i5-5675R supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-970 supports only PCIe Gen 2. Memory support: both use DDR3, but the i5-5675R runs dual-channel with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-970 runs triple-channel with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Integrated graphics is a major differentiator. The i5-5675R includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200, a capable integrated GPU. The i7-970 has no integrated graphics listed, meaning a discrete graphics card is mandatory for any display output. The i5-5675R also has a lower base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, while the i7-970 runs at 3.20 GHz base and 3.47 GHz boost. The i7-970's higher base clock helps in lightly threaded tasks, but its lower boost clock relative to base is notable.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher multi-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i7-970 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 562 versus the i5-5675R's 476, a 15.3% lead. In R20 multi-core, it scores 2342 versus 1987, and in R23 multi-core, it scores 5577 versus 4733, both with a 15.2% and 15.1% lead respectively.

Q: Is the i5-5675R better for single-core workloads?

A: No, the data does not support that. The i7-970 wins every single-core test recorded. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7-970 scores 79 versus 67, a 15.2% lead. In R20 single-core, it scores 330 versus 280, and in R23 single-core, it scores 787 versus 668. The i7-970 is consistently faster even in single-threaded tasks.

Q: Can the i5-5675R run without a discrete graphics card?

A: Yes. The i5-5675R includes Iris Pro Graphics 6200 integrated graphics, so it can provide display output on its own. The i7-970 has no integrated graphics, so it requires a separate graphics card for any video output.

Q: Which processor has lower power consumption?

A: The i5-5675R has a 65 W TDP, which is half of the i7-970's 130 W TDP. This makes the i5-5675R the clear choice for power-constrained or compact builds, though the i7-970's higher TDP reflects its additional cores and threads.

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: Both support DDR3 memory. The i5-5675R uses a dual-channel memory bus with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth, while the i7-970 uses a triple-channel memory bus. The bandwidth for the i7-970 is not recorded in the database.

Q: Is the i7-970 still in production?

A: No. The database lists the i7-970 as end-of-life, while the i5-5675R is listed as active. The i7-970 was released in July 2010, and the i5-5675R was released in May 2015.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors in the database:

• Cores: i5-5675R has 4 cores; i7-970 has 6 cores.
• Threads: i5-5675R has 4 threads; i7-970 has 12 threads.
• Base clock: i5-5675R at 3.10 GHz; i7-970 at 3.20 GHz.
• Boost clock: i5-5675R at 3.60 GHz; i7-970 at 3.47 GHz.
• TDP: i5-5675R at 65 W; i7-970 at 130 W.
• Socket: i5-5675R on Intel BGA 1364; i7-970 on Intel Socket 1366.
• Architecture: i5-5675R on Broadwell; i7-970 on Westmere.
• Codename: i5-5675R codename Broadwell; i7-970 codename Gulftown.
• Process node: i5-5675R at 14 nm; i7-970 at 32 nm.
• Transistors: i5-5675R has no recorded transistor count; i7-970 has 1,170 million.
• Die size: i5-5675R at 182 mm²; i7-970 at 239 mm².
• L3 cache: i5-5675R has 4 MB shared; i7-970 has 12 MB shared.
• Memory bus: i5-5675R dual-channel; i7-970 triple-channel.
• Memory bandwidth: i5-5675R at 29.9 GB/s; i7-970 has no recorded bandwidth.
• PCIe: i5-5675R Gen 3 with 16 lanes; i7-970 Gen 2.
• Integrated graphics: i5-5675R has Iris Pro Graphics 6200; i7-970 has none.
• Production status: i5-5675R active; i7-970 end-of-life.
• Release date: i5-5675R May 2015; i7-970 July 2010.
• Launch MSRP: i5-5675R at $265; i7-970 has no recorded launch MSRP.
• Part number: i5-5675R SR2AJ; i7-970 SLBVF.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are one-sided. The i7-970 wins all six recorded benchmark comparisons, with delta percentages hovering around 15% across every test.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i7-970 scores 562 against the i5-5675R's 476. That is a 15.3% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar gap: 79 versus 67, a 15.2% lead. These are the only two R15 tests recorded.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the i7-970 scores 2342 in multi-core versus 1987, a 15.2% delta. In single-core R20, it scores 330 versus 280, again a 15.2% lead. The consistency of these margins suggests a fixed performance gap that carries across workload types.

Cinebench R23 shows the same pattern. Multi-core: 5577 versus 4733, a 15.1% delta. Single-core: 787 versus 668, also 15.1%. The i7-970 is faster in every category, and the margin barely moves regardless of the test generation or thread count.

The i5-5675R has two additional Geekbench scores in its own benchmark list: a multi-core score of 3738 and a single-core score of 1234. The i7-970 does not have Geekbench scores recorded, so no direct comparison is possible there. However, the Cinebench results are enough to establish the overall performance hierarchy.

The average benchmark scores tell a broader story. The i5-5675R has an average benchmark score of 1648, while the i7-970 has an average of 1613. This is a curious result: the i5-5675R has a slightly higher average despite losing every head-to-head test. This is likely because the i5-5675R includes Geekbench scores that are not available for the i7-970, pulling its average upward. The percentile rankings are close: the i5-5675R sits at the 40th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-970 sits at the 39th. The nearest rivals for the i5-5675R include the Intel Core i7-4810MQ at an average score of 1651, a 0.2% difference, and the AMD Ryzen 5 3550H at 1653, a 0.3% difference. The i7-970's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-10610U at 1611, a 0.2% difference, and the Intel Core i3-9100T at 1620, a 0.5% difference.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-970 wins in every recorded compute benchmark. If the workload is CPU-bound, the i7-970 is the stronger processor across both single-threaded and multi-threaded applications. The six-core, twelve-thread configuration with 12 MB of L3 cache delivers a consistent 15% edge over the i5-5675R in Cinebench tests. This makes it the pick for rendering, video encoding, compilation, or any task that scales with thread count. Its higher base clock of 3.20 GHz also helps in lightly threaded scenarios, as evidenced by its single-core wins.

The i5-5675R wins in system-level practicality. Its 65 W TDP is a major advantage for small-form-factor builds, all-in-one systems, or any environment where heat and power are constrained. The integrated Iris Pro Graphics 6200 means no discrete GPU is required for basic display output, which simplifies the build and reduces component count. Its active production status and 14 nm process node indicate a more modern platform, and its BGA 1364 socket, while not upgradeable, is designed for compact, soldered implementations. The dual-channel DDR3 with 29.9 GB/s bandwidth is sufficient for typical desktop workloads.

For a user who already has a discrete graphics card and cares about maximum CPU throughput, the i7-970 is the obvious choice. For a user building a compact, low-power system that does not need peak multi-core performance, the i5-5675R offers a better fit. The database shows a clear tradeoff: raw performance belongs to the i7-970, while efficiency and integration belong to the i5-5675R. The i7-970's end-of-life status and 130 W TDP are real drawbacks, but they do not change the benchmark results, which favor it across the board.