Intel Core i5-3470

The Intel Core i5-3470 is a desktop processor from Intel’s Ivy Bridge generation, built on a 22 nm process. It packs 4 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.60 GHz, under a 77 W TDP. The chip integrates Intel HD 2500 graphics, supports DDR3 memory via a dual-channel interface with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, and connects through Intel Socket 1155. In the benchmark database, it holds an average score of 7559, placing it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its launch MSRP was $184.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The i5-3470’s benchmark results reveal a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, it scores 560 points in the single-core test and 3966 in the multi-core test. The R20 run shows 235 single-core and 1665 multi-core, while R15 yields 56 single-core and 399 multi-core. These numbers indicate that the processor’s single-thread capability is respectable for its generation, but its multi-thread throughput is limited by having only 4 physical threads.

The PassMark suite reinforces this picture. The single-thread score is 1935, while the multithread score reaches 4669. The gap between these two is substantial, suggesting that the CPU scales modestly when additional threads are used. In contrast, tasks that rely heavily on one core—such as legacy games, certain productivity apps, or lightly threaded software—will see performance closer to the single-thread figures. The multi-core results, however, show that workloads like video encoding, 3D rendering, or scientific simulations that can use all cores will not benefit from hyper-threading, as the i5-3470 lacks simultaneous multithreading.

The data also shows specific PassMark sub-scores. Data compression scores 73224, which is relatively strong, while data encryption only manages 1189. Floating point math hits 10871, integer math 14840, and extended instructions 3548. Find prime numbers returns 28, physics 378, and random string sorting 9004. These figures indicate that the CPU handles arithmetic and sorting tasks reasonably well, but encryption and prime-number operations are weak points. For real-world use, this means the i5-3470 is better suited to general office work, spreadsheet calculations, and light media tasks than to heavy cryptographic workloads or parallel number-crunching.

Who Should Consider It

Given its benchmark profile, the i5-3470 is best suited for users whose workloads are primarily single-threaded or lightly threaded. Office productivity—word processing, email, web browsing, and spreadsheet management—will run smoothly, as these applications rarely stress more than one or two cores. The integrated Intel HD 2500 graphics can handle basic display output and 2D acceleration, but it is not designed for gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks.

For gaming, the single-thread score of 1935 in PassMark suggests that older or less demanding titles may run acceptably, especially with a discrete GPU. However, modern games that rely on multiple threads will see performance bottlenecks because of the 4-thread ceiling. The multi-core Cinebench R23 score of 3966 is low by current standards, indicating that heavy rendering, video editing, or 3D modeling workloads will take significantly longer than on more modern processors.

The i5-3470 also lacks ECC memory support, so it is not appropriate for servers or workstations that require error-correcting memory. Its production status is end-of-life, meaning it is no longer manufactured or sold new. Users building a new system today would find the platform outdated, but for those with an existing Socket 1155 motherboard, the i5-3470 can serve as a functional upgrade from lower-end dual-core parts. It is also a viable option for budget-conscious users who already own compatible DDR3 memory and a 1155 board, though no pricing information is available here beyond the launch MSRP.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-3470 uses Intel Socket 1155, a platform that supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The memory bus provides 25.6 GB/s of bandwidth, which is modest compared to modern DDR4 and DDR5 systems. The processor offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, sufficient for a single high-end graphics card or a few NVMe drives, though the platform itself may not support the latest PCIe 4.0 or 5.0 devices.

The integrated graphics is Intel HD 2500, which provides basic display output but lacks the performance of even entry-level discrete GPUs. The processor has a locked multiplier, so overclocking is not possible. ECC memory is not supported, and the chip is marked as end-of-life, meaning Intel no longer produces it. For upgrade path, users are limited to other Socket 1155 processors from the Ivy Bridge or Sandy Bridge families, but no specific models are listed in the available data. The platform’s age means that memory capacity and bandwidth are capped, and newer interfaces like USB 3.2 or Thunderbolt are not natively available.

How It Compares

The i5-3470 sits in a tight cluster of processors based on average benchmark scores. Its average score of 7559 is nearly identical to the AMD EPYC 7371, which scores 7568. The delta of -0.1% means the EPYC 7371 is marginally ahead, but the difference is negligible. In practice, the two would perform within the margin of error in most tests.

Against the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, the i5-3470 is 1.1% faster, with the Core Ultra scoring 7479. This is a surprising result given the Core Ultra’s newer architecture, but the average score reflects a mix of workloads, and the i5-3470’s single-thread performance helps it edge ahead.

The Intel Xeon Platinum 8260 scores 7460, leaving the i5-3470 1.3% ahead. Similarly, the Xeon Platinum 8180M scores 7452, with the i5-3470 leading by 1.4%. These Xeon parts are server-class processors, but their average scores are slightly lower in this database, likely due to the benchmark suite favoring the i5-3470’s higher single-thread performance.

Benchmark Performance

The i5-3470’s average benchmark score of 7559 places it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. Its nearest rival, the AMD EPYC 7371, is effectively tied, with a delta of -0.1%. The i5-3470 outperforms the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H by 1.1%, the Xeon Platinum 8260 by 1.3%, and the Xeon Platinum 8180M by 1.4%. These deltas are small, indicating that the i5-3470 is competitive with these much newer and higher-end processors in the specific benchmark suite used here.

However, the average score masks the underlying single-thread vs multi-thread differences. The i5-3470’s Cinebench R23 single-core score of 560 is strong for its era, but its multi-core score of 3966 is far below what modern 8-core or 16-core processors achieve. The PassMark single-thread score of 1935 is respectable, while the multithread score of 4669 shows the limitation of having only 4 threads. In workloads that scale well with cores, the i5-3470 will fall behind the rival Xeon and EPYC parts, which likely have many more cores. But in single-threaded tasks, the i5-3470 holds its own, which explains why its average score is so close to those much more expensive server chips.

The data also shows that the i5-3470 excels in specific PassMark sub-tests. Data compression scores 73224, which is a strong result, and random string sorting hits 9004. Integer math (14840) and floating point math (10871) are moderate, while encryption (1189) and prime number finding (28) are weak. These results suggest that the CPU is well-balanced for everyday computing but lacks the specialized throughput needed for encryption-heavy or massively parallel workloads. Overall, the i5-3470 remains a competent processor for its intended market, and its benchmark standing relative to much newer rivals confirms the efficiency of the Ivy Bridge architecture.