Intel Core i5-3470S

The Intel Core i5-3470S is a 4-core, 4-thread desktop processor built on the Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process. It operates at a 2.90 GHz base clock and a 3.60 GHz boost clock, drawing a 65 W TDP, and carries an average benchmark score of 1099, placing it in the 31st percentile of all CPUs tracked. With a die size of 133 mm² and a shared 6 MB L3 cache, this part represents a specific point in Intel's legacy lineup, balancing a modest power envelope with a locked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked: false).

Who Should Consider It

The data positions this processor for basic office productivity and legacy software environments. The Cinebench R23 single-core score of 526 and Geekbench single-core score of 599 indicate it can handle word processing, spreadsheet navigation, and web browsing with acceptable responsiveness for older operating systems. However, the 31st percentile ranking means it sits below the median of all CPUs in the database, so users should temper expectations for any modern multitasking.

For gaming, the integrated Intel HD 2500 graphics are present, but the benchmark scores do not suggest a capable gaming platform without a discrete GPU. Even with a dedicated graphics card, the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 3728 and Geekbench multicore score of 1726 will bottleneck modern titles that demand more than four threads. Light esports titles from the same era as the CPU's release would be the realistic ceiling.

Creation workloads are the weakest area. The 4-thread configuration severely limits rendering and video encoding, as evidenced by the multicore scores that are roughly seven times the single-core scores, yet still low in absolute terms. This CPU is best suited for a secondary machine, a home server running lightweight tasks, or a retro gaming rig paired with a period-appropriate GPU. It is not a sensible choice for contemporary content creation or high-refresh-rate gaming.

Power and Thermals

The 65 W TDP is the defining thermal characteristic of this processor. Combined with the 22 nm process node and a 133 mm² die size, this chip generates very little heat under sustained load. A capable air cooler, such as a low-profile stock-style unit, is entirely sufficient to maintain stable operation. The locked multiplier prevents manual overclocking, so there is no headroom for pushing voltage or clock speeds beyond the factory 3.60 GHz boost.

The small die size and low TDP make this an excellent candidate for compact desktop builds where airflow is restricted. The data shows a processor that runs cool and quiet, which is a distinct advantage for office environments or media centers. However, the 65 W TDP also means that performance is intentionally capped to meet this envelope, explaining why the multicore scores remain modest compared to higher-TDP rivals from the same generation.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score of 1099 places this processor in a tight cluster of rivals. The Intel Xeon E5-1603 v3 matches it exactly with a 0% delta, indicating identical average performance. The Intel Pentium G4620 scores 1100, giving it a 0.1% lead over the i5-3470S, while the AMD Ryzen 3 3250U and AMD PRO A10-8850B both score 1098, placing them 0.1% behind the i5-3470S.

Looking at specific workloads, the Cinebench R15 multicore score of 375 and single-core score of 52 reveal a scaling ratio of 7.2x. The R20 scores (multicore 1565, single-core 220) show a 7.1x ratio, and the R23 scores (multicore 3728, single-core 526) show a 7.1x ratio. This consistent scaling factor is interesting because it exceeds the theoretical 4x limit of a 4-core, 4-thread part, suggesting the single-core benchmark runs at a lower effective clock state or the multicore test leverages the boost clock more aggressively.

Geekbench scores of 1726 (multicore) and 599 (single-core) reinforce the position that this CPU is fundamentally a low-power, legacy part. The 0.1% deltas against its nearest rivals are statistically negligible, meaning any of these four CPUs would deliver nearly identical user experience in blind testing. The data shows that the i5-3470S is a baseline performer, not a standout in any metric.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the Intel Core i5-3470S use?

A: It uses the Intel Socket 1155.

Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory support is listed as false.

Q: What is the boost clock speed of the i5-3470S?

A: The boost clock is 3.60 GHz, with a base clock of 2.90 GHz.

Q: What integrated graphics does it include?

A: It includes Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics.

Q: How much L3 cache does the i5-3470S have?

A: It has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, with 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core.

Q: When was this processor released?

A: The release date is 2012-05-31.

How It Compares

Intel Xeon E5-1603 v3: This Xeon matches the i5-3470S exactly in average score (1099 vs 1099) with a 0% delta. The i5-3470S offers integrated graphics, which the Xeon lacks, but in raw compute, the data shows they are functionally identical. Users choosing between them would base the decision on platform features rather than performance.

Intel Pentium G4620: The Pentium G4620 scores 1100, putting it 0.1% ahead of the i5-3470S. This is a surprising result given the i5's four cores versus the Pentium's dual-core design, but the Pentium's higher clock speeds and newer architecture compensate. The i5-3470S trails by a fraction that is imperceptible in real-world use.

AMD Ryzen 3 3250U: The Ryzen 3 3250U scores 1098, placing it 0.1% behind the i5-3470S. This is notable because the Ryzen is a mobile processor, yet it nearly matches a desktop part from 2012. The i5-3470S maintains a razor-thin lead, but the Ryzen offers far better power efficiency in a laptop form factor.

AMD PRO A10-8850B: The PRO A10-8850B scores 1098, also 0.1% behind the i5-3470S. Both are legacy desktop parts, and the data indicates they are interchangeable in raw compute. The i5-3470S has a slight edge, but the A10 includes a more robust integrated GPU, which is not reflected in these CPU-only benchmarks.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread scores reveals a processor that is relatively stronger in multi-threaded tasks than its single-core numbers suggest. The R23 single-core score of 526 is low, but the multicore score of 3728 yields a ratio of 7.1x. This ratio is consistent across R15 (7.2x), R20 (7.1x), and R23 (7.1x), indicating that the four physical cores are being utilized efficiently without Hyper-Threading.

For real workloads, this means that applications which can spread across all four cores, such as older video encoders or batch file processors, will see better scaling than expected from the low single-core figure. Conversely, single-threaded applications like legacy database queries or older games will be limited by the 526 R23 single-core score. The absence of Hyper-Threading (4 threads total) caps the absolute multi-threaded throughput, so heavily threaded modern applications will still struggle. The data suggests a CPU that punches slightly above its weight in parallel tasks but falls short in latency-sensitive, single-threaded scenarios.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-3470S is built for the Intel Socket 1155 platform, which limits upgrades to other Sandy Bridge or Ivy Bridge parts. It supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, without ECC, which is typical for consumer desktop boards of that era. PCIe connectivity is Gen 3 with 16 lanes available from the CPU, providing adequate bandwidth for a single graphics card.

The integrated Intel HD 2500 graphics handle basic display output, but the 16 PCIe lanes are the primary interface for any discrete GPU. The 65 W TDP ensures compatibility with a wide range of motherboards and power supplies, though the platform itself is now over a decade old. Users building a new system should note that DDR3 memory is obsolete, and the lack of modern I/O (like NVMe support natively) means this CPU is best suited for refurbished or existing Socket 1155 motherboards rather than fresh builds. The locked multiplier further restricts tuning, making platform compatibility the only real flexibility this processor offers.