Intel Core i5-3570

The Intel Core i5-3570 is a quad-core desktop processor from the Ivy Bridge generation, released in 2012. It operates at a base clock of 3.40 GHz and a boost clock of 3.80 GHz, with a 77W TDP. The chip integrates an Intel HD 2500 GPU and supports DDR3 memory on a dual-channel bus. In the benchmark database, the i5-3570 holds an average benchmark score of 1214, placing it in the 34th percentile of all CPUs. This position reflects a processor that was mid-range at launch but has since been surpassed by newer architectures. Its nearest rivals—the Intel Core i3-7300T, AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G, Intel Core i7-3612QE, and Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3—all cluster within a fraction of a percent of its average score, indicating that the i5-3570 remains competitive with a specific set of low-power and older chips.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The Cinebench results reveal a clear distinction between single-threaded and multi-threaded performance. In Cinebench R23, the i5-3570 scores 592 in the single-core test and 4199 in the multi-core test. The R20 run shows a similar pattern: 248 single-core and 1763 multi-core. The R15 numbers are 59 single-core and 423 multi-core. These scores demonstrate that the processor’s multi-threaded throughput is roughly seven times its single-threaded output—a ratio that is typical for a four-core, four-thread design without simultaneous multithreading. Because the chip has exactly four cores and four threads, each core handles one thread, so scaling from one to four threads is nearly linear. However, the lack of hyper-threading means that any workload that can use more than four threads will see no additional benefit from the CPU itself.

For real-world applications, this split implies that the i5-3570 handles single-threaded tasks—such as older games, office applications, and web browsing—with modest efficiency. The single-core score of 592 in R23 is not competitive with modern processors, which often exceed 1000 points, but it is sufficient for basic productivity. Multi-threaded workloads, such as video encoding, 3D rendering, or compiling, will engage all four cores and yield a noticeable performance boost over a dual-core part. The 4199-point R23 multi-core score places it in the lower tier of modern desktop CPUs, but it can still complete moderate rendering tasks without excessive delays. The gap between single and multi scores is not as large as on higher-core-count chips, because the i5-3570 cannot leverage extra threads beyond its physical cores. Thus, users who rely on heavily threaded applications will find the scaling limited, while those who run a mix of light and medium workloads will see balanced performance.

Power and Thermals

The i5-3570 carries a 77W TDP, which is a moderate figure for a desktop processor from its era. The chip is fabricated on Intel’s 22 nm process, with a die size of 160 mm² and 1,400 million transistors. This manufacturing node was a significant step forward in power efficiency compared to earlier 32 nm parts, allowing the i5-3570 to deliver its clock speeds while staying within a reasonable thermal envelope. The 77W TDP means that a standard air cooler—such as the stock cooler that shipped with the processor—is sufficient for normal operation. Enthusiasts seeking lower noise or lower temperatures could use a more capable aftermarket cooler, but the chip does not demand extreme cooling solutions. The integrated Intel HD 2500 graphics also contribute to the overall heat output, but the iGPU is modest and does not add a substantial thermal load.

In practice, the 77W TDP places the i5-3570 in the mainstream desktop class, comparable to many modern mid-range processors that also draw around 65–80W. The 22 nm process helps keep thermals in check even under sustained load, and the chip does not exhibit the high power draw seen in high-end desktop parts. For system builders, this means that a standard ATX power supply and a basic tower cooler are adequate. The lack of an unlocked multiplier (multiplierUnlocked: false) prevents overclocking, so the power and thermal characteristics are fixed by the stock settings. The end-of-life production status indicates that this CPU is no longer manufactured, but its thermal profile remains relevant for those using it in legacy systems.

Who Should Consider It

Based on benchmark data, the i5-3570 is best suited for users who need a functional quad-core processor for everyday tasks and light content creation. The 34th percentile standing shows that it outperforms about a third of all CPUs in the database, which includes many low-power and older models. Its average benchmark score of 1214 is nearly identical to that of the Intel Core i3-7300T (1213) and the AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G (1215), indicating that the i5-3570 offers similar performance to those low-TDP parts. For office work—word processing, spreadsheets, email, and web browsing—the single-core score of 592 in R23 is more than adequate, and the four cores can handle light multitasking without slowdowns.

For gaming, the i5-3570 can run older titles and esports games at playable framerates, but modern AAA games that rely on higher single-thread performance will likely be bottlenecked. The 3.80 GHz boost clock helps in single-threaded scenarios, but the architecture is from 2012, and its IPC is far behind current designs. Content creation tasks that are not heavily threaded, such as photo editing or light video editing, will run acceptably, but the 4-thread limit becomes a constraint for 3D rendering or heavy video encoding. The integrated HD 2500 graphics are only suitable for basic display output; any demanding graphics workload requires a discrete GPU. The i5-3570 is a reasonable choice for a budget secondary PC, a home server, or a retro gaming rig, provided the user pairs it with a dedicated graphics card. Its end-of-life status means that new copies are not available, but used units can be found at low prices—though this analysis does not address cost.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-3570 uses the Intel Socket 1155, which was introduced with the Sandy Bridge generation and continued into Ivy Bridge. The platform supports DDR3 memory in a dual-channel configuration, with a maximum memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. This bandwidth is lower than what modern DDR4 and DDR5 platforms offer, but it is sufficient for the CPU’s capabilities. The memory controller does not support ECC memory, so the chip is not suited for mission-critical servers that require error correction. For PCIe, the CPU provides 16 Gen 3 lanes, which are allocated to a discrete graphics card or other high-bandwidth devices. This is the first generation of Intel desktop processors to support PCIe Gen 3, and it remains compatible with most modern GPUs, though the bandwidth is shared with other devices.

The integrated graphics are Intel HD 2500, which supports basic display output and hardware video decoding for common codecs of the era, but it lacks the performance for gaming or GPU-accelerated workloads. The socket 1155 platform has no upgrade path to newer processors, as Intel moved to Socket 1150 with the Haswell generation. The production status is end-of-life, meaning that Intel no longer manufactures or supports this CPU. The launch MSRP was $194, which is a single data point and does not reflect current market pricing. For system builders, the platform requires DDR3 memory, which is now outdated and often more expensive than equivalent DDR4 modules. The PCIe Gen 3 support is a plus, but the lack of modern features such as NVMe boot (which is not specified in the pack) is a limitation. Overall, the i5-3570 is best used in a system where the motherboard and memory are already available, rather than as a new build.

How It Compares

The i5-3570’s average benchmark score of 1214 places it in a tight cluster of four rivals, all within a few points. The nearest competitor is the Intel Core i3-7300T, which scores 1213. The i5-3570 is 0.1% ahead of the i3-7300T, a negligible difference. The i3-7300T is a dual-core with hyper-threading, but its higher clock speeds and newer architecture allow it to match the quad-core i5-3570 in overall benchmarks. For single-threaded tasks, the i3-7300T may actually feel snappier, but the i5-3570’s four physical cores give it an advantage in multi-threaded workloads that can use more than two threads. In practice, the two CPUs are interchangeable for most applications.

The AMD Ryzen Embedded R1606G is another close rival, with an average score of 1215, meaning the i5-3570 is 0.1% behind. The R1606G is a low-power embedded processor with two cores and four threads, but it includes a more capable Radeon Vega graphics solution. In CPU-heavy tasks, the i5-3570 holds its own, but the R1606G’s integrated GPU makes it a better choice for compact systems that do not have a discrete graphics card. The i5-3570, with its HD 2500, is far weaker in graphics.

The Intel Core i7-3612QE scores 1211, giving the i5-3570 a 0.2% advantage. The i7-3612QE is a quad-core, eight-thread mobile processor with a lower base clock, but its hyper-threading allows it to handle more concurrent threads. Despite that, the i5-3570’s higher clock speeds and desktop power envelope result in a slightly higher average score. In multi-threaded benchmarks that scale with thread count, the i7-3612QE might win, but the i5-3570’s single-core performance is stronger.

Finally, the Intel Xeon E5-1607 v3 scores 1217, making the i5-3570 0.3% slower. The Xeon is a quad-core, four-thread server processor based on the Haswell architecture, with a higher TDP and support for ECC memory (though the pack does not specify ECC for this Xeon). The E5-1607 v3 has a similar core/thread configuration but a newer design, giving it a slight edge. In absolute terms, the i5-3570 and all four rivals are within 0.3% of each other, which is effectively a statistical tie. The choice between them would come down to platform features, power consumption, and integrated graphics, rather than raw CPU performance. The i5-3570’s 34th percentile rank underscores that it is an average performer in the current CPU landscape, but its proximity to these specific rivals shows that it remains viable in a niche of low-cost or legacy systems.