CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3470 vs Intel Core i5-3570K
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3470 is a quad-core desktop processor from the Ivy Bridge family, offering solid mainstream performance with a 3.2 GHz base clock, 3.6 GHz turbo, and 77W TDP for budget-conscious builders.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Quad-core performance handles basic office tasks but struggles with modern multitasking and heavy productivity workloads.
Handles office apps fine, but struggles with heavy modern web scripts.
Gaming
When paired with a modern GPU, the i5-3470 can handle very light or older games, but the lack of threads creates significant bottlenecks in modern titles.
Overclocked, it can handle older games well, but bottlenecks modern GPUs heavily.
Virtualization
Four cores without Hyper-Threading provide basic virtualization capability but are limited by today's standards.
Basic VM capability, but limited by 4 threads.
Efficiency
The 77W TDP was reasonable for 2012 but is inefficient compared to modern quad-core processors that consume half the power.
Efficiency drops significantly when overclocked due to 22nm thermal limits.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Quad-core design insufficient for modern AI workloads
- Not applicable for this processor generation
- No AI hardware
- Unsuitable for modern AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Four cores without Hyper-Threading limit frame rates in modern games
- PCIe 3.0 x16 provides adequate GPU bandwidth
- HD 2500 integrated graphics are insufficient for gaming
- CPU bottleneck in modern AAA titles even with mid-range GPUs
- Requires a dedicated GPU
- Can still run eSports titles at low settings when overclocked
- PCIe 3.0 support helps with GPU compatibility
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Four physical cores for mainstream multi-threaded workloads
- 6MB shared L3 cache improves performance over dual-core models
- PCIe 3.0 support for full-bandwidth GPU connectivity
- vPro support for enterprise management
- Affordable on the used market for legacy builds
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded performance
- 77W TDP is inefficient by modern standards
- HD 2500 integrated graphics are very weak
- LGA 1155 platform is end-of-life with no upgrade path
- No Windows 11 support
- DDR3 memory is obsolete
Pros
- Unlocked multiplier for overclocking
- Intel HD 4000 graphics
- Supports PCIe 3.0
- True 4 physical cores
Cons
- Obsolete 22nm process
- Uses thermal paste under IHS, limiting thermal transfer
- Weak integrated graphics for modern gaming
- Uses DDR3 memory
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-3470
- AMD FX-6300Rival
Desktop Mainstream
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Desktop Enthusiast
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570KRival
Desktop Enthusiast
- AMD A10-5800KRival
Desktop Mainstream
- Intel Core i3-3220Rival
Desktop Budget
Haswell successor with AVX2 support and slightly better IPC.
Compare head-to-headModern 4-thread processor with dramatically better IPC, DDR4/DDR5, and platform features.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Six-core, twelve-thread modern processor at similar used pricing with vastly superior performance.
- Intel Core i5-12400FAlt
Modern 6-core budget processor that outperforms the i5-3470 in every metric at low cost.
- AMD Ryzen 3 4100Alt
Budget quad-core with SMT on a modern platform with DDR4 support.
Intel Core i5-3570K
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-6100Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2500KRival
Desktop
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Desktop
Vastly superior modern quad-core with hyper-threading.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Excellent value used hex-core.
Slightly faster Haswell alternative for a newer socket.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 4100Alt
Budget modern alternative.
Our Verdict on Each
The i5-3470 was a reliable mainstream quad-core in 2012, but its lack of Hyper-Threading, outdated platform, and DDR3 memory make it obsolete for modern builds.
Best for: Maintaining an existing legacy system for basic office or web tasks
Read the full reviewA legendary overclocker's dream in its day, the 3570K still holds nostalgic value and can handle basic tasks, though it's obsolete for modern gaming.
Best for: The Core i5-3570K is obsolete and should not be considered for a new build. However, it holds niche value for enthusiasts looking to build a retro gaming rig or experiment with overclocking on a budget. If you already own a Z77 or Z75 motherboard, finding a used 3570K can be a fun, cheap project. Overclocked to 4.2-4.5 GHz, it can still handle older games and basic computing tasks. However, its lack of modern instruction sets and DDR3 support makes it irrelevant for modern workloads. Do not spend more than a few dollars on this chip. For any new system, a modern Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 will offer vastly superior performance and efficiency out of the box.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3470 or Intel Core i5-3570K?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3570K comes out ahead with a score of 7/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-3470 or Intel Core i5-3570K?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3570K leads with a gaming performance score of 45/100 among Intel Core i5-3470 and Intel Core i5-3570K.
Do Intel Core i5-3470 and Intel Core i5-3570K use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3470: LGA 1155, Intel Core i5-3570K: Intel Socket 1155 (LGA1155)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3470 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3470 (7,100), Intel Core i5-3570K (6,300). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.