CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3470 vs Intel Core i5-3570T
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.
Quad cores handle office apps, but the low base clock limits responsiveness.
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.
Low base clock and HD 2500 make it unsuitable for gaming.
Virtualization
Four cores without Hyper-Threading provide basic virtualization capability but are limited by today's standards.
Can run basic VMs, but clock speeds are a limiting factor.
Efficiency
The 77W TDP was reasonable for 2012 but is inefficient compared to modern quad-core processors that consume half the power.
Excellent performance-per-watt for a 2012 desktop chip.
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
- Integrated graphics too weak
- Low base clock limits frame rates
- Needs a dedicated GPU for any real gaming
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- DDR3 memory is obsolete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
- Very low 45W TDP
- True 4 physical cores
- Good for basic home servers
- Runs very cool
Cons
- Low base clock of 2.3 GHz
- Obsolete DDR3 memory
- Weak HD 2500 graphics
- Locked multiplier
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 i5-3570T
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570SRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570Rival
Desktop
- AMD A8-5500Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i3-3225Rival
Desktop
- AMD A10-5700Rival
Desktop
Slightly faster Haswell alternative.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Pentium G3220Alt
Cheaper basic desktop alternative if power isn't a concern.
- AMD Ryzen 3 2200GEAlt
Modern low-power quad-core alternative.
- Intel N100Alt
Massively more efficient for basic tasks.
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 reviewAn efficient low-power chip for its time, but its low base clock and obsolete platform make it irrelevant for modern use.
Best for: The Core i5-3570T should only be considered if you are upgrading an older LGA 1155 system or building a very low-power home server from salvaged parts. Its 45W TDP and quad-core design make it decent for a DIY NAS or a pfSense router. However, its low base clock of 2.3 GHz makes it sluggish for modern web browsing and everyday multitasking. It is completely unsuited for gaming without a dedicated GPU, and even then, the low clock speeds will bottleneck older titles. Do not spend much money on this processor. If you are building a new system, even the lowest-tier modern Intel N100 or Athlon 3000G will offer vastly superior single-thread performance, efficiency, and modern I/O features.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3470 or Intel Core i5-3570T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3570T comes out ahead with a score of 5.5/10. 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 i5-3570T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3570T leads with a gaming performance score of 25/100 among Intel Core i5-3470 and Intel Core i5-3570T.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-3570T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-3470 (77 W), Intel Core i5-3570T (45 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3470 and Intel Core i5-3570T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3470: LGA 1155, Intel Core i5-3570T: 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 i5-3570T (5,200). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.