CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-3470S vs Intel Core i3-12100T
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-3470S is a power-optimized quad-core desktop processor from the Ivy Bridge family, featuring a 65W TDP and 2.9 GHz base clock for thermally constrained desktop systems.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Quad-core performance handles basic office tasks well but struggles with modern multitasking demands.
Good for everyday office tasks. The 28-second PL2 window helps with bursty workloads, but long-running tasks are hampered by the low base clock.
Gaming
Same gaming limitations as the i5-3470 — four threads without Hyper-Threading create bottlenecks in modern titles.
The CPU can handle budget gaming when paired with a discrete GPU, but the reduced base clock means lower 1% low frame rates compared to the standard i3-12100 in CPU-bound scenarios.
Virtualization
Four cores without Hyper-Threading provide basic virtualization capability.
Can run 2-3 lightweight VMs, but 4 cores at 35W limits the practical number of concurrent heavy workloads.
Efficiency
The 65W TDP is more efficient than the 77W i5-3470, though modern processors deliver much more performance per watt.
Strong performance per watt for desktop use. The 35W TDP results in very low electricity costs for always-on systems.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Not applicable for this processor generation
- Insufficient compute for AI workloads
- No AI acceleration hardware
- 4 cores at 35W are insufficient for practical AI inference
- Not targeted at AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Same turbo boost as i5-3470 for burst gaming performance
- Four threads limit modern gaming capability
- HD 2500 integrated graphics insufficient for gaming
- Lower base clock slightly reduces minimum frame rates compared to i5-3470
- Needs a discrete GPU for any meaningful gaming
- CPU performance is sufficient for mid-range GPU pairing
- Lower base clock can cause occasional frame dips in CPU-heavy games
- PCIe 5.0 ensures no GPU bandwidth bottleneck
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- 65W TDP for cooler and quieter operation
- Same 3.6 GHz turbo boost as i5-3470
- Full 6MB L3 cache preserved
- Good for small form factor builds
- PCIe 3.0 support
Cons
- Lower base clock than i5-3470 (2.9 vs 3.2 GHz)
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded performance
- HD 2500 integrated graphics are weak
- End-of-life LGA 1155 platform
- No Windows 11 support
- DDR3 memory is obsolete
Pros
- 35W TDP enables very compact and quiet builds
- Supports all LGA 1700 consumer chipsets
- Strong single-thread IPC from Golden Cove cores
- PCIe 5.0 support for future-proofing
- Low launch price of $122
- UHD Graphics 730 for display without dGPU
Cons
- 2.2 GHz base clock is 33% lower than standard i3-12100
- No E-Cores for background task offloading
- Sustained multi-threaded performance is noticeably limited
- Not a strong value proposition over the standard i3-12100 for most users
- Limited upgrade path within T-series
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-3470S
- AMD FX-6300Rival
Desktop Mainstream
- AMD A10-5700Rival
Desktop Low Power
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3470Rival
Desktop Mainstream
- Intel Core i3-3220Rival
Desktop Budget
- AMD A8-5500Rival
Desktop Budget
Haswell successor with better IPC and AVX2 support at the same 65W TDP.
Compare head-to-headModern 6-core low-power processor with dramatically better performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GEAlt
Efficient 6-core, 12-thread processor for modern SFF builds.
Modern low-power 4-thread processor with superior IPC and platform features.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 4300GEAlt
Budget quad-core low-power processor for modern compact systems.
Intel Core i3-12100T
- AMD Ryzen 3 4100Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 3400GERival
Low-Power Desktop
- AMD Athlon 3000GRival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i3-10105TRival
Previous Generation
- AMD Ryzen 3 4300GERival
Low-Power Desktop
For just $3 more at launch, the standard variant offers 50% higher base clock and significantly better sustained performance.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i5-12400TAlt
6-core low-power alternative if you need more multi-threaded performance in a SFF build.
If building an embedded system, the TE variant offers the same performance with guaranteed long-term availability.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
If power isn't strictly constrained, a Ryzen 5 5600 offers dramatically better multi-threaded performance at a competitive price.
Our Verdict on Each
The i5-3470S offered a good balance of power efficiency and quad-core performance in 2012, but its outdated platform and lack of modern features make it obsolete today.
Best for: Maintaining an existing SFF desktop for basic computing tasks
Read the full reviewA solid choice for SFF and low-noise desktop builds that balances the excellent Alder Lake single-core IPC with a modest 35W power envelope, though the standard i3-12100 offers notably better sustained performance for minimal additional power draw.
Best for: Building a small form factor PC, home theater PC, or always-on media server where low power consumption and quiet operation are priorities.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-3470S or Intel Core i3-12100T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i3-12100T comes out ahead with a score of 6.5/10. 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 i5-3470S or Intel Core i3-12100T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i3-12100T leads with a gaming performance score of 35/100 among Intel Core i5-3470S and Intel Core i3-12100T.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i3-12100T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-3470S (65 W), Intel Core i3-12100T (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-3470S and Intel Core i3-12100T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-3470S: LGA 1155, Intel Core i3-12100T: LGA 1700), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3470S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-3470S (6,700). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.