CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4570S vs Intel Core i5-4570
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4570S is a quad-core desktop processor introduced in June 2013 as part of the Haswell generation. Designed with a 65-watt TDP, the 'S' suffix indicates its focus on power efficiency without sacrificing too much performance. Operating at a base frequency of 2.9 GHz and boosting up to 3.6 GHz, it provided a balanced approach for both everyday tasks and moderate workloads. Built on Intel's 22nm process, it packs 1.4 billion transistors into a 177 mm² die. This processor was a favorite for small form factor builds and home theater PCs (HTPCs) where heat dissipation was a priority. It features Intel HD 4600 integrated graphics, capable of handling 4K video playback and older games at low settings. With 6MB of L3 cache, it delivered snappy application responsiveness. While obsolete by today's standards, it was a highly regarded efficiency chip during its prime.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Snappy for basic tasks, 6MB cache helps responsiveness.
Handles basic office and web tasks well, but compilation times and heavy multitasking expose its limits.
Gaming
Handles older games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
Competent with older titles and eSports games, but modern AAA titles expose the four-thread limitation severely.
Virtualization
Can run basic VMs but limited by 4 threads.
VT-x and VT-d are present but four threads severely constrain any practical virtualization workload.
Efficiency
Excellent power-to-performance ratio for its generation.
84W TDP for this performance level is unremarkable; modern processors deliver 2-3x the performance at similar power.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Lacks modern AI instruction sets
- Not suitable for AI workloads
- No AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 available but insufficient for meaningful inference
- DDR3 bandwidth too low for AI workloads
- Not suitable for any local AI tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Needs a dedicated GPU for 3D gaming
- Suitable for e-sports titles from the 2010s
- Will bottleneck any GPU newer than a GTX 1060
- Capable with eSports titles like CS:GO and Dota 2
- Bottlenecks mid-range and above modern GPUs
- DDR3 memory limits performance in open-world games
- No Hyper-Threading reduces 1% low frame rates
- Best paired with GTX 1060 or slower for balanced performance
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Low 65W TDP ideal for SFF builds
- Strong single-core performance for its era
- Includes HD 4600 graphics
- Supports VT-d for virtualization
- 6MB L3 cache improves multitasking
Cons
- Uses obsolete DDR3 memory
- Locked multiplier
- No official Windows 11 support
- Bottlenecks modern GPUs
- Lacks modern I/O like USB 3.1 Gen 2
Pros
- Was excellent value at launch for mainstream users
- TSX and TXT support uncommon in this price segment
- Good turbo boost delta of 400 MHz
- Wide compatibility with H81 through Z97 chipsets
- Low used-market pricing makes it viable for repairs
Cons
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier eliminates overclocking
- 84W TDP is inefficient by modern standards
- DDR3 memory platform is obsolete
- No longer receives security microcode updates
- TSX was disabled on most systems due to errata
- Significantly outperformed by modern i3 processors
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-4570S
- AMD FX-8320ERival
Low Power Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570Rival
Standard Desktop
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Intel Core i5-4440Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
High-End APU
Unlocked variant for overclocking.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i7-4770SAlt
Efficient hyper-threaded alternative for more threads.
Slightly newer Haswell Refresh with better clocks.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 1500XAlt
Modern budget alternative with SMT.
Much newer budget alternative with 6 cores.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-4570
- AMD FX-6300Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570Rival
Mid-Range Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
APU Desktop
- Intel Core i3-4340Rival
Budget Desktop
Slightly higher clocks at similar pricing, providing a small but free performance uplift.
Compare head-to-headHigher base and turbo clocks for users needing maximum performance on LGA 1150.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 2600Alt
Six cores and twelve threads on a modern DDR4 platform at similar used-market pricing.
Modern budget CPU that significantly outperforms the i5-4570 in single-threaded tasks.
Compare head-to-headDevils Canyon refresh with improved thermal interface and slightly higher clocks.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A great efficiency-focused CPU for its time, still viable for basic legacy systems but not for modern workloads.
Best for: Drop-in upgrade for older LGA 1150 office PCs.
Read the full reviewA solid mid-range performer that was the go-to recommendation for mainstream PC builders in 2013-2014, but its four-thread limitation and DDR3 platform make it impractical for modern workloads.
Best for: Replacing a failed CPU in an existing LGA 1150 system where motherboard reuse is necessary
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4570S or Intel Core i5-4570?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4570 comes out ahead with a score of 7.2/10. 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 i5-4570S or Intel Core i5-4570?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4570 leads with a gaming performance score of 48/100 among Intel Core i5-4570S and Intel Core i5-4570.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-4570S has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4570S (65 W), Intel Core i5-4570 (84 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4570S and Intel Core i5-4570 use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1150 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-4570 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4570S (3,600), Intel Core i5-4570 (4,310). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.