CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4570S vs Intel Core i5-4590T
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.
Adequate for basic office tasks where bursty workloads benefit from the 3.0 GHz turbo, but sustained multi-threaded work is limited.
Gaming
Handles older games well but bottlenecks modern GPUs.
The 2.0 GHz base clock severely limits gaming performance. Only viable for very old or casual games, even with a dedicated GPU.
Virtualization
Can run basic VMs but limited by 4 threads.
Four threads at low clocks make virtualization impractical for any meaningful workload.
Efficiency
Excellent power-to-performance ratio for its generation.
The 35W TDP was impressive for a quad-core in 2014, though modern processors achieve far better performance at similar or lower power.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- Lacks modern AI instruction sets
- Not suitable for AI workloads
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Low clock speeds further reduce any AVX2 compute capability
- 35W power budget leaves no headroom for inference workloads
- Not viable for any AI application
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
- 2.0 GHz base clock too low for consistent game performance
- 3.0 GHz turbo helps in short bursts but cannot sustain
- Only suitable for pre-2015 games at low settings
- HD 4600 insufficient for any modern gaming without a dGPU
- Even with a dGPU, CPU bottleneck is severe in modern titles
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
- Extremely low 35W TDP enables compact cooling solutions
- Retains full 6 MB L3 cache despite power reduction
- Quad-core design handles multi-tasking better than dual-core alternatives
- 1 GHz turbo delta provides good burst performance
- Compatible with all LGA 1150 motherboards
Cons
- 2.0 GHz base clock is very slow for sustained workloads
- Launched at $192, more expensive than the faster i5-4590
- Only 4 threads without Hyper-Threading
- Locked multiplier with no overclocking potential
- DDR3 memory platform is obsolete
- Outperformed by modern Celeron and Pentium processors at lower TDPs
- Limited availability as it was primarily an OEM product
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 i5-4590T
- AMD A8-7600 (45W)Rival
Low-Power APU
- AMD A10-7800 (45W)Rival
Low-Power APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570TRival
Low-Power Desktop
- Intel Core i3-4360TRival
Low-Power Desktop
- Intel Core i7-4765TRival
Low-Power Desktop
Much faster at the same price if thermal constraints are not a concern.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5500GTAlt
Modern low-power hex-core with integrated graphics that vastly outperforms the i5-4590T.
Modern 35W quad-core with eight threads, DDR5 support, and dramatically better single-thread performance.
Compare head-to-headCoffee Lake 35W hex-core with significantly more performance at similar power.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4650GEAlt
Modern 35W embedded processor with six cores and twelve threads.
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 reviewAn impressive engineering exercise in power efficiency that sacrificed significant performance for its 35W TDP. Ideal for thermally constrained builds of its era, but modern low-power CPUs deliver far better performance at similar power envelopes.
Best for: Replacing a failed CPU in an existing thin mini-ITX or all-in-one system that requires a 35W LGA 1150 processor
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-4570S or Intel Core i5-4590T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4570S comes out ahead with a score of 6.8/10. 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 i5-4590T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4570S leads with a gaming performance score of 45/100 among Intel Core i5-4570S and Intel Core i5-4590T.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-4590T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4570S (65 W), Intel Core i5-4590T (35 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4570S and Intel Core i5-4590T 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 i5-4570S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4570S (3,600), Intel Core i5-4590T (3,350). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.