CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4670K vs Intel Core i5-3570K
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4670K debuted as the flagship unlocked quad-core processor of the initial Haswell architecture rollout in June 2013. Designed for the LGA 1150 socket, it targeted mainstream enthusiasts who wanted overclocking capabilities without paying the premium for Core i7.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Sufficient for basic office work, but the lack of Hyper-Threading means multi-threaded productivity workloads complete much slower than on modern CPUs.
Handles office apps fine, but struggles with heavy modern web scripts.
Gaming
Adequate for older or esports titles at 1080p, but struggles significantly with modern CPU-demanding games due to having only four threads.
Overclocked, it can handle older games well, but bottlenecks modern GPUs heavily.
Virtualization
Four threads are a hard constraint for virtualization, and the lack of VT-d on this K-series part limits IOMMU passthrough capabilities.
Basic VM capability, but limited by 4 threads.
Efficiency
The 22nm Haswell architecture draws notably more power under load than modern alternatives, and temperatures spike easily due to the internal thermal paste.
Efficiency drops significantly when overclocked due to 22nm thermal limits.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI acceleration hardware
- AVX2 supported but performance is vastly inferior to modern NPUs
- Not suitable for AI/ML training or inference workloads
- No AI hardware
- Unsuitable for modern AI workloads
Content Creation
Gaming
- Performs well in older DirectX 11 titles
- Lacks Hyper-Threading, causing stuttering in modern games
- Overclocking requires delidding to achieve safe temperatures
- Best paired with mid-range GPUs of its era, like the GTX 970
- 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
- Unlocked multiplier for frequency tuning
- Solid 1080p gaming performance with mid-range GPUs for its era
- Wide availability on the used market at very low prices
- Supports AVX2 and FMA3 instruction sets
- Includes Intel HD 4600 for basic display output without a discrete GPU
Cons
- Notorious for high temperatures under load due to internal thermal paste
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded performance
- 84W TDP is relatively high for a quad-core without HT
- LGA 1150 platform is end-of-life with no upgrade path
- Does not support VT-d for PCIe device passthrough
- Delidding required for serious overclocking headroom
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 i5-4670K
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570KRival
Mainstream Desktop
- AMD FX-6350Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-4770KRival
Enthusiast Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
APU Desktop
The Devil's Canyon successor features improved thermal interface material for better temperatures and overclocking.
Compare head-to-headAdds Hyper-Threading for 8 threads, ideal as a drop-in upgrade for LGA 1150 users needing more multi-threaded headroom.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Six cores, twelve threads on a modern platform with DDR4, NVMe support, and significantly better performance per dollar.
Six cores, twelve threads at a similar used price point with a much more modern platform and better multi-threading.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600Alt
Vastly superior single-threaded and multi-threaded performance with excellent value on the AM4 platform.
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 i5-4670K was a capable quad-core in its day, but its notorious thermal issues under the IHS severely limited overclocking headroom, making it a historical footnote compared to the refreshed 4690K.
Best for: Repairing an existing LGA 1150 system where a motherboard swap is impractical and delidding is not a concern.
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 i5-4670K 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 i5-4670K or Intel Core i5-3570K?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4670K leads with a gaming performance score of 55/100 among Intel Core i5-4670K and Intel Core i5-3570K.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-3570K has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-4670K (84 W), Intel Core i5-3570K (77 W).
Do Intel Core i5-4670K and Intel Core i5-3570K use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4670K: LGA 1150, Intel Core i5-3570K: Intel Socket 1155 (LGA1155)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3570K posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4670K (4,900), Intel Core i5-3570K (6,300). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.