CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-7400 vs Intel Core i5-3570S
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-7400 is a mainstream desktop processor launched in early 2017 as part of the 7th Generation Kaby Lake lineup. Designed as the entry point for the Core i5 desktop family, it features four physical cores operating at a base frequency of 3.0 GHz, with the ability to boost up to 3.5 GHz. Manufactured on Intel's mature 14nm process, it fits into the standard 65-watt TDP envelope, making it compatible with a wide range of cooling solutions and motherboards. The chip lacks Hyper-Threading, handling four threads simultaneously, which was standard for i5 processors of this generation. It integrates Intel HD 630 graphics, providing adequate performance for everyday multimedia tasks and hardware-accelerated video decoding. Supporting dual-channel DDR4 memory at 2400 MT/s and featuring 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes, the i5-7400 was widely adopted in budget gaming rigs and office PCs. While it has been surpassed by modern processors, it remains a functional solution for basic computing needs and legacy system builds.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Solid performance for standard office tasks, but limited by 4 threads in heavy multitasking.
Handles office suites and multitasking well enough for basic use.
Gaming
Can run older games well but will bottleneck modern GPUs significantly.
Quad cores are okay for old games, but single-thread speed is too low today.
Virtualization
Basic VM support is possible, but performance is restricted by core count.
Can run a basic VM, but lacks Hyper-Threading.
Efficiency
65W TDP is well-managed and easy to cool.
Good efficiency for a 22nm desktop chip.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Will struggle with any local AI inference
- No AI hardware
- Too slow for modern inference
Content Creation
Gaming
- Heavily bottlenecked by 4 threads in modern titles
- Acceptable for retro or e-sports titles with a low-end GPU
- HD 630 not suitable for modern gaming without a dedicated GPU
- Needs a dedicated GPU
- Low single-thread performance by modern standards
- Not recommended for modern AAA games
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Good single-core performance for basic tasks
- Low 65W TDP is easy to cool
- Hardware video decoding for modern codecs
- Widely compatible with LGA 1151 motherboards
- Affordable on the used market
Cons
- Only 4 threads limits modern multitasking
- Locked multiplier prevents overclocking
- No PCIe Gen 4 support
- Bottlenecks modern mid-range GPUs
- Not supported on Windows 11 officially
Pros
- Good 65W TDP
- True 4 physical cores
- Reliable for basic office tasks
- Socketed design
Cons
- Low clock speeds compared to modern chips
- Obsolete DDR3 memory
- No Hyper-Threading
- Weak integrated graphics
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-7400
- AMD Ryzen 3 1200Rival
Desktop
- AMD Ryzen 5 1400Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i3-7100Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-6400Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-8350Rival
Desktop
Successor with 6 cores, offering vastly superior modern performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 1600Alt
Contemporary AMD alternative with 6 cores and 12 threads.
A slight step up in clock speeds if sticking to 7th Gen.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
A much better modern alternative for a budget build.
A modern budget CPU that destroys this chip in every metric.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-3570S
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-3570Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-3450SRival
Desktop
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2500SRival
Desktop
- AMD A10-5700Rival
Desktop
Vastly superior single-core and modern platform.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 4500Alt
Cheap 6-core processor for budget builds.
- Intel Core i5-12400Alt
Modern 6-core with excellent price/performance.
- AMD Ryzen 3 4100Alt
Budget quad-core alternative.
- Intel Pentium G7400Alt
Modern dual-core for basic needs.
Our Verdict on Each
A standard quad-core CPU of its era that handles basic tasks well, but lacks Hyper-Threading and is heavily bottlenecked in modern multi-threaded workloads.
Best for: Keeping an existing LGA 1151 system alive for basic office work.
Read the full reviewA well-balanced 65W quad-core that was a staple in pre-built office PCs, but is too slow for modern demanding workloads.
Best for: For modern users, the Core i5-3570S holds very little value outside of maintaining an older system. If you have a functioning LGA 1155 motherboard and need a cheap processor to keep an office machine or media center running, this chip is adequate. Its quad-core design still handles basic web browsing and document editing reasonably well. However, it struggles significantly with modern gaming and heavy multitasking. It should never be purchased for a new build, as its platform lacks support for modern I/O like NVMe booting (on most older boards), USB 3.1 Gen 2, and DDR4 memory. If you find one used for a few dollars, it might be worth it to revive an old PC. Otherwise, save your money for a modern entry-level processor.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-7400 or Intel Core i5-3570S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-7400 leads with a gaming performance score of 45/100 among Intel Core i5-7400 and Intel Core i5-3570S.
Do Intel Core i5-7400 and Intel Core i5-3570S use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-7400: Intel Socket 1151, Intel Core i5-3570S: Intel Socket 1155 (LGA1155)), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-3570S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-7400 (5,200), Intel Core i5-3570S (6,100). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.