CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-4570T vs Intel Core i5-4590T
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-4570T is a low-power desktop processor launched in June 2013 as part of the Haswell generation. Built on a 22 nm manufacturing process, it features a dual-core design with Hyper-Threading, allowing it to process four threads simultaneously. With a base clock of 2.9 GHz and a maximum turbo frequency of 3.6 GHz, it delivers snappy single-threaded performance suitable for everyday computing tasks. What sets the 4570T apart is its 35 W TDP, significantly lower than the standard 84 W of typical Haswell desktop chips. This makes it ideal for small form factor (SFF) PCs, home theater PCs (HTPCs), and All-in-One systems where thermal constraints and noise levels are critical. It includes 4 MB of L3 cache and integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600. While not designed for heavy workloads, it provides a reliable, cool, and quiet computing experience for mainstream users.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Good single-core speed helps office apps, but dual-core limits heavy multitasking.
Adequate for basic office tasks where bursty workloads benefit from the 3.0 GHz turbo, but sustained multi-threaded work is limited.
Gaming
HD 4600 graphics are insufficient for anything beyond very old or 2D games.
The 2.0 GHz base clock severely limits gaming performance. Only viable for very old or casual games, even with a dedicated GPU.
Virtualization
Limited core count makes running VMs sluggish.
Four threads at low clocks make virtualization impractical for any meaningful workload.
Efficiency
Excellent efficiency for a desktop chip, running very cool.
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
- No AI hardware
- Unsuitable for modern 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
- Intel HD 4600 is too weak for modern gaming
- Can handle retro or 2D indie games
- Shares system memory
- 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
- Very low 35W TDP for a desktop chip
- High turbo boost for single-threaded tasks
- Uses socketed LGA 1150
- Runs very cool and quiet
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores
- Obsolete DDR3 memory support
- Weak integrated graphics
- Locked multiplier
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 i5-4570T
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570SRival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-4570Rival
Desktop
- AMD A10-6800KRival
Desktop
- Intel Core i3-4340Rival
Desktop
- AMD A8-6600KRival
Desktop
Modern quad-core with vastly superior single-thread performance.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GAlt
Better integrated graphics and modern platform.
Cheap hex-core for budget desktop builds.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 3600Alt
Excellent value and multi-threaded performance.
- Intel Pentium G4560Alt
Older but much cheaper dual-core alternative.
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
An efficient and cool-running chip for its time, but severely outdated by modern dual-core standards.
Best for: If you are considering the Core i5-4570T today, it should only be for upgrading an existing LGA 1150 system where your current chip is failing, or for building a very basic retro or office PC using salvaged parts. It holds no value for new purchases due to its age and lack of modern feature support. If found cheaply, it can serve as a capable home server or HTPC processor, handling media streaming and basic network tasks adequately. However, its dual-core limitation will be a bottleneck for modern web browsing with heavy scripts. Do not spend more than a few dollars on this processor. Anyone building a new system should look toward modern 12th or 13th Gen Intel alternatives, or AMD's Ryzen series, which offer vastly superior efficiency and performance.
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 i5-4570T or Intel Core i5-4590T?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-4590T 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 i5-4570T or Intel Core i5-4590T?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-4590T leads with a gaming performance score of 30/100 among Intel Core i5-4570T and Intel Core i5-4590T.
Do Intel Core i5-4570T and Intel Core i5-4590T use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-4570T: Intel Socket 1150 (LGA1150), Intel Core i5-4590T: LGA 1150), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-4590T has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-4570T (2 cores), Intel Core i5-4590T (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-4570T posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-4570T (3,800), Intel Core i5-4590T (3,350). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.