Quick Verdict
The i5-3470S offered a good balance of power efficiency and quad-core performance in 2012, but its outdated platform and lack of modern features make it obsolete today.
Overview
Launch
2012
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
3rd Gen (Ivy Bridge)
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i5-3470S is a power-optimized quad-core desktop processor from the Ivy Bridge family, featuring a 65W TDP and 2.9 GHz base clock for thermally constrained desktop systems.
The Intel Core i5-3470S features 4 cores and 4 threads with a base clock of 2.9 GHz and turbo boost up to 3.6 GHz.
The 65W TDP is 12W lower than the standard i5-3470, achieved through a reduced base clock while maintaining the same maximum turbo frequency. With 6MB of shared L3 cache, dual-channel DDR3 support, and Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics, it offers nearly identical real-world performance to the i5-3470 for burst workloads while consuming less power under sustained load. The S suffix denotes Intel's power-optimized desktop category, targeting small form factor PCs and business desktops where thermals matter more than peak multi-threaded performance.
Specifications
Performance
Quad-core performance handles basic office tasks well but struggles with modern multitasking demands.
Four cores without Hyper-Threading provide basic virtualization capability.
Same gaming limitations as the i5-3470 — four threads without Hyper-Threading create bottlenecks in modern titles.
The 65W TDP is more efficient than the 77W i5-3470, though modern processors deliver much more performance per watt.
- •Same turbo boost as i5-3470 for burst gaming performance
- •Four threads limit modern gaming capability
- •HD 2500 integrated graphics insufficient for gaming
- •Lower base clock slightly reduces minimum frame rates compared to i5-3470
- •No AI acceleration hardware
- •Not applicable for this processor generation
- •Insufficient compute for AI workloads
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Ivy Bridge
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
65 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i5-3470S uses the same quad-core Ivy Bridge die as the i5-3470, manufactured on Intel's 22nm FinFET process. The S suffix indicates a power-optimized SKU where Intel has reduced the base clock from 3.2 GHz to 2.9 GHz to meet the 65W TDP target. The maximum turbo boost remains at 3.6 GHz, meaning that for burst workloads where the processor can briefly exceed the base TDP, performance is nearly identical to the i5-3470. The difference manifests primarily in sustained multi-threaded workloads where the processor must stay within its power budget and cannot maintain turbo boost as long. The 6MB shared L3 cache, dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory controller, and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are identical to the standard i5-3470. The integrated HD 2500 graphics with 6 Execution Units at 650-1100 MHz also match the standard variant.
CPU Design
Four Ivy Bridge CPU cores without Hyper-Threading, 64KB L1 and 256KB L2 per core, 6MB shared L3 Smart Cache, operating at 2.9 GHz base and 3.6 GHz turbo within a 65W TDP.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1600 memory controller with 25.6 GB/s peak bandwidth, supporting up to 32GB total capacity.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, identical to other quad-core Ivy Bridge desktop processors.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier with limited BCLK adjustment capability only.
- 22nm process shrink from 32nm
- PCIe 3.0 support over PCIe 2.0
- Improved integrated graphics
- Same turbo boost with lower base power
Key Highlights
- 65W TDP for cooler and quieter operation
- Same 3.6 GHz turbo boost as i5-3470
- Full 6MB L3 cache preserved
- Good for small form factor builds
- PCIe 3.0 support
- Lower base clock than i5-3470 (2.9 vs 3.2 GHz)
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded performance
- HD 2500 integrated graphics are weak
- End-of-life LGA 1155 platform
- No Windows 11 support
- DDR3 memory is obsolete
History
The Core i5-3470S was launched alongside the standard i5-3470 in June 2012, addressing the market segment for power-efficient desktop computing. Intel's S-series processors targeted small form factor and business desktop systems where thermal headroom was limited but quad-core performance was still desired.</br></br>The i5-3470S represented Intel's recognition that not all desktop users needed the full 77W power budget.
Business desktops, small form factor PCs, and all-in-one systems benefited from the reduced thermal output, which allowed for smaller cooling solutions and quieter operation. The 65W TDP would prove prescient, as Intel adopted this as the standard mainstream desktop TDP starting with Haswell in 2013.</br></br>For OEMs, the i5-3470S was often the preferred choice over the standard i5-3470 for commercial desktop lines.
The slight reduction in base clock was an acceptable trade-off for lower power consumption and reduced cooling requirements. Many corporate desktops shipped with the i5-3470S throughout 2012-2014, and these systems continued to serve in office environments well into the 2020s before finally being replaced due to Windows 11 requirements rather than hardware failure.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 22nm process shrink from 32nm
- PCIe 3.0 support over PCIe 2.0
- Improved integrated graphics
- Same turbo boost with lower base power
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Maintaining an existing SFF desktop for basic computing tasks
Avoid if…
- Building any new system in 2026
- Modern gaming or content creation
- Needing Windows 11 support
- Requiring modern security features
- Any multi-threaded productivity workload
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The S suffix stands for 'Performance-Optimized Lifestyle,' Intel's category for reduced TDP desktop processors.
Despite the lower base clock, the i5-3470S reaches the same 3.6 GHz turbo as the i5-3470, making burst performance nearly identical.
The 65W TDP matches Intel's standard desktop TDP that would later become the norm for mainstream processors starting with Haswell.
The i5-3470S was popular in small form factor PCs like the Dell OptiPlex Small Form Factor and HP ProDesk series.
The die size of 133mm² listed in some databases may reflect a different binning or measurement method compared to the standard 160mm² quad-core die.
Intel charged a slight premium for S-series processors despite their lower base clocks, as they were considered specialty SKUs.
The i5-3470S was often the default choice for business desktops where 65W was the standard thermal budget.
This processor does not support Intel vPro, unlike the standard i5-3470.
The maximum case temperature of 69°C is actually higher than the i5-3470's 67°C, likely due to different cooling expectations for S-series systems.
Many users found the i5-3470S indistinguishable from the i5-3470 in everyday use, as most desktop workloads are bursty rather than sustained.
People Also Ask
What is the difference between i5-3470S and i5-3470?
The i5-3470S has a 65W TDP and 2.9 GHz base clock, while the i5-3470 has a 77W TDP and 3.2 GHz base clock. Both share the same 3.6 GHz turbo boost, 6MB cache, and quad-core design.
Is the i5-3470S good for gaming?
No, the four threads without Hyper-Threading and low IPC by modern standards make it unsuitable for modern gaming.
Can the i5-3470S run Windows 11?
No, it does not meet Windows 11 requirements and is not on the supported CPU list.
What does the S mean in i5-3470S?
The S suffix indicates a 'Performance-Optimized Lifestyle' processor with a lower 65W TDP compared to the standard 77W variant.
What socket does the i5-3470S use?
It uses the Intel LGA 1155 socket.
Is the i5-3470S better than i5-3470?
It depends on your priorities. The i5-3470S runs cooler and uses less power, while the i5-3470 has a higher base clock. For most users, the difference is negligible.
Does the i5-3470S have integrated graphics?
Yes, it features Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics with 6 Execution Units.
What is the TDP of the i5-3470S?
The TDP is 65W.
Can I overclock the i5-3470S?
No, the multiplier is locked. Only limited BCLK adjustment is possible on compatible motherboards.
Is the i5-3470S still usable in 2026?
Only for basic web browsing and document editing. Modern applications will push it beyond its comfortable operating range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the turbo boost speed of the i5-3470S?
The maximum Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 frequency is 3.6 GHz.
Does the i5-3470S support AES-NI?
Yes, it supports AES New Instructions for hardware-accelerated encryption.
What memory does the i5-3470S support?
It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory up to DDR3-1600 speeds.
What is the maximum temperature for the i5-3470S?
The maximum case temperature (Tcase) is 69°C.
Does the i5-3470S support virtualization?
Yes, it supports Intel VT-x and VT-d virtualization technologies.
What part number is the i5-3470S?
The standard part number is SR0TA.
How much cache does the i5-3470S have?
It has 64KB L1 per core, 256KB L2 per core, and 6MB shared L3 cache.
Does the i5-3470S support vPro?
No, unlike the standard i5-3470, the i5-3470S does not support Intel vPro technology.
What is the base clock of the i5-3470S?
The base clock is 2.9 GHz.
What generation is the i5-3470S?
It is a 3rd Generation Intel Core processor (Ivy Bridge).