Quick Verdict
The i5-3470T was an efficient choice for compact desktops in 2012, but its dual-core design and outdated platform make it unsuitable for modern workloads.
Overview
Launch
2012
Status
End-of-lifeGeneration
3rd Gen (Ivy Bridge)
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i5-3470T is a low-power dual-core desktop processor from the Ivy Bridge family, featuring Hyper-Threading and a 35W TDP designed for compact and thermally constrained desktop systems.
The Intel Core i5-3470T is a unique entry in the Ivy Bridge desktop lineup, offering just 2 cores and 4 threads compared to the standard 4 cores found in other i5-3470 variants. With a base clock of 2.9 GHz and turbo up to 3.
6 GHz, it targets the 35W TDP envelope typically reserved for mobile chips. This low power draw made it ideal for small form factor PCs, all-in-one systems, and home theater PCs where thermals and acoustics were primary concerns. The integrated Intel HD 2500 graphics handle basic display output but lack the power for any meaningful gaming.
It uses the LGA 1155 socket and supports dual-channel DDR3 memory along with 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.
Specifications
Performance
Handles basic office applications and web browsing but struggles with heavy multitasking or large datasets.
Dual-core with limited cache severely restricts virtualization capabilities.
The HD 2500 integrated graphics and dual-core design make it completely unsuitable for modern gaming.
The 35W TDP was impressive for 2012, though modern low-power chips deliver far more performance per watt.
- •HD 2500 graphics with only 6 Execution Units
- •No capability for modern titles even at 720p low
- •Dual-core bottleneck limits even paired discrete GPUs
- •Outdated video decoding for modern codecs
- •No dedicated AI hardware
- •Dual-core design insufficient for AI inference
- •Not applicable for this era of processor
Architecture
22nm
Process Node
Ivy Bridge
Codename
2C / 4T
Core Config
3 MB
L3 Cache
35 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
The i5-3470T uses the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture on Intel's 22nm FinFET process, representing the tick in Intel's tick-tock model. Unlike its quad-core siblings in the i5-3470 family, the 3470T is a dual-core die with Hyper-Threading enabled, a feature typically reserved for Core i7 or mobile Core i5/i3 processors. This die configuration has only 3MB of shared L3 cache compared to the 6MB found in quad-core Ivy Bridge i5 chips. The reduced core count and cache directly lower power consumption, allowing the processor to fit within the 35W TDP envelope. The integrated HD 2500 graphics feature only 6 Execution Units, which is the baseline GPU configuration for Ivy Bridge desktop chips and provides minimal 3D acceleration capability.
CPU Design
Dual-core Ivy Bridge design with Hyper-Threading providing 4 logical threads, 64KB L1 and 256KB L2 per core, 3MB shared L3 cache, and a 35W TDP rating.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3 memory controller supporting up to DDR3-1600 speeds with 25.6 GB/s peak bandwidth.
PCIe & I/O
16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes directly from the CPU, a significant upgrade from Sandy Bridge's PCIe 2.0, enabling full bandwidth for modern GPUs.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier with no official overclocking support; BCLK adjustment limited due to integrated clock generator.
- 22nm process shrink from 32nm
- PCIe 3.0 support over PCIe 2.0
- Higher turbo boost frequency
- Improved integrated graphics from HD 2000 to HD 2500
Key Highlights
- Very low 35W TDP for quiet or compact desktop builds
- Hyper-Threading provides 4 threads from 2 cores
- 3.6 GHz turbo boost offers good single-thread burst performance
- PCIe 3.0 support for full-bandwidth GPU connectivity
- LGA 1155 platform offers wide compatibility with budget motherboards
- Only 2 physical cores severely limit multi-threaded performance
- HD 2500 integrated graphics are very weak
- 3MB L3 cache is half of standard quad-core i5 models
- No Windows 11 support
- End-of-life platform with no upgrade path beyond Ivy Bridge
- DDR3 memory is obsolete
History
The Core i5-3470T was launched in June 2012 as part of Intel's Ivy Bridge desktop family, filling a niche for low-power desktop computing. While most desktop Core i5 processors targeted the 65-77W range, the i5-3470T broke convention by offering a 35W TDP typically seen in mobile chips.</br></br>This processor emerged from Intel's strategy to address the growing small form factor and all-in-one PC markets.
System builders needed desktop-class performance in compact chassis that couldn't dissipate the heat of standard 77W processors. The solution was a dual-core Ivy Bridge die with Hyper-Threading enabled, providing 4 threads while keeping power consumption low enough for fanless or near-silent operation.</br></br>The i5-3470T represented an interesting value proposition at launch.
It carried a premium over standard quad-core i5 models despite offering fewer cores, with the premium paying for the low power design. For OEMs building all-in-one PCs and mini desktops, the reduced thermal requirements simplified system design and lowered cooling costs. For enthusiasts, it became an interesting option for home theater PCs and compact builds where quiet operation was paramount.
However, the dual-core limitation became increasingly apparent as software grew more multi-threaded, and the processor was quickly overshadowed by more efficient designs in subsequent generations.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- 22nm process shrink from 32nm
- PCIe 3.0 support over PCIe 2.0
- Higher turbo boost frequency
- Improved integrated graphics from HD 2000 to HD 2500
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Not Recommended for the right buyer
Maintaining an existing legacy system for basic tasks
Avoid if…
- Building any new system in 2026
- Running modern applications or operating systems
- Any gaming or content creation workloads
- Needing modern security features like TPM 2.0
- Requiring Windows 11 compatibility
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-3470T is one of the few desktop Core i5 processors to feature Hyper-Threading, a technology normally reserved for Core i7 models on the desktop.
Its 35W TDP matches the power envelope of many mobile processors from the same era, making it essentially a mobile chip in a desktop socket.
The T suffix in Intel's naming convention stands for 'Power Optimized Lifestyle,' indicating a significantly lower TDP than standard models.
Despite being part of the i5-3470 family, it has two fewer cores than the i5-3470 and i5-3470S, making it a fundamentally different processor.
The 93.6mm² die size is significantly smaller than the 160mm² quad-core Ivy Bridge die, reflecting the reduced core count and cache.
This processor was popular in all-in-one PCs and mini PCs where thermal dissipation was limited.
The HD 2500 graphics have only 6 Execution Units, compared to 16 in the HD 4000 found in higher-end Ivy Bridge chips.
Intel officially discontinued this processor and the LGA 1155 platform, with no further security updates or support.
The maximum case temperature of 65°C is lower than standard Ivy Bridge desktop chips, reflecting its low-power design.
At launch, the i5-3470T was priced similarly to the quad-core i5-3470, making the quad-core variant a much better value for most users.
People Also Ask
Is the i5-3470T good for gaming?
No, the dual-core design and HD 2500 integrated graphics make it completely unsuitable for modern gaming. Even with a dedicated GPU, the dual-core bottleneck limits performance severely.
What is the difference between i5-3470 and i5-3470T?
The i5-3470 is a quad-core processor without Hyper-Threading at 77W TDP, while the i5-3470T is a dual-core processor with Hyper-Threading at 35W TDP. They are fundamentally different chips despite sharing the same model number.
Can the i5-3470T run Windows 11?
No, the i5-3470T is not on Microsoft's supported CPU list and does not meet the TPM 2.0 requirement for Windows 11.
Does the i5-3470T have Hyper-Threading?
Yes, the i5-3470T supports Hyper-Threading, providing 4 threads from 2 physical cores. This is unusual for a desktop Core i5 processor.
What socket does the i5-3470T use?
It uses the Intel LGA 1155 socket.
What is the TDP of the i5-3470T?
The TDP is 35W, making it one of the lowest-power desktop processors in the Ivy Bridge lineup.
Why does the i5-3470T have fewer cores than the i5-3470?
The T suffix designates a power-optimized variant. To achieve the 35W TDP, Intel used a dual-core die with Hyper-Threading instead of the quad-core die found in the standard i5-3470.
Can I upgrade from the i5-3470T?
On the LGA 1155 platform, you can upgrade to an Ivy Bridge Core i7 like the i7-3770, but the platform itself is obsolete with no modern upgrade path.
What graphics does the i5-3470T have?
It features Intel HD 2500 integrated graphics with 6 Execution Units running at 650-1100 MHz.
Is the i5-3470T still usable in 2026?
Only for the most basic computing tasks like web browsing and document editing. Modern web applications and multitasking will overwhelm its dual-core design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the turbo boost speed of the i5-3470T?
The maximum Intel Turbo Boost 2.0 frequency is 3.6 GHz.
How much cache does the i5-3470T have?
It has 64KB L1 per core, 256KB L2 per core, and 3MB shared L3 cache.
What memory does the i5-3470T support?
It supports dual-channel DDR3 memory up to DDR3-1600 speeds.
What is the maximum temperature for the i5-3470T?
The maximum case temperature (Tcase) is 65°C.
Does the i5-3470T support virtualization?
Yes, it supports Intel VT-x and VT-d virtualization technologies.
What part number is the i5-3470T?
The standard part number is SR0RJ.
What is the die size of the i5-3470T?
It uses a 93.6mm² die, significantly smaller than the 160mm² quad-core Ivy Bridge die.
Does the i5-3470T support AES-NI?
Yes, it supports AES New Instructions for hardware-accelerated encryption.
What is the base clock of the i5-3470T?
The base clock is 2.9 GHz with a 100 MHz base clock (BCLK).
Is the i5-3470T unlocked for overclocking?
No, the multiplier is locked. Only limited BCLK overclocking is possible on some motherboards.