Intel Core i5-3570K Review

Explore the Core i5-3570K! This Desktop processor is a highlight in Intel's mid-range range. Introduced in 2012, it has 4 cores and 4 threads. It operates at a base frequency of 3.4GHz, can hit up to 3.8GHz, and has a power consumption of 77W, ready to upgrade your gaming setup. The Core i5-3570K is designed on the Ivy Bridge 22nm architecture and is a part of the respected Core i5 series.

And guess what? The Core i5-3570K is the ultimate successor to Intel's previous-gen gaming champion, the Core i5-2550K. The Core i5-2550K was based on the legendary Sandy Bridge and 32nm process, and it made its grand entrance into the gaming scene back in 2012. But now, it's time for the Core i5-3570K to take the throne and conquer the gaming world!

The Intel Core i5 3rd Generation boasts the Ivy Bridge architecture, which brings 22nm processors to the mainstream for the first time. But there's more to this story than just a smaller size. Get ready for some serious performance upgrades!

The Core i5-3570K takes the best parts of the Ivy Bridge architecture, which gives you 15% more instructions processed per cycle (IPC) on average, and shrinks it down to a 22nm process. This creates a super powerful chip that performs awesome in all our tests, especially considering the competitive price, compatibility with most existing LGA1155 motherboards, ability to overclock, and included cooler. Basically, it's a win-win!

The Core i5-3570K is the more expensive version of the Core i5-3550, and it shows with its higher base and boost clock speeds: 3.4 GHz and 3.8 GHz, respectively. That's a nice boost in speed, but the real game changer is the higher power delivery (PPT). This lets the motherboard pump more juice (up to 142W) to the Core i5-3570K compared to the Core i5-3550's limit of 77W. This extra power allows the Core i5-3570K to crank up the boost clocks even more aggressively, on both single and multiple cores. That means the performance gap between these two CPUs might be bigger than what the specs on paper suggest.

The wait is finally over! The Intel Core i5 3 Gen is here, and the Intel Core i5-3570K might just be the perfect example of what this new generation brings to the table. It keeps the same core and thread count (4 cores and 4 threads) as its predecessor, the Core i5-2550K. But thanks to the new, smaller 22nm manufacturing process, it delivers significantly better performance while using less power.

Shrinking down to a 22nm process gives the Core i5-3570K a whopping 15% boost in IPC (instructions per clock). Basically, compared to a similar CPU from the last generation (Core i5 2 Gen) clocked at the same speed, you'll get 15% better performance. It might not be a huge difference in everyday tasks, but it's still something.

The Intel Core i5-3570K is another impressive addition to Intel's 3 Gen of Core i5 processors. It boasts 4 cores and 4 threads, with a boost clock of up to 3.8 GHz. While the specs might not look super top-of-the-line on paper, the real-world performance you get for your $235 is fantastic.

One of the best things about the Intel Core i5-3570K is that it comes with a free CPU cooler! You can grab the Core i5-3570K for $235 without having to spend extra on cooling.

The Intel Core i5-3570K comes with a basic heatsink cooler, nothing fancy. But it gets the job done for this low-power CPU (TDP of 77W). You won't need a fancy aftermarket cooler unless you want to overclock it.

The gaming tests with an RTX 2080 Ti were surprising! The budget-friendly Intel Core i5-3570K (only 235)managedtooutperformthemoreexpensiveFX-4200(433.2) in three games we tested. We know three games aren't everything, but it shows that even a 4 core CPU can still hold its own today. You can even play modern games and stream to Twitch on the Core i5-3570K (playable results, not amazing). As games get more demanding, a 4 core CPU might not be ideal, but the Core i5-3570K can hold its own for now in a pinch.

If you don't care too much about overclocking and max boost speeds, then the Intel Core i5-3550 is a good option for $205. It also has 4 cores and 4 threads, but with slightly lower clock speeds (3.3GHz base and 3.7GHz boost).

Building on the success of mainstream Core i5 CPUs, Intel is now attacking the mid-range market with the Core i5-3570K processors, available since Apr 2012.