i7-870 vs i5-3470

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-3470
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 77 Watt
2.95
+49%
Core i7-870
2009
4 cores / 8 threads, 95 Watt
1.98

Core i5-3470 outperforms Core i7-870 by a considerable 49% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-3470 and Core i7-870 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking16541942
Place by popularity15not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.590.24
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency3.631.97
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Lynnfield (2009−2010)
Release date1 June 2012 (12 years ago)8 September 2009 (15 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$184$305

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-3470 has 146% better value for money than i7-870.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-3470 and Core i7-870 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)4 (Quad-Core)
Threads48
Base clock speed3.2 GHz2.93 GHz
Boost clock speed3.6 GHz3.6 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s2.5 GT/s
L1 cache64 KB (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB (shared)8 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm45 nm
Die size132.8 mm2296 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °C73 °C
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °Cno data
Number of transistorsno data774 million
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-3470 and Core i7-870 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA1156,LGA1156
Power consumption (TDP)77 Watt95 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-3470 and Core i7-870. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.2
AES-NI+-
AVX+-
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
Turbo Boost Technology2.01.0
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring+-
Demand Based Switchingno data-
PAEno data36 Bit
FDI+no data

Security technologies

Core i5-3470 and Core i7-870 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT++
EDB++
Secure Key+no data
Identity Protection+-
Anti-Theft+no data

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-3470 and Core i7-870 are enumerated here.

VT-d++
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-3470 and Core i7-870. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3
Maximum memory size32 GB16 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s21 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics cardIntel HD Graphics 2500N/A
Quick Sync Video+-
Clear Video HD+no data
Graphics max frequency1.1 GHzno data
InTru 3D+no data

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-3470 and Core i7-870 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported3no data

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-3470 and Core i7-870.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i5-3470 2.95
+49%
i7-870 1.98

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i5-3470 4679
+49%
i7-870 3140

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i5-3470 621
+30.7%
i7-870 475

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i5-3470 1838
+18.3%
i7-870 1554

Cinebench 10 32-bit single-core

Cinebench R10 is an ancient ray tracing benchmark for processors by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. Its single core version uses just one CPU thread to render a futuristic looking motorcycle.

i5-3470 5006
+24.9%
i7-870 4007

3DMark06 CPU

3DMark06 is a discontinued DirectX 9 benchmark suite from Futuremark. Its CPU part contains two scenarios, one dedicated to artificial intelligence pathfinding, another to game physics using PhysX package.

i5-3470 6179
+5.1%
i7-870 5881

Cinebench 11.5 64-bit multi-core

Cinebench Release 11.5 Multi Core is a variant of Cinebench R11.5 which uses all the processor threads. A maximum of 64 threads is supported in this version.

i5-3470 6
+5.1%
i7-870 5

Cinebench 11.5 64-bit single-core

Cinebench R11.5 is an old benchmark by Maxon, authors of Cinema 4D. It was superseded by later versions of Cinebench, which use more modern variants of Cinema 4D engine. The Single Core version loads a single thread with ray tracing to render a glossy room full of crystal spheres and light sources.

i5-3470 1.51
+26.9%
i7-870 1.19

3DMark Fire Strike Physics

i5-3470 5660
+23.3%
i7-870 4590

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 2.95 1.98
Recency 1 June 2012 8 September 2009
Threads 4 8
Chip lithography 22 nm 45 nm
Power consumption (TDP) 77 Watt 95 Watt

i5-3470 has a 49% higher aggregate performance score, an age advantage of 2 years, a 104.5% more advanced lithography process, and 23.4% lower power consumption.

i7-870, on the other hand, has 100% more threads.

The Core i5-3470 is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i7-870 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-3470 and Core i7-870, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

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Intel Core i5-3470
Core i5-3470
Intel Core i7-870
Core i7-870

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Community ratings

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Questions & comments

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