In this article, the reader will get acquainted with the wonderful Intel Core i5-3570K processor, which, thanks to the unlocked multiplier, is able in comparisons to eliminate any of its competitors both in synthetic tests and in applications with games. Overview, specifications, description and reviews of the owners will provide potential buyers with all the necessary information that they would like to know before going to the store.
New technologies on the old core
The Intel Core i5-3570K processor is implemented on the Ivy Bridge QC core, however, when comparing its characteristics with the Sandy core (which was used in the production of the Core i5-2550K, for example), all architectures are fully consistent. Naturally, this factor raises many questions. According to the manufacturer, the only difference is the presence on the processor of the graphic video core GMA HD4000. Yes, exactly the same as that used in the top Core i7 crystals.
For the user, the implementation of decent integrated graphics in the processor core allows you to save on the purchase of a discrete graphics card from a budget class (16 stream pipelines with full DirectX 11 support). A rather interesting offer for people who purchase this processor for work, and not for high-performance games. It’s nice to save on the purchase of a discrete entry-level video adapter for connecting a monitor.
Intel Core i5-3570K Processor Specifications
Moving away from all existing rules for describing the characteristics of processors, which not all users understand, I want to note that the new product has a lot to do with its older brother Core i7-3770K. A significant difference is only in the number of calculation threads, which affect the overall performance of the crystal. Therefore, the technical characteristics are best studied in comparison with the older model:
- production technology of both processors - 32 nanometers;
- both crystals have 4 cores;
- calculation threads (they are also called virtual cores) for the Intel Core i5-3570K - 4 pieces, and for the Core i7 - 8 pieces;
- first level cache (L1) for both processors 32 Kb;
- the cache of the second level (L2) is also identical: 4x256 Kb (according to the number of cores);
- but the cache in the third level is slightly different (Core i5 - 6 MB, Core i7 - 8 MB);
- both processors support on a hardware level dual-channel DDR3-1600 MHz RAM;
- power consumption is also identical and is 77 watts.
First acquaintance when buying
It should be noted right away that the manufacturer presented two interpretations of its wonderful product to the world market: an Intel Core i5-3570K BOX crystal (a boxed version with a proprietary cooling system) and an OEM version (without a cooler). In the domestic market, the first option is more common, and the reader will get acquainted with it.
The heart of the computer comes in a huge cardboard box that is protected from shock during transportation. The packaging, as one would expect, is quite informative - all technologies are described by the processor manufacturer both on the main screen and on the side faces of the box. On one side of the packaging there is a small window through which the processor itself and the markings on its case are visible, which is quite convenient for buyers for whom the manufacturing country is a priority.
The BOX package is standard for all Intel devices: the processor itself, the cooling system (cooler E97378-001), the manufacturer’s branded sticker on the PC case and installation instructions. In the box, the buyer will also find a large paper stack of recommendations, but it is less informative for the user.
Briefly about the cooling system
Quite an interesting company policy regarding the price of BOX and OEM versions. The cost is almost the same, and many buyers have many questions about the effectiveness of the proprietary Intel Core i5-3570K processor cooling system, the price of which is in the range of 15-20 thousand rubles. It is not worth worrying about this for those who do not plan to overclock the system, because the standard Intel cooling system is technologically not inferior to competitors in terms of operational efficiency, including low noise figures.
When accelerating the central processor, there are no comments on the cooler’s performance, judging by the reviews of the owners, however, high fan speeds make the user uncomfortable - the cooling system is buzzing very loudly, which causes outrage among all users. It is worth noting that for overclocking, professionals recommend using radiators that are mounted on the motherboard not with standard plastic latches, but with spring-loaded screw systems.
The main competitor in testing
The inexpensive solutions of the competitor AMD, built on the basis of 4 and 6 cores, does not make sense to compare with the Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4 GHz. The opponent simply does not have a chance to win both in synthetic tests and in games (we are talking about standard frequencies, without overclocking). Therefore, in all tests that the reader finds on the Internet, comparisons occur with an AMD representative with 8 cores. The logic of such comparisons is quite simple - cost. As it turned out, Intel's solution is in the same price category as a competitor. Here the greed is already working for the buyer, who believes that the doubled number of cores should double the system performance. But is this really so, you can find out from the tests that are available in the media.
Comparison of two powerful processors
Taking part in the test: AMD FX-8350 representative and Intel Core i5-3570K processor. The price of both devices is in the range of 15-20 thousand rubles. Both crystals have an unlocked multiplier, which allows comparison of platforms dispersed in frequencies.
In all synthetic tests, a competitor with 8 cores shows low performance compared to Intel. In readers' reviews, you can find mention of Hyper-Threading technology, which creates virtual 4 cores on the Core i5 processor, which pull the system in testing. However, disabling Hyper-Threading support only brought AMD's competitor closer to Intel's results.
It is a completely different matter when overclocking an AMD representative to 4 GHz. In synthetic tests, it demonstrates significantly better performance than Core i5, approaching the flagship of the Core i7 line. But the 4-core Intel representative can also be overclocked to 4 GHz. As a result, all the applause will go to him, not the AMD FX-8350. Few people pay attention to heat dissipation tests, but it does not go beyond the limits of 100 W in the Core i5 (the competitor has 125 W), it is clearly worth spending not only on the purchase of a cooling system, but also on monthly electricity consumption.
Mind Games with Core i7
The great similarity of production technologies with the flagship of the Core i7-3770K line leads to the idea of comparing it in tests with the Intel Core i5-3570K processor under consideration. A review of the two new products was made earlier, it is worth adding that the difference in price of these two devices is quite significant (Core i7 is 5-7 thousand rubles more expensive). It is clear that in normal operating modes the Core i5 has no chance (Intel policy), however, remembering the unlocked multiplier, you can try to test with an overclocked processor.
Interactive work in three-dimensional packages, including dynamic scenes, demonstrates the high performance of the 4-core Intel Core i5-3570K processor, but its performance is still not enough to get around the flagship of the line. It looks a little strange, because, logically, the Core i7 runs at lower frequencies and should have given the championship.
Intel's covert policy
In the reviews of many owners, one can find assumptions that the manufacturer intentionally made sure that the overclocking of the Intel Core i5-3570K processor did not exceed the performance of a top-end device operating at standard frequencies. If you look at the tests of the budget Core i3 processors, you will find that their maximum performance during overclocking does not exceed the value of the representative of the top Core i5 lineup.
Well, you can’t argue with the pricing policy of the company, and many buyers will have to put up with it - if you want the most powerful processor in the world, buy the flagship of the Core i7 line. The competitor AMD is easier with this, as tests show, overclocked representatives of the budget class, outperform their older brothers working at standard frequencies.
Game performance
It would seem that everything is clear. In synthetic games, the lead is for the Intel Core i5-3570K: overclocking is wonderful and does not give AMD competitors any chance. However, as practice shows, if you study the testing indicators in games and calculate the purchase efficiency by the ratio of "price-quality", it is more profitable to purchase competitor products. The thing is that synthetic tests concern only the performance of the central processor, while games require the power of the entire platform (motherboard, RAM, video card, processor and hard disk).
In games such as Metro 2033, Far Cry, World of Tanks, GTA and many others, the difference between the processors of Intel and AMD is insignificant. Winning in the Core i5 in the standard mode surpasses the core of the FX-8350 by several frames per second. As users note in their reviews, one of the problems Intel is working with is DDR3-1866 MHz memory modules and higher.
Choosing a decent processor
Before buying a new Intel Core i5-3570K processor, the user needs to understand what purpose it will be used for. If we are talking about a productive platform for processing and editing video, an economical system for office applications and games in total, then the solution from Intel will be the best purchase for the owner. However, if the processor is needed only for games, then it is better to give preference to an inexpensive solution. Saving on the cost of the central processor, it is better to invest in an SSD drive, RAM or video adapter. Such a solution will only improve performance in dynamic games. And this is not about multi-core processors, as practice shows, it is quite possible to get along with top solutions built on the basis of 2 or 4 cores. At the moment, this is the ceiling for all high-performance gaming systems.
Finally
The result is quite interesting. And the choice, as always, is up to the buyer. There are no questions regarding the performance of the Intel Core i5-3570K processor with an unlocked multiplier - this is one of the best representatives of its class, however, when it comes to gaming platforms, the overall cost is spoiled by the cost of the product. On average, the savings when buying a gaming computer based on AMD is about 20-30%. But when it comes to using a low-cost competitor solution with demanding applications, we immediately recall the impeccable performance of Intel platforms. In the processors of this class there is no middle ground - either high performance for a lot of money, or savings not only on money, but also on the system capacity.