Core i5-3450S vs Core i5-3470S

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-3450S vs Core i5-3470S FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-3450S vs Core i5-3470S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-3450S

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.6% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $10 less on MSRP ($174 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-3470S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Core i5-3470S

2012

Why buy it

✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2500, while Core i5-3450S needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,374 vs 4,399).
❌
5.7% HIGHER MSRP
$184 MSRPvs$174 MSRP

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3450S better than Core i5-3470S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3470S is ahead with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3450S pulls ahead with 0.6% better PassMark.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3450S is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-3450S is the better buy right now. Core i5-3450S comes in $10 cheaper on MSRP at $174 MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.6% better PassMark. The compromise is that Core i5-3470S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 6.4% better value on MSRP (25.3 vs 23.8 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-3450S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-3450S vs Core i5-3470S Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-3450S

The Core i5-3450S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 April 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,399 points. Launch price was $150.

Core i5-3470S

The Core i5-3470S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,374 points. Launch price was $200.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3450S and Core i5-3470S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-3450S versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470S — a 2.8% clock advantage for the Core i5-3470S (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-3450S scores 4,399 against the Core i5-3470S's 4,374 — a 0.6% lead for the Core i5-3450S. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-3450S vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3470S.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	Core i5-3470S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.5 GHz	3.6 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	2.9 GHz+4%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,399	4,374

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 3.0.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	Core i5-3470S
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	—	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	—	32 GB
RAM Channels	—	2
ECC Support	—	No
PCIe Lanes	—	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (Core i5-3450S) / VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-3470S). The Core i5-3470S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Core i5-3450S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3470S targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	Core i5-3470S
Integrated GPU	—	Yes
IGPU Model	—	HD Graphics 2500
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	—	No
Virtualization	—	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	—	Desktop

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3450S was priced at $174, while the Core i5-3470S came in at $184. On launch pricing ($174 vs $184), Core i5-3450S was $10 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3450S delivers 25.3 pts/$ vs 23.8 pts/$ for the Core i5-3470S — making the Core i5-3450S the 6.2% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3450S	Core i5-3470S
MSRP	$174-5%	$184
Performance per Dollar	25.3+6%	23.8
Release Date	2012	2012

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