Core i5-3470 vs Core i7-6970HQ

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 i5-3470 vs Core i7-6970HQ 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 i5-3470 vs Core i7-6970HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3470

2012

Why buy it

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-6970HQ across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Core i7-6970HQ mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌7600% higher power demand at 77W vs 1W.

Core i7-6970HQ

2016

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).
✅Draws 1W instead of 77W, a 76W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,632 vs 4,663).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-6970HQ better than Core i5-3470?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-6970HQ is ahead with a 9.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470 pulls ahead with 0.7% better PassMark. Core i7-6970HQ also has the bigger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3470 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i7-6970HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i7-6970HQ comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-3470 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (25.3 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

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

Core i7-6970HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2016 vs 2012) and 33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-3470 vs Core i7-6970HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3470

The Core i5-3470 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 3.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,663 points. Launch price was $184.

Core i7-6970HQ

The Core i7-6970HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 January 2016 (9 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB. L2 cache: 1 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 4,632 points. Launch price was $623.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3470 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-6970HQ's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-3470 versus 3.7 GHz on the Core i7-6970HQ — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-6970HQ (base: 3.2 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-3470 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-6970HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3470 scores 4,663 against the Core i7-6970HQ's 4,632 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-3470. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3470 vs 8 MB on the Core i7-6970HQ.

Feature	Core i5-3470	Core i7-6970HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.6 GHz	3.7 GHz+3%
Base Clock	3.2 GHz+14%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8 MB+33%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+25500%	1 MB
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,663	4,632

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3470 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-6970HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.