Core i5-3570 vs Core i5-6440HQ

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 i5-3570 vs Core i5-6440HQ 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 i5-3570 vs Core i5-6440HQ: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-3570

2012

Why buy it

✅Costs $56 less on MSRP ($194 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Delivers 26.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 25.4 vs 20.1 PassMark/$ ($194 MSRP vs $250 MSRP).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-6440HQ.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,932 vs 5,021).
❌71.1% higher power demand at 77W vs 45W.

Core i5-6440HQ

2015

Why buy it

✅+1.8% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 45W instead of 77W, a 32W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 20.1 vs 25.4 PassMark/$ ($250 MSRP vs $194 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-3570.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-6440HQ better than Core i5-3570?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-3570 is ahead with a 2.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6440HQ pulls ahead with 1.8% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6440HQ is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-6440HQ is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-6440HQ comes in 28.9% more expensive on MSRP at $250 MSRP versus $194 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.8% better PassMark. Core i5-3570 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2012 platform. Even with 26.6% better value on paper (25.4 vs 20.1 PassMark/$), 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 i5-6440HQ makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2012) and 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 i5-3570 vs Core i5-6440HQ Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-3570

The Core i5-3570 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 77 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,932 points. Launch price was $231.

Core i5-6440HQ

The Core i5-6440HQ is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 6 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: 5,021 points. Launch price was $250.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-3570 and Core i5-6440HQ share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-3570 versus 3.5 GHz on the Core i5-6440HQ — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-3570 (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The Core i5-3570 uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i5-6440HQ uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3570 scores 4,932 against the Core i5-6440HQ's 5,021 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i5-6440HQ. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3570 vs 6 MB on the Core i5-6440HQ.

Feature	Core i5-3570	Core i5-6440HQ
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+9%	3.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+31%	2.6 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	1 MB+300%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	4,932	5,021+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,780	—
Geekbench 6 Single	741	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,246	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3570 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-6440HQ uses BGA1440 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1600 on the Core i5-3570 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6440HQ — the Core i5-6440HQ supports 33.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i5-6440HQ supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes.

Feature	Core i5-3570	Core i5-6440HQ
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1440
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR4-2133+33%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD 2500 (Core i5-3570) and HD Graphics 530 (Core i5-6440HQ) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3570 targets Budget, Core i5-6440HQ targets Mobile. Direct competitor: Core i5-3570 rivals Ryzen 3 1200.

Feature	Core i5-3570	Core i5-6440HQ
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD 2500	HD Graphics 530
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Budget	Mobile

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-3570 was priced at $194, while the Core i5-6440HQ came in at $250. On launch pricing ($194 vs $250), Core i5-3570 was $56 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3570 delivers 25.4 pts/$ vs 20.1 pts/$ for the Core i5-6440HQ — making the Core i5-3570 the 23.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-3570	Core i5-6440HQ
MSRP	$194-22%	$250
Performance per Dollar	25.4+26%	20.1
Release Date	2012	2015

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