Core i5-3570K vs Core i7-3612QE

Core i5-3570K

4 Cores4 Thrd77 WWMax: 3.8 GHz2012

Core i7-3612QE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 3.1 GHz2012

Performance Spectrum - CPU

Core i5-3570K

4 / 4

4,971

+0.9%

4,929

0.0%

About PassMark

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.

Value Upgrade Path

This is the official ChipVERSUS Value Rating, comparing raw performance (PassMark) per dollar. Components placed above yours deliver better value for money. The Core i5-3570K is positioned at rank 749 and the Core i7-3612QE is on rank 1042, so the Core i5-3570K offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.

MSRP is the manufacturer's suggested retail price.•
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.

Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3570K

Ryzen 9 7950X

MSRP: $194|Avg: $20

14111%

Core i9-10900T

MSRP: $120|Avg: $5

13334%

Ryzen 3 PRO 4355GE

MSRP: $423|Avg: $5

9681%

Ryzen Threadripper 3960X

MSRP: $1399|Avg: $85

2917%

Ryzen 9 9950X

MSRP: $649|Avg: $129

2310%

Ryzen 5 8400F

MSRP: $303|Avg: $55

2021%

Ryzen 7 PRO 2700

MSRP: $299|Avg: $60

1158%

Ryzen 5 2600X

MSRP: $229|Avg: $55

1142%

Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G

MSRP: $150|Avg: $60

1040%

#10

Core Ultra 5 245KF

MSRP: $294|Avg: $189

1040%

#11

Ryzen 5 5500

MSRP: $159|Avg: $85

1028%

#12

Ryzen 5 3600

MSRP: $199|Avg: $80

1001%

#13

Core i3-9100E

MSRP: $202|Avg: $30

987%

#14

Core Ultra 5 245K

MSRP: $319|Avg: $200

983%

#15

Core i3-8300T

MSRP: $138|Avg: $25

974%

#749

Core i5-3570K

MSRP: $225|Avg: $35

100%

#750

Athlon II X3 455

MSRP: $88|Avg: $15

100%

#751

Core i5-3570S

MSRP: $213|Avg: $59

100%

#752

Core i7-3770

MSRP: $294|Avg: $60

99%

#753

Pentium G2120

MSRP: $86|Avg: $20

99%

#754

Core i5-3340S

MSRP: $182|Avg: $25

99%

#755

Celeron G1101

MSRP: $50|Avg: $20

98%

#756

FX-8150

MSRP: $245|Avg: $50

98%

#757

Pentium G3240

MSRP: $89|Avg: $126

98%

#758

Core i5-3550S

MSRP: $205|Avg: $100

98%

#759

FX-8140

MSRP: $225|Avg: $120

98%

#760

Athlon X2 450

MSRP: $60|Avg: $15

98%

#761

Athlon II X3 450

MSRP: $87|Avg: $15

97%

#762

Core i7-4790

MSRP: $339|Avg: $60

97%

#763

Pentium G640

MSRP: $64|Avg: $5

97%

#764

Pentium G840

MSRP: $64|Avg: $15

97%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Per Dollar Core i7-3612QE

#1029

Atom x5-Z8300

MSRP: $20|Avg: N/A

2536%

#1030

Atom Z3735G

MSRP: $17|Avg: N/A

2499%

#1031

Core i5-480M

MSRP: $81|Avg: $77

2294%

#1032

Core i5-460M

MSRP: $80|Avg: $129

2283%

#1033

Core i5-2540M

MSRP: $266|Avg: $10

2263%

#1035

Core i5-450M

MSRP: $32|Avg: $31

2185%

#1036

Core i3-380M

MSRP: $49|Avg: $25

2095%

#1037

Core i5-430M

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $33

2092%

#1038

Core 2 Duo T6600

MSRP: N/A|Avg: $4

2035%

#1041

A10-7300

MSRP: $150|Avg: $50

100%

#1042

Core i7-3612QE

MSRP: $426|Avg: $50

100%

#1043

Pentium Dual Core T4200

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

99%

#1044

A6 Micro-6500T

MSRP: $100|Avg: $15

99%

#1045

Pentium N3520

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

99%

#1046

E2-3800

MSRP: $100|Avg: $20

98%

#1047

Athlon X2 QL-66

MSRP: $150|Avg: $5

98%

#1048

Athlon II Neo K145

MSRP: $50|Avg: $10

98%

#1049

Celeron P4600

MSRP: $86|Avg: $15

97%

#1050

Core 2 Duo U7500

MSRP: $100|Avg: $10

96%

#1051

Pentium 987

MSRP: $134|Avg: $20

96%

#1052

Core i7-4910MQ

MSRP: $570|Avg: $570

96%

#1053

Pentium T4400

MSRP: $107|Avg: $5

95%

#1055

Athlon X2 QL-65

MSRP: $150|Avg: $22

94%

#1056

Pentium J2850

MSRP: $94|Avg: $94

93%

Based on actual market prices and performance synthetic scores.

Performance Comparison

About PassMark

🏆 Chipversus Verdict

🚀 Performance Leadership

Performance Trade-off: The Core i7-3612QE leads in gaming performance. However, the Core i5-3570K is the stronger candidate for professional workloads, offering 0.8% greater multi-core processing power.

Insight	Core i5-3570K	Core i7-3612QE
Gaming	❌ Lower gaming performance	✅ Superior gaming performance
Workstation	✅ Better multi-core power	❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks
Price	✅ More affordable ($35)	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)
Longevity	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)	🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm)

💎 Value Proposition

Efficiency: Even within a comparison of older hardware, the Core i5-3570K stands out as the superior choice. It is effectively 30% cheaper ($35 vs $50) while identifying as the stronger performer.

Insight	Core i5-3570K	Core i7-3612QE
Cost Efficiency	✅ Better overall value (+44%)	❌ Lower cost efficiency
Upfront Cost	✅ More affordable ($35)	⚠️ Higher cost ($50)

Performance Check

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-3570K Benchmark Check

Core i7-3612QE Benchmark Check

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3570K and Core i7-3612QE

Core i5-3570K

The Core i5-3570K 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 3.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 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: 4,971 points. Launch price was $235.

Core i7-3612QE

The Core i7-3612QE 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 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.1 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1023. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: unknown Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 4,929 points. Launch price was $69.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-3570K packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-3612QE's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-3570K versus 3.1 GHz on the Core i7-3612QE — a 20.3% clock advantage for the Core i5-3570K (base: 3.4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-3570K scores 4,971 against the Core i7-3612QE's 4,929 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-3570K. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,000 vs 640, a 43.9% lead for the Core i5-3570K that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3570K vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i7-3612QE.

Feature	Core i5-3570K	Core i7-3612QE
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz+23%	3.1 GHz
Base Clock	3.4 GHz+62%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm	22 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	4,971	4,929
Geekbench 6 Single	1,000+56%	640
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	2,200

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-3570K uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i7-3612QE uses BGA1023 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. The Core i5-3570K supports up to 32 GB of RAM compared to 16 GB — 66.7% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Z75,Z77 (Core i5-3570K) and HM76,QM77 (Core i7-3612QE).

Feature	Core i5-3570K	Core i7-3612QE
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1023
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1600
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB+100%	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	❌	✅
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i5-3570K has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Virtualization support: VT-x, EPT (Core i5-3570K) vs VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-3612QE). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 4000 (Core i5-3570K) and Intel HD Graphics 4000 (Core i7-3612QE) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3570K targets Legacy Gaming Desktop, Core i7-3612QE targets Industrial/Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-3570K rivals FX-8350.

Feature	Core i5-3570K	Core i7-3612QE
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 4000	Intel HD Graphics 4000
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, EPT	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Legacy Gaming Desktop	Industrial/Embedded

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3570K launched at $225 MSRP, while the Core i7-3612QE debuted at $426. At current prices ($35 vs $50), the Core i5-3570K is $15 cheaper. In terms of value (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3570K delivers 142.0 pts/$ vs 98.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-3612QE — making the Core i5-3570K the 36.1% better value option.