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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i5-3570S

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $84 less on MSRP ($213 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).
✅Delivers 40.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.0 vs 15.6 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2600S across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Core i7-2600S

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.4% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,637 vs 4,686).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.6 vs 22.0 PassMark/$ ($297 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).

Core i5-3570S

2012

Core i7-2600S

2011

Why buy it

✅+1.1% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $84 less on MSRP ($213 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).
✅Delivers 40.9% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.0 vs 15.6 PassMark/$ ($213 MSRP vs $297 MSRP).

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +21.4% higher average FPS across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (8 MB vs 6 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-2600S across 5 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (6 MB vs 8 MB).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (4,637 vs 4,686).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 15.6 vs 22.0 PassMark/$ ($297 MSRP vs $213 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3570S better than Core i7-2600S?

It depends on what matters more to you. For gaming, Core i7-2600S is ahead with a 21.4% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3570S pulls ahead with 1.1% better PassMark. Core i7-2600S 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 i5-3570S is the better fit. You are getting 1.1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3570S is the smarter buy today. Core i5-3570S is $84 cheaper on MSRP at $213 MSRP versus $297 MSRP, and it gives you 1.1% better PassMark. The trade-off is that Core i7-2600S is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 21.4% average FPS lead across 5 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 40.9% better value on MSRP (22.0 vs 15.6 PassMark/$), so the better CPU is not just faster, it is also the cleaner value play on paper.

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

Core i5-3570S is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom should age better as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Games Benchmarks

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 i5-3570S Benchmark Check

Core i7-2600S Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-3570S	Core i7-2600S
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	107 FPS	110 FPS
ultra	83 FPS	89 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	114 FPS	115 FPS
high	90 FPS	91 FPS
ultra	69 FPS	73 FPS
4K
low	66 FPS	63 FPS
medium	56 FPS	56 FPS
high	44 FPS	44 FPS
ultra	34 FPS	35 FPS

Open Core i5-3570S Open Core i7-2600S

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-3570S	Core i7-2600S
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	105 FPS	109 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	114 FPS
high	95 FPS	93 FPS
ultra	71 FPS	67 FPS

Open Core i5-3570S Open Core i7-2600S

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-3570S	Core i7-2600S
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i5-3570S Open Core i7-2600S

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-3570S	Core i7-2600S
1080p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
1440p
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS
4K
low	117 FPS	116 FPS
medium	117 FPS	116 FPS
high	117 FPS	116 FPS
ultra	117 FPS	116 FPS

Open Core i5-3570S Open Core i7-2600S

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3570S and Core i7-2600S

Core i5-3570S

The Core i5-3570S 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 3.1 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): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,686 points. Launch price was $285.

Core i7-2600S

The Core i7-2600S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 8192 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,637 points. Launch price was $210.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-3570S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, matching the Core i7-2600S's 4 cores. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-3570S versus 3.8 GHz on the Core i7-2600S — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.8 GHz). The Core i5-3570S uses the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture (22 nm), while the Core i7-2600S uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-3570S scores 4,686 against the Core i7-2600S's 4,637 — a 1.1% lead for the Core i5-3570S. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 663 vs 630, a 5.1% lead for the Core i5-3570S that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3570S vs 8192 kB (total) on the Core i7-2600S.

Feature	Core i5-3570S	Core i7-2600S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	3.8 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+11%	2.8 GHz
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)	8192 kB (total)+33%
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	22 nm-31%	32 nm
Architecture	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	4,686+1%	4,637
Geekbench 6 Single	663+5%	630

🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR3-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,B75,H77,Z75,Z77 (Core i5-3570S) and H61,H67,Z68,B75 (Core i7-2600S).

Feature	Core i5-3570S	Core i7-2600S
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1600	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2500 (Core i5-3570S) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i7-2600S) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3570S targets Legacy Desktop, Core i7-2600S targets Low Power Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3570S rivals A10-5800K; Core i7-2600S rivals Phenom II X4 910e.

Feature	Core i5-3570S	Core i7-2600S
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2500	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	Low Power Desktop

💰

Value Analysis

The Core i5-3570S launched at $213 MSRP, while the Core i7-2600S debuted at $297. On MSRP ($213 vs $297), the Core i5-3570S is $84 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-3570S delivers 22.0 pts/$ vs 15.6 pts/$ for the Core i7-2600S — making the Core i5-3570S the 34% better value option.