Core i5-3570S vs N250
Core i5-3570S
N250
Performance Spectrum - CPU
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 i5-3570S is positioned at rank 751 and the N250 is on rank 133, so the N250 offers better cost-efficiency for playing games.
Avg price is the current average price collected from markets across the web.
Performance Per Dollar Core i5-3570S
Performance Per Dollar N250
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3570S | N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | Balanced gaming performance | Balanced gaming performance |
| Workstation | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks | ✅ Better multi-core power |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($59) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | ✨ Modern (Legacy / Intel 7 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3570S | N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cost Efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency | ❌ Lower cost efficiency |
| Upfront Cost | ⚠️ Higher cost ($59) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
Performance Check
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.
Technical Specifications
Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-3570S and N250
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.
N250
The N250 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 January 2025 (less than a year ago). It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Max frequency: 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache. Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1264. Memory support: DDR4-3200, DDR5-4800, LPDDR5-4800. Passmark benchmark score: 4,773 points. Launch price was $69.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-3570S and N250 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-3570S versus 3.8 GHz on the N250 — identical boost frequencies. The Core i5-3570S is built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. In PassMark, the Core i5-3570S scores 4,686 against the N250's 4,773 — a 1.8% lead for the N250. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3570S vs 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache on the N250.
| Feature | Core i5-3570S | N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz | 3.8 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz | — |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 6 MB Intel® Smart Cache |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | — |
| Process | 22 nm | Intel 7 nm-68% |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | — |
| PassMark | 4,686 | 4,773+2% |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 663 | — |
Memory & Platform
The Core i5-3570S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the N250 uses FCBGA1264 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.
| Feature | Core i5-3570S | N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | FCBGA1264 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 4.0+33% |
| Max RAM Speed | DDR3-1600 | — |
| Max RAM Capacity | 32 GB | — |
| RAM Channels | 2 | — |
| ECC Support | ❌ | — |
| PCIe Lanes | 16 | — |
Advanced Features
Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-3570S) / not specified (N250). The Core i5-3570S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the N250 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-3570S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-3570S rivals A10-5800K.
| Feature | Core i5-3570S | N250 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated GPU | Yes | — |
| IGPU Model | HD Graphics 2500 | — |
| Unlocked | No | — |
| AVX-512 | No | — |
| Virtualization | VT-x, VT-d, EPT | — |
| Target Use | Legacy Desktop | — |
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