
Core i5-3570S vs Xeon E3-1220 v2

Core i5-3570S

Xeon E3-1220 v2
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 Xeon E3-1220 v2 is on rank 581, so the Xeon E3-1220 v2 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 Xeon E3-1220 v2
Performance Comparison
About PassMark🏆 Chipversus Verdict
🚀 Performance Leadership
| Insight | Core i5-3570S | Xeon E3-1220 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming | ✅ Superior gaming performance | ❌ Lower gaming performance |
| Workstation | ✅ Better multi-core power | ❌ Weaker in multi-core tasks |
| Price | ⚠️ Higher cost ($59) | ✅ More affordable ($0) |
| Longevity | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) | 🛑 Legacy (Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) / 22 nm) |
💎 Value Proposition
| Insight | Core i5-3570S | Xeon E3-1220 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Xeon E3-1220 v2

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.

Xeon E3-1220 v2
The Xeon E3-1220 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 14 May 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 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 69 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 4,680 points. Launch price was $220.
Processing Power
Both the Core i5-3570S and Xeon E3-1220 v2 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-3570S versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1220 v2 — a 8.2% clock advantage for the Core i5-3570S (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). Both are built on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture using a 22 nm process. In PassMark, the Core i5-3570S scores 4,686 against the Xeon E3-1220 v2's 4,680 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-3570S. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3570S vs 8 MB (total) on the Xeon E3-1220 v2.
| Feature | Core i5-3570S | Xeon E3-1220 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores / Threads | 4 / 4 | 4 / 4 |
| Boost Clock | 3.8 GHz+9% | 3.5 GHz |
| Base Clock | 3.1 GHz | 3.1 GHz |
| L3 Cache | 6 MB (total) | 8 MB (total)+33% |
| L2 Cache | 256 kB (per core) | 256 kB (per core) |
| Process | 22 nm | 22 nm |
| Architecture | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) | Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) |
| PassMark | 4,686 | 4,680 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 663 | — |
Memory & Platform
Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 3.0.
| Feature | Core i5-3570S | Xeon E3-1220 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| Socket | LGA1155 | LGA1155 |
| PCIe Generation | PCIe 3.0 | PCIe 3.0 |
| 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 (Xeon E3-1220 v2). The Core i5-3570S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2500), while the Xeon E3-1220 v2 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 | Xeon E3-1220 v2 |
|---|---|---|
| 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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