i3-3250 vs i5-3570K

VS

Aggregate performance score

Core i5-3570K
2012
4 cores / 4 threads, 77 Watt
3.12
+103%
Core i3-3250
2013
2 cores / 4 threads, 55 Watt
1.54

Core i5-3570K outperforms Core i3-3250 by a whopping 103% based on our aggregate benchmark results.

Primary details

Comparing Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3250 processor market type (desktop or notebook), architecture, sales start time and price.

Place in the ranking16142120
Place by popularitynot in top-100not in top-100
Cost-effectiveness evaluation0.430.14
Market segmentDesktop processorDesktop processor
SeriesIntel Core i5 (Desktop)no data
Power efficiency3.832.65
Architecture codenameIvy Bridge (2012−2013)Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
Release date29 April 2012 (12 years ago)9 June 2013 (11 years ago)
Launch price (MSRP)$235$138

Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Performance per price, higher is better.

i5-3570K has 207% better value for money than i3-3250.

Detailed specifications

Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3250 basic parameters such as number of cores, number of threads, base frequency and turbo boost clock, lithography, cache size and multiplier lock state. These parameters indirectly say of CPU speed, though for more precise assessment you have to consider their test results.

Physical cores4 (Quad-Core)2 (Dual-core)
Threads44
Base clock speed3.4 GHz3.5 GHz
Boost clock speed3.8 GHz3.5 GHz
Bus rate5 GT/s5 GT/s
L1 cache64K (per core)64 KB (per core)
L2 cache256K (per core)256 KB (per core)
L3 cache6 MB (shared)3 MB (shared)
Chip lithography22 nm22 nm
Die size160 mm294 mm2
Maximum core temperature67 °Cno data
Maximum case temperature (TCase)67 °C65 °C
Number of transistors1,400 millionno data
64 bit support++
Windows 11 compatibility--
Unlocked multiplier+-

Compatibility

Information on Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3250 compatibility with other computer components: motherboard (look for socket type), power supply unit (look for power consumption) etc. Useful when planning a future computer configuration or upgrading an existing one. Note that power consumption of some processors can well exceed their nominal TDP, even without overclocking. Some can even double their declared thermals given that the motherboard allows to tune the CPU power parameters.

Number of CPUs in a configuration11
SocketFCLGA1155FCLGA1155
Power consumption (TDP)77 Watt55 Watt

Technologies and extensions

Technological solutions and additional instructions supported by Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3250. You'll probably need this information if you require some particular technology.

Instruction set extensionsIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVXIntel® SSE4.1, Intel® SSE4.2, Intel® AVX
AES-NI+-
AVX++
Enhanced SpeedStep (EIST)++
My WiFino data+
Turbo Boost Technology2.0-
Hyper-Threading Technology-+
Idle States++
Thermal Monitoring++
FDI++

Security technologies

Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3250 technologies aimed at improving security, for example, by protecting against hacks.

TXT-+
EDB++
Secure Key+-
Identity Protection++
Anti-Theft++

Virtualization technologies

Virtual machine speed-up technologies supported by Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3250 are enumerated here.

VT-d--
VT-x++
EPT++

Memory specs

Types, maximum amount and channel quantity of RAM supported by Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3250. Depending on the motherboard, higher memory frequencies may be supported.

Supported memory typesDDR3DDR3-1333, DDR3-1600
Maximum memory size32 GB32 GB
Max memory channels22
Maximum memory bandwidth25.6 GB/s25.6 GB/s

Graphics specifications

General parameters of integrated GPUs, if any.

Integrated graphics card
Compare
Intel HD Graphics 4000Intel HD Graphics 2500
Quick Sync Video++
Clear Video HD++
Graphics max frequency1.15 GHz1.05 GHz
InTru 3D++

Graphics interfaces

Available interfaces and connections of Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3250 integrated GPUs.

Number of displays supported33

Peripherals

Specifications and connection of peripherals supported by Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3250.

PCIe version3.02.0
PCI Express lanesno data16

Synthetic benchmark performance

Various benchmark results of the processors in comparison. Overall score is measured in points in 0-100 range, higher is better.


Combined synthetic benchmark score

This is our combined benchmark performance rating. We are regularly improving our combining algorithms, but if you find some perceived inconsistencies, feel free to speak up in comments section, we usually fix problems quickly.

i5-3570K 3.12
+103%
i3-3250 1.54

Passmark

Passmark CPU Mark is a widespread benchmark, consisting of 8 different types of workload, including integer and floating point math, extended instructions, compression, encryption and physics calculation. There is also one separate single-threaded scenario measuring single-core performance.

i5-3570K 4955
+103%
i3-3250 2442

GeekBench 5 Single-Core

GeekBench 5 Single-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses only a single CPU core.

i5-3570K 686
+18.1%
i3-3250 581

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core

GeekBench 5 Multi-Core is a cross-platform application developed in the form of CPU tests that independently recreate certain real-world tasks with which to accurately measure performance. This version uses all available CPU cores.

i5-3570K 2052
+74.2%
i3-3250 1178

Gaming performance

Pros & cons summary


Performance score 3.12 1.54
Integrated graphics card 1.18 0.69
Recency 29 April 2012 9 June 2013
Physical cores 4 2
Power consumption (TDP) 77 Watt 55 Watt

i5-3570K has a 102.6% higher aggregate performance score, 71% faster integrated GPU, and 100% more physical cores.

i3-3250, on the other hand, has an age advantage of 1 year, and 40% lower power consumption.

The Core i5-3570K is our recommended choice as it beats the Core i3-3250 in performance tests.


Should you still have questions on choice between Core i5-3570K and Core i3-3250, ask them in Comments section, and we shall answer.

Vote for your favorite

Do you think we are right or mistaken in our choice? Vote by clicking "Like" button near your favorite CPU.


Intel Core i5-3570K
Core i5-3570K
Intel Core i3-3250
Core i3-3250

Similar processor comparisons

We picked several similar comparisons of processors in the same market segment and performance relatively close to those reviewed on this page.

Community ratings

Here you can see how users rate the processors, as well as rate them yourself.


4 1591 vote

Rate Core i5-3570K on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
3.5 199 votes

Rate Core i3-3250 on a scale of 1 to 5:

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5

Questions & comments

Here you can ask a question about Core i5-3570K or Core i3-3250, agree or disagree with our judgements, or report an error or mismatch.