Intel Core i5-4570T

Intel Core i5-4570T: Outdated, but Still Relevant for Specific Tasks

April 2025

Key Features: Energy Efficiency as the Main Advantage

The Intel Core i5-4570T, released in 2013, belongs to the Haswell architecture (4th generation Core) and is manufactured using a 22nm process. It is a dual-core chip with Hyper-Threading support (4 threads), which seems modest in 2025 compared to modern budget 8-core processors. However, its key feature — a TDP of 35W — makes it attractive for compact and silent systems.

Performance:

- Geekbench 6: 960 (single-core), 1719 (multi-core).

- L3 cache: 4 MB.

- Integrated graphics: Intel HD 4600 (basic support for DirectX 11.1, 20 compute units).

Features:

- Quick Sync Video technology for fast video encoding.

- Virtualization support (VT-x, VT-d).

- Energy-saving modes (for example, SpeedStep).

Compatible Motherboards: Hunting for Rarities

The processor uses the LGA1150 socket, which means limited compatibility with modern boards. Current chipsets:

- H81, B85, H87, Q87, Z87 (for overclocking, but the i5-4570T’s multiplier is locked).

Examples of motherboards:

- ASUS H87I-PLUS (Mini-ITX) — compact form, suitable for HTPC.

- Gigabyte GA-B85M-D3H — micro-ATX with support for 32GB DDR3.

Tips:

- New motherboards for LGA1150 have not been produced since 2017. Look for used options on eBay or in local stores (price: $30–60).

- Check for BIOS updates for proper functionality with Haswell.

Supported Memory: Only DDR3

The processor works exclusively with DDR3 (up to 1600 MHz). There is no support for DDR4/DDR5.

- Maximum capacity: 32 GB (depends on the motherboard).

- Dual-channel mode (2×8 GB DDR3-1600) is recommended to improve the performance of integrated graphics.

Important: DDR3L (low voltage) is compatible but not mandatory — the chip supports standard 1.5V voltage.

Power Supply: Minimum Watts — Maximum Reliability

With a TDP of 35W, even an integrated system with the i5-4570T consumes no more than 80–100W under load.

Recommendations:

- For systems without a discrete graphics card: a power supply of 300–400W (for example, Be Quiet! SFX Power 3 400W, $55).

- For silence enthusiasts: passive power supplies (Seasonic Prime Fanless TX-600, but this is excessive).

Real Experience:

A build based on the i5-4570T in a Fractal Design Node 202 case with a Corsair SF450 (450W) has been running silently for 5+ years.

Pros and Cons: Who Is It Still Relevant For?

Pros:

- Low power consumption and heat generation.

- Sufficient performance for office tasks and light video editing.

- The integrated HD 4600 graphics handles 4K video (via HDMI 1.4).

Cons:

- Only 2 cores — multi-threaded applications (e.g., Blender) run slowly.

- No support for PCIe 4.0/5.0, USB 3.2 Gen 2, NVMe (only via adapters).

- Outdated socket: upgrading is impossible without replacing the motherboard.

Usage Scenarios: Where Will the i5-4570T Shine?

1. Office PC:

- Working with documents, browser (10+ tabs), Zoom/Teams.

- Example: office build based on i5-4570T + 16GB DDR3 + 500GB SSD — Windows 11 boot time ≈ 15 seconds.

2. Home Theater PC (HTPC):

- Streaming video (Netflix 4K), Kodi, Plex.

- Connection to TV via HDMI (maximum resolution — 4096×2304 @ 24Hz).

3. Light Gaming:

- Minecraft (60 FPS on medium settings), CS:GO (720p, 40–50 FPS), older RPGs (Skyrim, 1080p, low settings).

4. Entry-Level Server:

- NAS based on OpenMediaVault, home cloud server (Nextcloud).

Comparison with Competitors: Battle of Generations

AMD A10-7850K (2014):

- Pros: Better graphics (Radeon R7), 4 cores.

- Cons: TDP 95W, weaker in single-threaded tasks (Geekbench 6 Single Core ≈ 700).

Intel Pentium Gold G7400 (2023):

- Pros: 2 cores, 4 threads, DDR4-3200, PCIe 5.0.

- Cons: Price ($75) is higher than used i5-4570T ($25–40).

Conclusion: In 2025, the i5-4570T falls behind even budget newcomers but wins in terms of price on the secondary market.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. Case: Choose mini-ITX (Cooler Master Elite 110) or slim solutions (Silverstone ML05B).

2. Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient, but for silence, replace it with a Noctua NH-L9i.

3. Storage: An SSD is essential (Samsung 870 EVO 500GB, $45) — HDDs will "bottleneck" the system.

4. Network: Add a PCIe Wi-Fi 6 adapter (if the board lacks one), for example, Intel AX200 ($25).

Final Conclusion: Who Is the i5-4570T Suitable For in 2025?

This processor is suitable for:

- Budget build enthusiasts: If you need to assemble a PC for $150–200 (considering used components).

- Minimalism lovers: Compact HTPC or office PCs where silence and size are more important than raw power.

- Temporary solutions: For example, as a server for trial software deployment.

Why not to buy? If you plan to work with modern games, VR, AI applications — even the Intel Core i3-12100 ($110) will be three times faster.

Conclusion: The Intel Core i5-4570T in 2025 is a niche option. It is not for everyone, but for some, it offers the ideal combination of price, energy efficiency, and adequate performance.