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Intel Core i5-3470T

Intel Core i5-3470T: Outdated, but Still Relevant? A Detailed Review of the 2025 Processor

Introduction

The Intel Core i5-3470T processor, released in 2012, today appears as a relic of the Ivy Bridge era. However, even after 13 years, it remains in use in budget builds and specialized systems. Let's explore who might still find this chip useful in 2025 and whether it’s worth considering.

Key Specifications

Architecture and Process Technology

The i5-3470T is based on the Ivy Bridge microarchitecture (3rd generation Intel Core) with a 22 nm process technology. This is the first generation of Intel where transistors became three-dimensional (3D Tri-Gate), improving energy efficiency.

Key Parameters:

- Cores/Threads: 2/4 (Hyper-Threading).

- Base Frequency: 2.9 GHz, Turbo Boost up to 3.6 GHz.

- Cache: 3 MB L3.

- TDP: 35 W (optimized for compact systems).

Technologies:

- Supports virtualization (VT-x), AES-NI instructions for encryption.

- No support for AVX2 and PCIe 4.0, limiting compatibility with modern software.

Performance:

- Geekbench 6: 573 (Single-Core), 1135 (Multi-Core).

For comparison, the modern budget processor Intel Celeron G6900 (2023) scores around 1500/2500 points.

Compatible Motherboards

Socket and Chipsets

The processor uses the outdated socket LGA1155. Compatible chipsets include:

- H61, B75, H77, Z75, Z77.

The best choice is motherboards based on Z77 (for multiplier overclocking and PCIe 3.0 support), but in 2025, new models are unavailable.

Examples of Models:

- ASUS P8H77-M (Micro-ATX, 4x SATA III).

- Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H (available prices on the used market — $25-40).

Selection Tips:

1. Check USB 3.0 support (available in B75/H77/Z77).

2. For SSDs, ensure SATA III (6 Gbps) ports.

3. New motherboards are not being produced — look for used or refurbished options.

Supported Memory Types

The i5-3470T works only with DDR3:

- Frequencies: up to 1600 MHz (officially).

- Modes: dual-channel (recommended 2 modules of the same size).

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

Recommendations:

- 8 GB (2x4 GB) is sufficient for office tasks.

- 16 GB (2x8 GB) is recommended for multimedia or light gaming.

- DDR4/DDR5 are not supported — this is a major limitation for upgrades.

Power Supply Recommendations

With a TDP of 35 W, the processor is modest in power consumption, but the system as a whole requires:

- Minimum: 300 W (for PCs without a discrete graphics card).

- With a Graphics Card: 400-500 W (for example, for GTX 1650).

Examples of PSUs:

- EVGA 400W 80+ ($45) — for office builds.

- Corsair CX450 ($55) — with overload protection.

Tip: Don’t skimp on the PSU! Older chipsets are sensitive to voltage fluctuations.

Pros and Cons

Advantages

1. Energy Efficiency: ideal for compact PCs (HTPCs, office "thin" clients).

2. Price: used processors cost $15-25 (no new units available).

3. Sufficient Performance for basic tasks (web browsing, office applications).

Disadvantages

1. Outdated Architecture: 40-50% behind in IPC compared to modern CPUs.

2. No support for modern standards: USB 3.1, NVMe, Wi-Fi 6.

3. Limited upgrade potential: the LGA1155 socket is obsolete, and DDR3 slows the system down.

Use Cases

1. Office Tasks

- Real Example: At "Alpha" company, 30 PCs with i5-3470T (8 GB RAM, SSD) work with 1C and Google Workspace without lag.

2. Multimedia Center

- Kodi/Plex: 4K video (with hardware decoding via GPU).

- Example: A user HTPC with Silverstone ML05 (Mini-ITX) and integrated HD 2500 graphics.

3. Light Gaming

- CS:GO: 720p, low settings — 40-60 FPS.

- Minecraft: 60 FPS without mods.

4. Entry-Level Servers

- Home Assistant, NAS: low power consumption and stability.

Not Suitable For:

- 4K video editing.

- Modern gaming (Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2).

Comparison with Competitors

1. AMD A8-5500 (2012)

- Pros: Better integrated graphics (Radeon HD 7560D).

- Cons: Weaker in single-threaded performance (Geekbench 6 Single-Core ~450).

2. Intel Core i3-10100 (2020)

- Price of a new unit: $120 (2025).

- Advantages: 4 cores/8 threads, DDR4, PCIe 3.0.

Conclusion: In 2025, the i5-3470T falls behind even budget new models, yet excels in price on the secondary market.

Practical Assembly Tips

1. SSD is a must! Replacing an HDD with a Kingston A400 (240 GB, $25) will speed up OS boot times threefold.

2. Cooling: The stock cooler is sufficient, but for quiet operation, choose the Arctic Alpine 12 ($15).

3. Case: For a compact build, the Fractal Design Core 500 ($60) is suitable.

4. Check BIOS: Update to the latest version for SSD compatibility.

Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the i5-3470T?

This processor should only be considered in three cases:

1. Ultra-budget Build: If you need a PC for $100-150 (with used components).

2. Upgrade of an Old PC: Replacing weaker CPUs (Pentium G2020) in an existing system.

3. Specialized Tasks: Media center or server, where energy efficiency is important.

Alternative for 2025: A new mini-PC based on Intel N100 (4 cores, 6 W TDP, $150) will offer twice the performance and support for modern standards.

Conclusion

The Intel Core i5-3470T is a classic example of a "workhorse" that has outlived its time. It is no longer relevant for most users, but continues to deliver value in niche scenarios. Buying it is only advisable if there is a strict budget constraint or for nostalgic experiments. In 2025, even $50-70 would be better invested in more modern solutions.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Desktop

Launch Date

April 2012

Model Name

The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.

i5-3470T

Code Name

Ivi Bridge

CPU Specifications

Total Cores

Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

2.90 GHz

Max Turbo Frequency

Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.

3.60 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0 Frequency

3.60 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

2.0

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

Yes

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCLGA1155

Technology

Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.

22 nm

TDP

35 W

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

3.0

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

up to 1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8 & 2x4

Memory Specifications

Memory Type

Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.

DDR3 1333/1600

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

32 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

5 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

25.6 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

GPU Name

Intel® HD Graphics 2500

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

650 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.10 GHz

Number of Displays Supported

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Yes

Instruction Set Extensions

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2 | Intel® AVX

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

3 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Yes

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Yes

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Yes

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Yes

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

573

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

1135

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

715

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

1494

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

1812

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

2983

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

A12-9800E

651 +13.6%

Pentium G3258

617 +7.7%

Core i5-3470T

573

Core i7-2640M

539 -5.9%

Core i3-2125

499 -12.9%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Pentium Gold G6400T

1468 +29.3%

Core m5-6Y57

1298 +14.4%

Core i5-3470T

1135

A8-5600K

1024 -9.8%

Core i5-2450M

927 -18.3%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Core i7-6870HQ

748 +4.6%

Xeon Gold 5115

735 +2.8%

Core i5-3470T

715

Xeon Gold 6148

690 -3.5%

Ryzen 3 PRO 2300U

672 -6%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Core i7-6650U

1692 +13.3%

Ryzen Embedded R2312

1593 +6.6%

Core i5-3470T

1494

Xeon E5-2697 v4

1417 -5.2%

Xeon E5-2403

1359 -9%

Passmark CPU Single Core

Core i5-3470S

1892 +4.4%

Pentium G3258

1857 +2.5%

Core i5-3470T

1812

EPYC 7551P

1787 -1.4%

Ryzen 3 2300U

1762 -2.8%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Celeron 6600HE

3286 +10.2%

A10-6700

3116 +4.5%

Core i5-3470T

2983

Core i5-5257U

2842 -4.7%

Athlon X4 740

2646 -11.3%