Intel Core i5-4570

Intel Core i5-4570: Is It Worth Buying in 2025? A Comprehensive Review of an Outdated but Resilient Processor

Introduction: Nostalgia or Rational Choice?

In 2025, the Intel Core i5-4570 seems like a relic of the past. Released in 2013, this processor has survived three generations of DDR memory, the PCIe 4.0/5.0 revolution, and the rise of multi-core CPUs. However, it can still be found in budget PC builds on the secondary market. Let's explore who might benefit from this "veteran" in the era of neural networks and quantum computing.

Key Specifications: What's Under the Hood?

Haswell Architecture: A Step Forward in 2013

- Manufacturing Process: 22 nm (compared to 7 nm for modern Ryzen 8000).

- Cores/Threads: 4/4 (by 2025, even budget CPUs have 6/12).

- Frequencies: 3.2–3.6 GHz (base/turbo). Modest, but sufficient for light tasks.

- L3 Cache: 6 MB (the Ryzen 5 7500F has 32 MB).

- TDP: 84 W — lower than modern i5s (125–150 W).

Key Features of Its Time:

- AVX2 Support — relevant for retro-optimization enthusiasts.

- Intel HD 4600 — can run Minecraft or Dota 2 at low settings.

- Power-saving Technologies — standard in 2025.

Compatible Motherboards: A Hunt for Rarities

LGA 1150 Socket: A World That No Longer Exists

- Chipsets: H81 (budget), B85 (optimal), Z87 (overclocking). New boards haven’t been produced since 2016.

- 2025 Reality: Prices for used boards start at $30 (H81) up to $80 (Z87). New samples are rare (for example, ASUS Z87-A at auctions for $150+).

Selection Tips:

- Check the condition of VRM modules — old boards are prone to overheating.

- Look for models with USB 3.0 and SATA III — for SSDs.

- Avoid boards without UEFI — there may be issues booting from modern drives.

Memory: DDR3 in the Era of DDR6

Specifications:

- Type: DDR3-1333/1600 (maximum of 32 GB).

- Real Speed: In synthetic tests (AIDA64) — 20–25 GB/s (compared to 60–90 GB/s for DDR5).

Real-World Example:

A combination of 2x8 GB DDR3-1600 (used price — $25) + SSD provides acceptable speeds for Windows 11 (with caveats). However, rendering 4K or working with neural networks is not suitable for this system.

Power Supply: Modest Appetite

Recommendations:

- Minimum: 400 W (e.g., be quiet! System Power 10, $45).

- With discrete GPU: 500–550 W (EVGA 500 BR, $60).

- Important: Even old PSUs with 80+ Bronze will suffice — the CPU is not demanding.

Example Build:

- i5-4570 + GTX 1650 (75 W) + 2 SSDs = ~200 W under load. A 400 W PSU would be sufficient.

Pros and Cons: Balance for 2025

Pros:

- Price: Used CPU — $15–25.

- Reliability: The "indestructibility" of Haswell is proven over the years.

- Energy Efficiency: 84 W compared to 150 W for modern i5s.

Cons:

- No PCIe 4.0/5.0 support — an RTX 4060 would work at x8 3.0.

- DDR3 — a bottleneck for performance.

- 4 threads — a drawback for multitasking (Chrome + Photoshop + streaming).

Use Cases: Where Is It Still Relevant?

1. Office PC:

Word, Excel, a browser with 10 tabs — no problem. Add an SSD ($30 for 480 GB) — it will fly.

2. Home Media Center:

Streaming 4K via Plex? Yes, if there's an iGPU HD 4600 with H.264 decoding. But AV1 and VP9 — no go.

3. Retro Gaming:

Skyrim, GTA V, CS2 at medium settings (with a GTX 1060-level GPU). But Cyberpunk 2077 would be a slideshow.

4. Home “Server”:

NAS based on TrueNAS — there’s enough power. But transcoding 4K is too heavy.

Competitors: Who Was Nearby?

1. AMD FX-8350 (2012):

8 cores but weak IPC. In 2025, it loses even in multi-threading (Geekbench 6 Multi: ~2000).

2. Intel Xeon E3-1230 v3 (analog of i7-4770):

Used price is $30–40. 8 threads — better for multitasking.

3. Modern Budget CPUs (2025):

Intel Core i3-14100F ($120) — 4 cores/8 threads, DDR5, 2.5 times faster in single-threaded tasks.

Building Tips: How Not to Miss Out

1. Don’t Skimp on the SSD: Kingston A400 480 GB ($30) will reduce latencies.

2. GPU — no higher than RTX 3050: PCIe 3.0 x16 will suffice, but powerful GPUs will bottleneck with the CPU.

3. Cooling: The stock cooler is noisy but effective. Replacing it with a DeepCool GAMMAXX 400 ($20) reduces temperatures by 10°C.

4. OS: Windows 10 is better than 11 (TPM requirements can be bypassed but are unstable).

Conclusion: Who Is the i5-4570 Suitable for in 2025?

This processor is a choice for:

- Minimalism Enthusiasts: A PC build for $150 (without GPU).

- Temporary Solutions: While saving for a Ryzen 5 8600G.

- Nostalgics of the 2010s: Retro builds with GTX 780.

But remember: Even the new Intel N100 ($120) offers comparable performance with support for DDR5 and PCIe 5.0. The i5-4570 is the past, but for some, it's an enjoyable and inexpensive option.