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Intel Core i5-4570T: Outdated, but Still Relevant for Specific Tasks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