A slightly lower cost Ivy Bridge
The Intel Core i5-3470 processor is finally here to offer quad-core IVB processors with HD 2500 graphics. Maybe?
Just a couple of short months ago, Intel released the desktop versions of its latest CPU architecture codenamed Ivy Bridge – and officially named the Intel 3rd Generation Core Processor. Ivy Bridge has a much cleaner sound to it if you ask me.
At launch, we tested and reviewed the highest-end offering, the Core i7-3770K, a quad-core HyperThreaded part that runs as fast as 3.9 GHz with Turbo Boost. It included the highest end processor graphics Intel has developed – the HD 4000. Currently selling for only $350, the i7-3770K is a fantastic processor, but isn’t the bargain that many DIY PC builders are looking for. The new Core i5-3470 from Intel – the processor we are reviewing today – might be just that.
I am not going to spend time discussing the upgrades and benefits that the new Ivy Bridge processors offer over their predecessors, or the competition, from an architectural stand point. If you want some background on Ivy Bridge and why it does what it does, you’ll want to read the first few pages of our original Core i7-3770K / Ivy Bridge review from April.
The Core i5-3470 Processor
Interestingly, in the initial information from Intel about the Ivy Bridge processor lineup, the Core i5-3470 wasn’t even on the list. There was a 3450 and 3550, but nothing in between. The Core i5-3470 currently sells for about $200 and compares with some other Ivy Bridge processors with the following specifications:
Continue reading our review of the Intel Core i5-3470 Ivy Bridge and HD 2500 Processor!!
Compared to the high end Core i7-3770K, the new Core i5-3470 removes the HyperThreading capability as well as the ability to overclock freely with unlocked multipliers. The L3 cache is a bit smaller at 6MB rather than 8MB though all three parts listed above maintain the 77 watt TDP.
The graphics (iGPU) is another shift from the 3770K – the Core i5-3470 utilizes the HD 2500 graphics system rather than the (faster) HD 4000.
The HD 2500 processor graphics implementation uses 6 EUs (execution units) rather than the 16 found in the HD 4000 parts. It is somewhat comparable to the performance found in the Sandy Bridge processors’ HD 2000 configuration. With upgrades in DirectX support and OpenGL support though this iteration should be more compatible, and at least modestly better at gaming, with the architectural changes made to the GPU portion.
For our testing today, we are going to see just how fast both the CPU and GPU portion of the Core i5-3470 can be compared to your options in today’s CPU market.
The most compelling use of
The most compelling use of the HD4000 graphics is in the mid to low end segment. OEM’s may disagree but I think that Intel forgets that they can compete with AMD and Nvidia on the low end discreet GPU segment if they just put their best foot forward.
We are still waiting for their sub $200 chips. Now if they could just marry the great x86 performance with HD4000 (or better…).
If I had to guess, they won’t
If I had to guess, they won't pair their sub-$200 chips with the better HD400 graphics 🙁
That is a pretty good guess.
That is a pretty good guess.
The decision to not do so makes me want to smash 300mm wafers over CEO’s heads.
I don’t understand, is it
I don’t understand, is it just me or do most review sites always give awards now days. To me the simple fact that the 2600K is still avalible for about the same price would make this a no-award product.
Quote : “Still, the Core i5-3470 would make a solid low cost processor for users looking to build a reasonable cost machine for some mainstream gaming and general enthusiast computing.”
If I’m buying a cpu for mainstream gaming and general enthusiast computing I’m not buying a processor with a locked multiplier.
Love the site, keep it up!
Comparison to Ivy i5 3570k in
Comparison to Ivy i5 3570k in benchmarks, wrap-up?
Why does Intel still sell
Why does Intel still sell HD2500 in their chips? Tired of Intel hashing up older GPU architecture just to satisfy price points.
Does this chip matter that
Does this chip matter that much when the i5-3550 already exists? Very small differences between the two chips, and only a $5 difference on Newegg. (A promo right now actually makes the 3550 even cheaper).
I was excited when I first heard about this chip… but now I think it’s just another unnecessary SKU.
Is the intel core i3 cpu&
Is the intel core i3 cpu& intel hd graphic suitable for cfd code in fortran?
what about fluent 6.3?
Eh man yo check it yo! I got
Eh man yo check it yo! I got this Intel stuff from Intel since I am a partner yo! And I can sale it at half price. I got i7’s for $500 and Intel i5’s for $400 and i3’s for $350 yo! That’s cheaper than you ever get it at old egg yo!
If someone offered to trade
If someone offered to trade me a i7 2600K for my i5 3470 I would say NO! I would rather have the new features such as PCIe 3.0 and ect. Yes the hyper threads may put the 2600K a little bit above my 3470, But those are just benchmark applications that have nothing to do with any real applications or with gaming. I was very happy to get this chip to replace my older but still lively i5 750, I only paid a total of $260 for the CPU and a Z77 motherboard, That is unbeatable price/performance. And I was surprised of how much cooler the i5 3470 runs compared to the i5 750 after hearing about Intel’s mistake of using bad paste between the CPU and the thermal contact plate for the heatsink, But overclocked to 3.8ghz I get 28c-30c idle and 60c running the prime95 test, And this is just the stock cooler. However I have a thing I always do while installing a heatsink, When I place a pre-applied paste heatsink on a CPU I move it very very slightly left and right and up and down, (very slightly) When I do that it always seems to make a world of difference on the temps.