Intel Core i5-3470 Ivy Bridge Quad-Core CPU Review

by Marco Chiappetta — Thursday, May 31, 2012, 12:00 AM EDT

For this next set of tests, we pit the integrated processor graphics incorporated into the Ivy Bridge-based Intel Core i5-3470 against a couple of the least expensive, current-generation discrete GPUs from NVIDIA and AMD, the GeForce GT 430 and Radeon HD 6450 and Radeon HD 5550, respectively. A couple of Sandy Bridge-based processors with integrated Intel HD 3000 series graphics and the Core i7-3770K with the HD 4000 are thrown into the mix as well.

Intel HD Graphics vs. Discrete GPUs

Gaming Benchmarks

According to 3DMark Vantage, the Intel HD 2500 series graphics engine offers roughly half the performance of the HD 4000 and finishes just behind the HD 3000 when paired to the Core i5-2500 (CPU speeds affect this benchmark). All of the entry-level discrete cards were significantly faster.

In our in-game tests, we've also included a few numbers for the Core i5-3470 / HD 2500 running without any anti-aliasing enabled. Regardless, in-game performance is significantly lower than the HD 4000 and playable framerates at a full HD resolution are not likely with most games.

Tags: Intel, CPU, processor, Ivy Bridge, Ivy-Bridge, Core-i5

Marco Chiappetta

Marco's interest in computing and technology dates all the way back to his early childhood. Even before being exposed to the Commodore P.E.T. and later the Commodore 64 in the early ‘80s, he was interested in electricity and electronics, and he still has the modded AFX cars and shop-worn soldering irons to prove it. Once he got his hands on his own Commodore 64, however, computing became Marco's passion. Throughout his academic and professional lives, Marco has worked with virtually every major platform from the TRS-80 and Amiga, to today's high end, multi-core servers. Over the years, he has worked in many fields related to technology and computing, including system design, assembly and sales, professional quality assurance testing, and technical writing. In addition to being the Managing Editor here at HotHardware for close to 15 years, Marco is also a freelance writer whose work has been published in a number of PC and technology related print publications and he is a regular fixture on HotHardware’s own Two and a Half Geeks webcast. - Contact: marco(at)hothardware(dot)com