Intel Core i5-4570 Buyer's Guide
Positioning and generation
The Intel Core i5-4570 is a fourth-generation Core desktop processor based on the Haswell architecture. On our requirement tier scale it sits in the very old / entry level band, so by today's game standards it is a dated choice.
It includes integrated graphics, which means it can drive a display without a dedicated graphics card. That makes it suitable for office work, video playback and light gaming. Its real strength is everyday computing; against modern game requirements it can only realistically handle entry-level titles.
If you already own one and wonder whether it is still enough, compare the official minimum requirements of the games you want to play before deciding whether to replace it.
Key specs explained
This processor has 4 cores and 4 threads, with no simultaneous multithreading. For modern games that is a limited core count, and it can become a bottleneck in demanding titles, especially when many background programs are running.
Haswell is an older design, so its per-core efficiency trails newer generations by a clear margin. In practice this means the same workload takes longer to finish, and the gap shows most in recent games.
The integrated graphics are fine for basic display output and light tasks, but any game that needs real graphics power requires a dedicated graphics card. Integrated graphics are not a route to high settings or smooth gameplay.
Suitable games and resolutions
Against official requirements, this processor reaches 416 of the 439 catalogue games that publish requirements. Of those, 103 are below the official minimum, 130 only meet the minimum, 126 reach the recommended level, and 57 sit well above the recommended level. It handles a share of lighter titles reasonably well, but many newer or more demanding games will struggle.
Titles that reach the recommended level include Paralives, Timberborn, Hollow Knight: Silksong and Age of Mythology: Retold; these are mostly indie, strategy and simulation games that place less load on the processor. Games such as Big Ambitions and Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition only just meet the minimum, so you will need to lower settings for a comfortable experience. Palworld and Scrap Mechanic fall below the minimum and may not run properly.
For resolution, 1080p is the sensible target with this processor. Moving to higher resolutions does not reduce the processor's workload, so the overall experience becomes tighter rather than better.
Compared with similar hardware
On our tier scale, the Intel Core i5-4570 shares a band with the AMD Ryzen 3 1200, Intel Core i3-6100 and Intel Core i7-2600K. Their requirement coverage is similar, and the real difference depends on the games you play and the rest of your system.
Below it, the Intel Core i7-2600, Intel Core i5-4460 and Intel Core i5-3570K sit at a slightly lower tier, so they generally trail it. Among older platforms, the i5-4570 is a fairly balanced choice for its generation.
Processors on the same tier should be treated as rough references only. Swapping one for another rarely makes a clear difference to gaming, and the bigger gains usually come from planning the whole platform and future upgrades.
Buying new or used
When buying new, check that the motherboard uses the LGA1150 socket. This is the first generation for that socket, and compatible boards are common, but it is still wise to check the motherboard's compatibility list before buying.
The boxed version includes a basic stock cooler; tray units do not. If you buy a tray unit you will need a separate cooler. This processor uses a land grid design: the pins are in the motherboard socket, so take care not to touch them when installing it.
When buying used, inspect the processor for physical damage, ask the seller for proof of purchase and check the warranty status. Because this is an older generation the price is usually low, but confirm it has not been mistreated or damaged before buying.
Upgrade advice
If your current performance only just covers the games you want, upgrading the processor can make sense. Among the upgrade candidates on this site, the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G, Intel Core i3-8100 and Intel Core i5-7500 are clearly faster and newer, so they are worth comparing.
Balance the rest of the system before upgrading. If the graphics card is already the bottleneck, a new processor will bring limited gains, and too little memory will hold back any new chip. It is better to review the graphics card and memory together and decide where the budget will do the most good.
If you only want to extend the life of an older PC, cheaper upgrades such as more memory or a faster storage drive often deliver more value than replacing the processor.