Intel Core i5-3470S socket: LGA 1155

What the Core i5-3470S is

Intel Core i5-3470S is a low power quad core Ivy Bridge desktop processor that Intel released in June 2012 for efficient office systems. It runs at 2.9 GHz base with Turbo Boost 2.0 to 3.6 GHz, with 6 MB Intel Smart Cache and 4 threads. Power is rated at 65 W, which trims 12 W against the 77 W Core i5-3470 while keeping the same 3.6 GHz single core peak.

Graphics are Intel HD Graphics 2500 at 650 MHz to 1100 MHz. The block covers dual office monitors and HD video, with Quick Sync for encodes. The chip shares the 22 nm Ivy Bridge core, AVX instructions and dual channel DDR3 controller of the standard quads, so the only trade is base clock.

That trade suits fleets and small forms. All core loads run a little slower than the 77 W twin, while single thread bursts match it. Boards pair the chip with B75, H77 or Q77, 8 GB of RAM and an SSD for quiet operation. The How to find your CPU socket type guide shows how to confirm the socket in a used tower.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Core i5-3470S fits LGA 1155 in FCLGA1155 form. 7 series boards boot it with a shipping BIOS, and most 6 series H61, H67, P67 and Z68 boards accept it after a BIOS update with Ivy Bridge microcode. B65, Q65 and Q67 boards stay with Sandy Bridge. The BIOS step must come first where the board shipped before Ivy Bridge.

At 65 W the chip fits every LGA 1155 board, including slim office designs with small coolers. Choice turns on chipset features and display outputs rather than power. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide details the update path, and Intel Core i5-3470 shows the 77 W twin for direct comparison.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory support is DDR3-1333 and 1600, two channels, up to 32 GB for 25.6 GB/s. Two matched DIMMs give that peak and help the shared HD 2500 block most. ECC is not supported, and DDR4 belongs to newer sockets.

PCI Express is 16 lanes from the CPU at PCIe 3.0, split as 1x16, 2x8 or 1x8 plus 2x4. Office builds often run on integrated graphics alone, since two displays already work from the chip. A low profile 2012 card fits where extra outputs or light 3D work are needed.

Cooling follows the 65 W S rating with a 69.1 C case limit. The stock cooler runs quietly at office loads, and a compact tower helps long turbo holds. The 75 × 75 mm mount is shared with other LGA 1155 through LGA 1200 coolers.

Upgrade paths

On LGA 1155 the Core i5-3470S can move to faster Ivy quads on the same board, either staying at 65 W or stepping to 77 W with a cooler review. Memory and storage carry over, and the board BIOS must list the new model. A slower reference on the same socket is Intel Pentium G2020.

A platform move to DDR4 boards such as LGA 1200 needs a new board, new memory and a new bracket. Keep the 3470S board for quiet office duty where efficiency matters more than peak clocks.