Intel Core i5-3570T socket: LGA 1155

What the Core i5-3570T is

Intel Core i5-3570T is a low power quad core Ivy Bridge desktop processor that Intel released in April 2012 for small forms and quiet towers. It runs at 2.3 GHz base with Turbo Boost 2.0 to 3.3 GHz, with 6 MB Intel Smart Cache and 4 threads. Power is rated at 45 W, the lowest quad rating in the desktop Ivy line. The 22 nm process carries that mix without a large heatsink.

Graphics are Intel HD Graphics 2500 at 650 MHz to 1150 MHz, with Quick Sync and three display support. The block suits office monitors and video, while the low CPU power leaves room in tiny power supplies for a small discrete card where needed. The chip keeps the dual channel DDR3 controller and AVX of its faster twins.

Low base clock with a full 1.0 GHz turbo range gives a distinct rhythm. Idle and light work sip power, while short bursts still reach 3.3 GHz. Systems pair it with H77, B75 or Q77 mini ITX boards and a low profile cooler. The How to find your CPU socket type guide helps confirm the socket in a compact case.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Core i5-3570T 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 stay Sandy Bridge only. The 45 W rating fits every LGA 1155 board, including thin mini ITX with modest delivery.

Small boards are the natural match, where the low heat allows a short heatsink and a quiet fan curve. The BIOS must list the exact 3570T string, since its power tables differ from 65 W and 77 W quads. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide explains the update order for older boards.

Memory, PCIe and cooling

Memory support is DDR3-1333 and 1600, two channels, up to 32 GB for 25.6 GB/s. Small boards with two slots still want matched pairs for the shared graphics block. ECC is not supported, and DDR4 needs a newer socket.

PCI Express is 16 lanes from the CPU at PCIe 3.0, split as 1x16, 2x8 or 1x8 plus 2x4. Most 3570T builds stay on integrated graphics to preserve the low power goal, since HD 2500 already drives office displays. A low profile card fits where an extra display or light 3D work is planned.

Cooling is a 45 W low profile design that favors quiet operation over sustained all core turbo. A short tower or a quality low profile cooler holds bursts well in a ventilated small case. The 75 × 75 mm mount matches standard LGA coolers with the right height.

Upgrade paths

On LGA 1155 the Core i5-3570T can move to 65 W or 77 W Ivy quads on the same board where the case and cooler allow more heat. Examples include S parts that keep power modest and standard parts that add base clock. Memory and storage carry over, while the cooler often grows with the power step. Intel Core i3-3220 shows a lower power dual core alternative on the same socket.

Staying at 45 W means staying with the chip. A move to a newer efficient platform needs a new board and DDR4 memory. Keep the 3570T system for silent service where its quad cores at low power still cover the job.