Apple M4 vs Intel Core i5-3470

The Intel Core i5-3470 is a desktop processor that was launched in the second quarter of 2012 and targeted the mainstream desktop market for everyday computing tasks and office applications.

It is based on the Ivy Bridge S architecture and manufactured using a 22 nm process. With 4 cores and 4 threads, along with 6 MB of Level 3 Cache, it offered basic computing power. Connectivity is via PCIe 3.0. In single-core tests, the Intel Core i5-3470 offers solid performance for single applications, while its multi-core performance is limited for modern, parallelized workloads.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 2500 is only suitable for very simple games. With a TDP of 77 watts, its power consumption was appropriate for its time. Today, it is only available cheaply used and provides basic computing power for older systems or simple applications. The Apple M4 is a System-on-a-Chip introduced in May 2024, aimed at high efficiency and advanced performance for creative and demanding applications.

Manufactured using the state-of-the-art 3 nm process, it integrates a 10-core CPU and a powerful 10-core Apple M4 (10 Core) graphics unit. With 20 MB of Level 2 Cache and a memory bandwidth of 120 GB/s, the Apple M4 delivers significantly superior single-core and multi-core performance.

Its graphics unit enables smooth gaming and professional graphics applications, especially those natively optimized for the Apple Silicon architecture. The energy efficiency of the Apple M4 is outstanding, leading to low power consumption and minimal heat generation. As an integral part of Apple products, it is not available separately, but offers premium performance as part of the overall package.