Intel Core i5-3470T socket: LGA 1155

What the Core i5-3470T is

Intel Core i5-3470T is an unusual LGA 1155 desktop part that Intel released in June 2012 for very low power desktops and all in ones. It has 2 cores with Hyper-Threading for 4 threads, unlike the four core i5 quads around it. Clocks run at 2.9 GHz base to 3.6 GHz turbo, with 3 MB Intel Smart Cache. Power is rated at only 35 W on a 22 nm process.

That mix targets quiet systems. Two Ivy cores with high turbo give strong single thread response, while the low power rating allows tiny heatsinks and slim chassis. Graphics are Intel HD Graphics 2500 at 650 MHz to 1100 MHz, enough for office displays and video without a card. The memory controller takes DDR3 at 1333 or 1600 MT/s.

The T suffix marks the 35 W class, well below the 45 W, 65 W and 77 W desktop steps. Boards pair it with H77, B75 or Q77 and a small power brick or an efficient ATX supply. The LGA, PGA and BGA: CPU package types explained guide helps place this solder free LGA low power part against mobile BGA designs.

Socket and motherboard compatibility

The Core i5-3470T 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 with Sandy Bridge. The low power rating never blocks a board, since every LGA 1155 design covers 35 W easily.

Firmware matters more than power. The board must list the exact 3470T string, because its two core tables differ from quad i5 entries. Thin mini ITX and all in one boards are the natural home, where the small cooler and limited airflow suit 35 W. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers the update sequence for 6 series 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 often provide only two SODIMM or DIMM slots, so two matched modules still matter 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, arranged as 1x16, 2x8 or 1x8 plus 2x4. Most 3470T systems never add a card, since the point is low power and quiet operation on integrated graphics. Where a low profile card is added, total system power stays modest because the CPU contributes only 35 W.

Cooling is a low profile 35 W design with a high turbo ceiling, so short bursts reach 3.6 GHz before heat builds. A tiny aluminum heatsink with a slow fan holds that behavior in a ventilated slim case. The 75 × 75 mm mount accepts standard LGA coolers with the correct height.

Upgrade paths

On LGA 1155 the Core i5-3470T can move to quad i5 parts on the same board where the chassis and power supply allow more heat. Examples include efficient S quads at 65 W or standard quads at 77 W, with Intel Core i5-3470S as a close 65 W step. The board stays, while the cooler often needs an upgrade with the power step. Memory and storage carry over.

Keeping the 35 W envelope means keeping the chip. A move to a newer low power platform needs a new board and DDR4 memory, such as later thin mini ITX designs. For silent office duty the 3470T board often stays as is, since its performance per watt still covers light tasks.