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The Intel Core i5-4570 is a locked, non-K processor, so it cannot be overclocked like an i5-4670K or i5-4690K. With a suitable Z87 or Z97 motherboard, a small base-clock (BCLK) increase may bring it to roughly 3.7–3.8 GHz, but that is not guaranteed; for most owners, the practical gain is modest and stock Turbo Boost is the better target.
What the i5-4570 does at stock settings
Intel specifies the i5-4570 as a four-core, four-thread Haswell processor for the LGA1150 socket. Its base frequency is 3.20 GHz, and its maximum Turbo Boost frequency is 3.60 GHz. It has 6 MB of cache, an 84 W TDP, and supports DDR3 or DDR3L memory at 1333 or 1600 MT/s. Intel marks the model as retired on its specifications page.
The advertised 3.60 GHz is a maximum Turbo frequency, not a promise that every core will run at that speed continuously in every workload. Actual Turbo behavior depends on factors such as active-core count, temperature, power limits, and motherboard firmware. If the CPU is not reaching expected Turbo speeds, check cooling, power settings, and firmware before attempting an overclock.
Why it cannot use a normal multiplier overclock
The i5-4570 has a locked multiplier. In contrast, the i5-4670K and i5-4690K are unlocked Haswell alternatives designed for multiplier overclocking when paired with appropriate hardware. Intel describes unlocked K- and X-series processors and compatible motherboard support in its overclocking guidance.
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Turbo Boost is normal processor operation, not proof that the chip is unlocked. Reports of 4.0–4.5 GHz Haswell results generally concern unlocked K-series chips and should not be treated as realistic i5-4570 expectations. Old board-specific firmware tricks sometimes altered Turbo ratios on non-K processors, but they were never a dependable substitute for an unlocked CPU and may disappear with a BIOS update. Intel’s official Core overclocking support position is outlined here.
Realistic frequency limits
| Approach | Approximate frequency | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Stock operation | Up to 3.60 GHz | Intel’s advertised maximum Turbo frequency; sustained clocks vary with workload and system conditions. |
| Turbo or power-limit tuning | Roughly 3.4–3.6 GHz | Some boards may hold higher Turbo behavior across workloads; this is not a conventional multiplier overclock. |
| Modest BCLK increase | About 3.67–3.78 GHz | A possible range on a suitable board, not a guaranteed result. Around 3.7 GHz is a sensible practical target. |
| 4.0 GHz or higher | Not a normal expectation | Do not assume this is achievable or dependable on a locked i5-4570. |
CPU frequency is broadly calculated as BCLK multiplied by the CPU ratio. With the processor’s maximum 36× ratio, 102 MHz BCLK gives about 3.672 GHz, 103 MHz gives 3.708 GHz, and 104 MHz gives 3.744 GHz. Around 105 MHz would imply about 3.78 GHz, but many systems will not remain stable there. Intel explains the general BCLK-times-ratio relationship in its overclocking guide.
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These figures are estimates, not a universal ceiling. Historical Haswell enthusiast reports describe narrow stable BCLK ranges and instability “holes”; results depend on the motherboard, firmware, memory configuration, connected devices, and individual CPU. See the contemporary i5-4570 and Z87 discussion. A move from 3.6 to 3.7 GHz is only about a 3% clock increase, and application gains may be smaller or negligible when the workload is limited elsewhere.
Check the motherboard before changing settings
The i5-4570 is listed as compatible with Intel chipset families including H81, B85, H87, Q87, Q85, Z87, H97, and Z97. Compatibility means the processor can work on supported boards; it does not mean every board exposes BCLK controls. Intel’s compatible-chipset listing is not an overclocking capability list.
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- Intel CM8064601464707 Core i5-4570 Processor 3.2GHz 6MB LGA 1150 CPU OEM
- OEM
- Intel CM8064601464707
- Z87/Z97: The most plausible choices for BCLK experimentation and advanced CPU controls, although features vary by board and BIOS.
- H87/B85/H97 and other mainstream boards: Often suitable for normal CPU operation, but may expose fewer relevant settings.
- OEM systems: Dell, HP, Lenovo, and similar systems often use restricted firmware without usable overclocking controls.
- Board quality: A board that supports the CPU may still have limited voltage controls or a weak power-delivery design. A BIOS update can also remove undocumented non-K behavior.
Identify the exact motherboard model and BIOS version in its setup utility or system-information tool, then check the manufacturer’s manual for clock controls and CMOS-recovery instructions. Menu labels vary; controls may be under headings such as AI Tweaker, OC, M.I.T., or Advanced Frequency. An ASUS Z87-Pro CPU-support page illustrates that CPU support and BIOS compatibility are board-specific.
What BCLK adjustment changes
Raising BCLK can raise more than the CPU core clock. Depending on the board’s clock architecture and selected strap, it can affect memory and I/O-related clocks as well. That is why a small increase can trigger memory errors, PCIe or storage problems, USB faults, or a failed boot before the CPU itself reaches a thermal limit. A higher memory ratio can compound the problem, so memory settings matter during testing.
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- LGA 1151, Compatible with Intel 100 Series Chipset Motherboards
- DDR4 & DDR3L Support
- Display Resolution up to 4096x2304
- Intel Turbo Boost Technology
- Please make sure your motherboard support the CPU before you place the order
Keep the starting point at 100 MHz. Treat 101–103 MHz as cautious steps, and 104–105 MHz as optimistic territory that may be unstable. Do not make a large jump or assume that one working system’s limit applies to another.
How to test a small BCLK increase
This is a conservative procedure, not a universal BIOS recipe. If the motherboard manual does not document clock controls or recovery, leave the CPU at stock settings.
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- Model: Intel Core i5 Processor i5-4570S
- Core Count: 4
- Clock Speed: 2.9 GHz
- Max Turbo Frequency: 3.6 GHz
- Intel Smart Cache: 6 MB Processor Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4600 Socket: LGA 1150
- Prepare the system. Confirm the motherboard model and BIOS version, back up important data, check that the cooler is mounted correctly, clear dust, and record stock temperatures and clock behavior. Know how to clear CMOS before changing settings.
- Start from a known baseline. Load BIOS defaults, leave BCLK at 100 MHz, and verify Turbo Boost is enabled. Use memory at its rated setting, or temporarily select a lower memory ratio while evaluating BCLK.
- Avoid automatic voltage surprises. Disable any motherboard “performance enhancement” setting that applies unrequested voltage. Do not copy a voltage value from another board or processor; voltage behavior depends on the board, BIOS, load-line calibration, cooling, and chip.
- Increase BCLK gradually. If the BIOS exposes it, try 101 MHz, test, then 102 MHz and test again. Proceed to 103–104 MHz only if each earlier step is stable. Recheck the effective memory frequency after every change.
- Monitor and validate. Use a hardware monitor such as HWiNFO, CPU-Z, or Core Temp, then run a repeatable CPU test. Intel discusses BIOS controls and monitoring in its BIOS overclocking guide.
- Stop at the first sign of trouble. Revert to the last stable BCLK if errors or device problems appear. For this locked processor, a few percent of extra frequency rarely justifies materially higher voltage.
Do not assume that a successful Windows boot proves stability. After each change, begin with a short test; once you have a target, run a longer CPU stress test, check memory separately, and use the system for several hours of ordinary work or gaming. Watch for temperature and clock throttling, WHEA hardware errors, test errors, application crashes, blue screens, random reboots, file corruption, or USB, SATA, and PCIe faults.
Intel’s general overclocking material warns that higher frequency and voltage increase heat and gives broad guidance of staying below 1.4 V with traditional cooling and keeping long-duration temperatures around or below 80°C. Those are not Haswell-specific guarantees or recommended targets for this locked i5-4570; do not use 1.4 V as a setting to aim for. Prefer stock or conservative voltage behavior and stop if temperatures approach the platform’s thermal limit.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Recover if the system will not boot
- Power the computer off completely, switch off the PSU, and disconnect power if needed.
- Use the motherboard’s Clear CMOS button or jumper, or follow its documented battery-removal procedure.
- Boot with default settings, then lower BCLK to the last known stable value or leave it at 100 MHz.
- Restore the memory ratio if you changed it. If memory training repeatedly fails, try one DIMM at default settings.
- If storage errors or Windows instability occurred, check the drive and system files before attempting another overclock.
BCLK instability can affect components beyond the CPU. If the system becomes unreliable, restore defaults rather than repeatedly forcing it to boot.
Is overclocking worth it?
Experimenting can make sense if you already have a suitable Z87 or Z97 board, adequate cooling, a reliable power supply, and time to troubleshoot. It is usually a poor fit for an OEM system, a board without clock controls, a hot or dusty system, an aging power supply, or a machine with important unbacked-up data.
Do not buy an expensive Z-series motherboard solely to gain a few percent from the i5-4570. The processor is discontinued, compatible boards are old, and the small potential speed gain may not justify the cost or stability risk. Better first steps are to restore cooling, replace dried thermal paste if needed, ensure Turbo Boost works, use sufficient dual-channel memory, and determine whether a gaming bottleneck is actually the GPU.
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Alternatives if the CPU is holding the system back
- Improve stock performance: Clean the cooler, check its mount and thermal paste, and verify that the processor can sustain its normal Turbo behavior.
- Change the graphics card: Consider this only if the workload is GPU-limited; a CPU frequency bump will not fix a graphics bottleneck.
- Move to an unlocked Haswell chip: An i5-4670K or i5-4690K can use multiplier overclocking with a suitable board, but compare the combined used-part cost before buying.
- Upgrade platforms: If LGA1150 replacement parts are expensive, compare the total cost of a newer CPU, motherboard, and memory rather than spending heavily on obsolete hardware.
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