CPU Comparison

The benchmark data is unequivocal: the Intel Celeron N5100 outperforms the Intel Core i5-2400S in every single head-to-head test recorded, despite the i5-2400S carrying a much higher TDP and a more complex architecture. The Celeron N5100 wins all five comparative benchmarks, with margins ranging from 7.1% to 7.4% in the Celeron’s favor. This is a complete sweep, and the data shows that the newer 10nm Tremont-based chip is decisively ahead in both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads. The average benchmark scores reinforce this: the i5-2400S averages 968, while the Celeron N5100 averages 966, placing them within 0.2% of each other overall, but the specific Cinebench tests show a consistent and clear advantage for the Celeron.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant differences appear in the multi-core Cinebench tests, where the Celeron N5100’s lead is most pronounced. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Celeron N5100 scores 282 against the i5-2400S’s 262, a delta of -7.1% from the i5’s perspective. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, with the Celeron posting 1179 versus 1092, a -7.4% gap. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the same story: 2809 for the Celeron against 2601 for the i5, again a -7.4% difference. These results indicate that the Celeron’s four Tremont cores deliver more sustained throughput than the four Sandy Bridge cores of the i5-2400S, even though the i5 has a much higher base clock and a larger shared L3 cache.

Single-core performance tells a similar, though slightly narrower, tale. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the Celeron N5100 scores 166, while the i5-2400S manages 154, a -7.2% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the Celeron at 396 and the i5 at 367, a -7.3% difference. These results are particularly striking because the i5-2400S has a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, which is 0.50 GHz higher than the Celeron’s 2.80 GHz boost. The data suggests that the Celeron’s newer architecture is far more efficient at executing instructions per clock, allowing it to overcome the raw clock speed disadvantage. The i5-2400S does have a higher absolute clock speed, but the Celeron’s architectural efficiency wins out in every measured scenario.

It is also worth remembering the i5-2400S has a Geekbench multi-core score of 1709 and a single-core score of 593, but the Celeron N5100 does not have corresponding Geekbench scores in the dataset. Therefore, the only direct comparisons available are the five Cinebench tests, all of which favor the Celeron. The i5-2400S’s 26th percentile ranking among all CPUs matches the Celeron N5100’s 26th percentile, meaning both chips sit in the same performance tier overall, but the head-to-head Cinebench data shows a consistent edge for the Celeron. The nearest rival data for each chip also confirms their similarity: the Celeron N5100 is within 0.2% of the i5-2400S in average score, and each lists the other as a close competitor.

The Verdict

From the data alone, the Intel Celeron N5100 is the superior processor for anyone prioritizing raw benchmark performance. It wins every single comparative test, with a minimum margin of 7.1% and a maximum of 7.4%. This is not a marginal victory; it is a consistent and repeatable advantage across all Cinebench workloads. For users running CPU-intensive tasks that rely on multi-threading, such as video encoding or 3D rendering, the Celeron N5100 delivers more work per unit of time. The i5-2400S, despite its higher TDP and older desktop pedigree, simply cannot match the Celeron’s execution efficiency.

However, the i5-2400S is not without its own merits, though they are not reflected in the benchmark scores. The i5-2400S supports DDR3 memory and has a PCIe Gen 3 configuration with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the Celeron N5100 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory and has only 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. For a desktop system with multiple expansion cards, the i5’s greater PCIe lane count is a tangible advantage. Yet, if the sole criterion is computational speed as measured by Cinebench, the Celeron N5100 is the clear winner. The i5-2400S’s higher power draw of 65W does not translate into higher performance. The verdict is straightforward: the Celeron N5100 wins on every measured benchmark, and the i5-2400S only offers advantages in platform-level features like memory type and PCIe lane availability.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The Intel Core i5-2400S has a TDP of 65W, while the Intel Celeron N5100 has a TDP of 6W. This indicates a substantial difference in power consumption and thermal output.

Q: How much faster is the Celeron N5100 in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Celeron N5100 scores 2809, while the i5-2400S scores 2601. This represents a 7.4% advantage for the Celeron N5100.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-2400S has an average benchmark score of 968, and the Intel Celeron N5100 has an average benchmark score of 966. The difference is 0.2%.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-2400S and the Intel Celeron N5100 have 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-2400S has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Celeron N5100 has 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: In which test does the i5-2400S win?

A: Based on the head-to-head benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-2400S does not win any of the five recorded tests. The Intel Celeron N5100 wins all five.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in their fundamental specifications. The Intel Core i5-2400S is a desktop processor with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz, while the Intel Celeron N5100 is a mobile processor with a base clock of 1100.00 MHz and a boost clock of 2.80 GHz. The i5-2400S has a TDP of 65W, whereas the Celeron N5100 has a TDP of just 6W. The i5-2400S uses an Intel Socket 1155, while the Celeron N5100 uses an Intel BGA 1338.

Memory support also differs: the i5-2400S supports DDR3 memory, while the Celeron N5100 supports DDR4 and LPDDR4 memory. The Celeron N5100 also has a specified memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, a figure not provided for the i5-2400S. PCIe connectivity is another point of divergence, with the i5-2400S offering 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) and the Celeron N5100 offering 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The integrated graphics are also different: the i5-2400S features Intel HD 2000, while the Celeron N5100 features UHD Graphics 24EU. The i5-2400S has a part number of SR00S, and the Celeron N5100 has a part number of SRKGZ. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are end-of-life products.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is substantial. The Intel Core i5-2400S is built on the Sandy Bridge architecture, codenamed Sandy Bridge, using a 32 nm process node from Intel. It contains 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. In contrast, the Intel Celeron N5100 is based on the Tremont architecture, codenamed Jasper Lake, and is manufactured on a 10 nm process node. Its die size is 63.8 mm², and it has a different cache layout: 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.5 MB of shared L2 cache, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache.

The Celeron N5100’s smaller die size and newer process node suggest a more modern and power-efficient design. The i5-2400S’s larger L3 cache (6 MB vs. 4 MB) does not translate into a performance advantage in the benchmark data. The i5-2400S is from the Core i5 (Sandy Bridge) generation, while the Celeron N5100 is from the Celeron (Tremont) generation. The Celeron N5100’s memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s is a defined specification, while the i5-2400S has no such figure listed. The foundry for both is Intel, but the process nodes are generations apart. These architectural differences explain the performance results: the Celeron’s newer design delivers superior instruction throughput per clock, despite having a lower boost clock and a smaller L3 cache.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data is the primary guide for use-case selection, and it points decisively to the Intel Celeron N5100 for any task that is measured by Cinebench. The Celeron N5100 wins all five multi-core and single-core tests, making it the better choice for CPU-bound workloads like rendering, encoding, and simulation. Its performance lead of 7.1% to 7.4% is consistent, so users can expect a tangible improvement in these types of applications. The Celeron’s low TDP of 6W also makes it suitable for passively cooled or fanless systems where power consumption is a critical factor.

The Intel Core i5-2400S does not win any of the recorded benchmarks, but its platform features may be preferable in specific scenarios. Its 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only) provide more expansion bandwidth than the Celeron N5100’s 8 lanes, making it a better fit for a desktop system with multiple GPUs or high-speed NVMe drives. The i5-2400S also supports DDR3 memory, which may be a consideration for users with existing DDR3 modules, whereas the Celeron N5100 requires DDR4 or LPDDR4. The i5-2400S’s larger 6 MB L3 cache could theoretically benefit workloads with high cache locality, but the benchmark data does not support this, as the Celeron wins all Cinebench tests. Ultimately, the Celeron N5100 is the winner for raw compute performance, while the i5-2400S retains an edge only in platform-level connectivity and legacy memory support.