Intel Core i3-4130T vs Intel Core i5-2400S Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear split decision. The Intel Core i5-2400S wins five of the seven recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i3-4130T wins the two Geekbench tests. For users prioritizing multi-threaded rendering workloads, the Core i5-2400S is the stronger choice, leading by roughly 6% across all Cinebench tests. For single-threaded Geekbench performance, the Core i3-4130T is decisively ahead, with a 52.3% advantage in that specific test.

The i5-2400S holds a narrow but consistent edge in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both in multi-core and single-core runs. The largest Cinebench margin is 6.5% in R15 multi-core and R20 single-core. The i3-4130T counters with a 4.6% win in Geekbench multi-core and a massive 52.3% win in Geekbench single-core. The average benchmark score for the i3-4130T is 984, slightly above the i5-2400S score of 968. Both processors sit near the 26th and 27th percentiles of all CPUs in the database.

The i5-2400S is the better choice for users running Cinebench-style workloads, particularly rendering tasks that scale with physical cores. The i3-4130T is the better choice for users running Geekbench-style workloads, especially single-threaded applications where its architecture appears to provide a substantial advantage. The i5-2400S also carries the benefit of four physical cores compared to the i3-4130T's two, which likely explains its Cinebench dominance despite the i3's newer architecture.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-4130T has an average benchmark score of 984, while the Intel Core i5-2400S has an average benchmark score of 968. The i3-4130T also sits at the 27th percentile of all CPUs, one point higher than the i5-2400S at the 26th percentile.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap between the two processors?

A: The gap depends on the benchmark. In Geekbench single-core, the i3-4130T scores 903 versus 593 for the i5-2400S, a 52.3% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-2400S actually leads with 367 versus 344, a 6.3% advantage. The results vary significantly by test suite.

Q: Which processor is more efficient in terms of power draw?

A: The i3-4130T has a thermal design power of 35 watts, while the i5-2400S has a thermal design power of 65 watts. The i3-4130T draws substantially less power, which may be relevant for compact or thermally constrained systems.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR3 memory and use a dual-channel memory bus. Neither supports ECC memory. Both also feature PCIe Gen 3 connectivity, though the i5-2400S specifies 16 lanes CPU only.

Q: What are the integrated graphics solutions on each processor?

A: The i3-4130T includes Intel HD 4400 graphics, while the i5-2400S includes Intel HD 2000 graphics. The i3-4130T's newer Haswell architecture provides a more modern integrated graphics solution.

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The i5-2400S has four physical cores and four threads. The i3-4130T has two physical cores and four threads, using Hyper-Threading to reach the same thread count.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturing processes. The i3-4130T uses the Haswell architecture built on a 22 nm process node, while the i5-2400S uses the Sandy Bridge architecture built on a 32 nm process node. This represents a significant generational leap in manufacturing technology, with Haswell's smaller process allowing for improved transistor density.

The transistor counts reflect this difference. The i3-4130T contains 1,400 million transistors on a die size of 177 mm². The i5-2400S contains 1,160 million transistors on a larger die size of 216 mm². The Haswell chip achieves a higher transistor count in a smaller physical area, illustrating the density improvements of the 22 nm process.

Cache configurations differ notably between the two. The i3-4130T offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 3 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-2400S also offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, but doubles the shared L3 cache to 6 MB. The larger L3 cache on the i5-2400S likely contributes to its performance in multi-threaded workloads.

The i3-4130T includes Intel HD 4400 integrated graphics, while the i5-2400S includes Intel HD 2000. The HD 4400 represents a newer generation of Intel graphics architecture, which may provide better display and media capabilities.

The i5-2400S has a production status of end-of-life, while the i3-4130T's production status is not recorded in the database. The release dates differ by over two years, with the i5-2400S releasing in January 2011 and the i3-4130T releasing in August 2013.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ. The i3-4130T has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the i5-2400S has 4 cores and 4 threads. The i5-2400S uses native quad-core design without Hyper-Threading, while the i3-4130T relies on Hyper-Threading to reach four threads from two physical cores.

Base clock speeds differ. The i3-4130T runs at 2.90 GHz with no boost clock listed. The i5-2400S runs at 2.50 GHz base clock but includes a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The i5-2400S has the advantage of dynamic clock scaling, allowing it to reach higher frequencies under load.

Thermal design power differs significantly. The i3-4130T is rated at 35 watts, while the i5-2400S is rated at 65 watts. This makes the i3-4130T substantially more power-efficient on paper.

Socket compatibility differs. The i3-4130T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the i5-2400S uses Intel Socket 1155. These sockets are not interchangeable, meaning the two processors require different motherboards.

The process nodes differ as noted: 22 nm for the i3-4130T versus 32 nm for the i5-2400S. The i3-4130T also uses a newer architecture generation, Haswell, compared to Sandy Bridge on the i5-2400S.

Both processors are locked, with no unlocked multiplier. Both are desktop market segment parts from Intel. Both support DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration. Both support PCIe Gen 3, though the i5-2400S specifies 16 lanes CPU only.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results consistently favor the i5-2400S. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-2400S scores 262 against 245 for the i3-4130T, a margin of 6.5%. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i5-2400S scores 1092 against 1024, a 6.2% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i5-2400S scores 2601 against 2440, again a 6.2% margin.

Single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-2400S scores 154 versus 144, a 6.5% advantage. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-2400S scores 367 versus 344, a 6.3% advantage. The consistency of these margins across multiple Cinebench versions suggests a stable performance differential in this workload family.

The Geekbench results tell a different story. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3-4130T scores 1787 versus 1709 for the i5-2400S, a 4.6% advantage. In Geekbench single-core, the i3-4130T scores 903 versus 593, a commanding 52.3% advantage. This single-core Geekbench result is the largest performance gap recorded between the two processors in any test.

The wins are split 5 for the i5-2400S and 2 for the i3-4130T. However, the magnitude of the i3-4130T's Geekbench single-core win far exceeds any individual Cinebench margin. The i3-4130T's Geekbench single-core score of 903 is over 52% higher than the i5-2400S's 593, while the largest Cinebench margin for the i5-2400S is only 6.5%.

The average benchmark scores reflect a close overall race. The i3-4130T averages 984 across all recorded benchmarks, while the i5-2400S averages 968. The i3-4130T's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-875K at an identical average score of 984, the Intel Xeon X3470 at 983 with a 0.1% difference, and the Intel Core i3-4370T also at 983 with a 0.1% difference. The i5-2400S's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U at 968 with a 0.1% difference, the Intel Xeon X5570 at 967 with a 0.1% difference, and the Intel Celeron N5100 at 966 with a 0.2% difference.

Where Each One Wins

The i5-2400S wins in all Cinebench tests, both multi-core and single-core. This includes Cinebench R15 multi-core, R20 multi-core, R20 single-core, R23 multi-core, and R23 single-core. The margins are consistent, ranging from 6.2% to 6.5% across all five tests. Users running Cinebench-based rendering workloads should expect the i5-2400S to deliver a modest but reliable performance advantage.

The i3-4130T wins in both Geekbench tests. The multi-core win is 4.6%, but the single-core win is a dominant 52.3%. This makes the i3-4130T the clear choice for users running Geekbench-style workloads, particularly those that emphasize single-threaded performance. The sheer size of this margin suggests the i3-4130T's Haswell architecture handles this specific benchmark much more efficiently than the older Sandy Bridge design.

The i3-4130T also wins on power efficiency. With a 35 watt thermal design power against the i5-2400S's 65 watts, the i3-4130T consumes less power while delivering competitive average benchmark scores. For users building low-power or compact systems, this efficiency advantage may outweigh the Cinebench performance deficit.

The i5-2400S wins on multi-core rendering consistency. Its four physical cores provide a solid foundation for threaded workloads, and the 6 MB of shared L3 cache doubles the i3-4130T's 3 MB allocation. The i5-2400S also benefits from a boost clock reaching 3.30 GHz, while the i3-4130T has no boost clock listed.

The i3-4130T wins on architectural modernity. Its 22 nm Haswell design with 1,400 million transistors in a 177 mm² die demonstrates a more advanced manufacturing process. The i5-2400S uses a 32 nm process with 1,160 million transistors in a larger 216 mm² die.

For users prioritizing Geekbench single-core performance, the i3-4130T is the obvious choice. The 52.3% advantage is substantial and not offset by any other metric in the database. For users prioritizing Cinebench rendering performance, the i5-2400S provides consistent, if modest, wins across all versions of that benchmark. The choice ultimately depends on which benchmark family better represents the user's actual workload.