Intel Core i3-4150T vs Intel Core i5-2400S Comparison

The Intel Core i3-4150T and the Intel Core i5-2400S represent two distinct approaches to the same problem: delivering a capable desktop processor on a constrained platform. The i3-4150T is a modern, ultra-low-power Haswell part with a 35W TDP, while the i5-2400S is an older Sandy Bridge design with a higher 65W TDP but more physical cores. Benchmark results show a clear split, with the i5-2400S dominating multi-threaded Cinebench tests, while the i3-4150T counters with a decisive victory in single-threaded Geekbench performance. The data reveals a tradeoff between raw core count and architectural efficiency.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite consistently favors the Intel Core i5-2400S. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-2400S scores 262 against the i3-4150T’s 244, a delta of -6.9% for the i3. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-2400S posts 1092 versus 1018 (a -6.8% delta), and in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it wins 2601 to 2425 (also -6.8%). Even in single-core Cinebench tests, the older i5-2400S edges ahead: 154 vs 143 in R20 single-core (-7.1%) and 367 vs 342 in R23 single-core (-6.8%). For applications that rely on sustained multi-core rendering, the i5-2400S is the clear leader, holding a roughly 7% advantage across every Cinebench iteration.

The Geekbench results flip the script dramatically. The i3-4150T wins Geekbench multi-core with 1762 against the i5-2400S’s 1709, a 3.1% margin. The single-core Geekbench test is where the generational gap becomes stark: the i3-4150T scores 892, while the i5-2400S trails at 593. That is a 50.4% advantage for the i3-4150T, a massive gap that highlights how much architectural progress occurred between Sandy Bridge and Haswell. The i5-2400S does win 5 of the 7 head-to-head benchmarks, but the single-core Geekbench result is so lopsided that it fundamentally changes the assessment of these two chips.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and different design philosophies. The Intel Core i3-4150T is built on the 22nm Haswell architecture with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. It features 2 physical cores and 4 threads via Hyper-Threading. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-2400S uses the older 32nm Sandy Bridge process, packing 1,160 million transistors on a larger 216 mm² die, and it has 4 physical cores with no Hyper-Threading, giving it 4 threads total.

Cache allocation also differs. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the L3 cache is a significant differentiator: the i3-4150T has 3 MB shared, while the i5-2400S doubles that to 6 MB shared. This larger cache pool on the i5-2400S likely contributes to its consistent Cinebench wins, since those workloads benefit from having more data resident on-die.

Clock speeds tell a nuanced story. The i3-4150T has a fixed base clock of 2.90 GHz with no boost capability, making it a locked, predictable part. The i5-2400S has a lower base clock of 2.50 GHz but can boost up to 3.30 GHz under load. Despite the lower base, the boost clock helps the i5-2400S maintain competitive single-threaded Cinebench scores, though it cannot overcome the i3-4150T’s superior IPC in Geekbench.

The TDP difference is stark: 35W for the i3-4150T versus 65W for the i5-2400S. The socket also differs, with the i3-4150T using Intel Socket 1150 and the i5-2400S using Intel Socket 1155, meaning they are not drop-in compatible. Integrated graphics differ as well: the i3-4150T comes with Intel HD 4400, while the i5-2400S has the older Intel HD 2000. The i3-4150T also has a newer release date, launching on 2014-04-30, compared to the i5-2400S’s 2011-01-08 launch.

Where Each One Wins

The data points to a clear use-case split. The Intel Core i5-2400S wins in all four Cinebench multi-core tests and both single-core Cinebench tests. If your workload is dominated by rendering, video encoding, or any multi-threaded productivity that scales with physical cores, the i5-2400S is the better choice. Its 4 physical cores and 6 MB of L3 cache give it a consistent edge in the 7% range across all Cinebench scenarios. The fact that it wins even single-core Cinebench, despite the i3-4150T’s newer architecture, suggests that the full 3.30 GHz boost clock is doing substantial work.

The Intel Core i3-4150T, however, owns the Geekbench arena. Its 50.4% lead in Geekbench single-core is enormous, and even in Geekbench multi-core it manages a 3.1% win despite having half the physical cores. This strongly indicates that for everyday desktop tasks, web browsing, office applications, and any software that relies on single-threaded responsiveness, the i3-4150T will feel snappier. The 35W TDP also makes it far more suitable for low-power builds, small form factor systems, or environments where heat and energy consumption are primary concerns. The i3-4150T also ships with the more capable Intel HD 4400 graphics, which is a meaningful advantage for basic media playback or light gaming without a discrete GPU.

The Verdict

Strictly from the benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-2400S is the stronger performer for multi-threaded workloads, winning 5 out of 7 tests including every Cinebench variant. Its 4 physical cores and larger 6 MB L3 cache provide a reliable, if modest, 7% performance edge in rendering tasks. The i5-2400S is also the only one of the two with a boost clock, reaching 3.30 GHz, which helps it stay competitive even in single-threaded Cinebench tests. For a builder prioritizing maximum compute throughput on a legacy platform, the i5-2400S is the data-backed choice.

However, the Intel Core i3-4150T is not a loser—it is a specialist. Its 50.4% single-core Geekbench victory is the single largest performance delta in this entire comparison. For users who care about responsive everyday computing, the i3-4150T’s Haswell architecture delivers a dramatically better single-threaded experience. Combined with a 35W TDP that is nearly half of the i5-2400S’s 65W, the i3-4150T is the better candidate for quiet, cool, and energy-efficient systems. It also has the more modern Intel HD 4400 integrated graphics. The choice comes down to workload: pick the i5-2400S for multi-threaded rendering and productivity, pick the i3-4150T for low-power builds and single-threaded responsiveness.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-2400S wins with a score of 2601, compared to the Intel Core i3-4150T’s 2425, a 6.8% advantage.

Q: How big is the single-core performance gap in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Core i3-4150T scores 892, while the Intel Core i5-2400S scores 593. That is a 50.4% lead for the i3-4150T.

Q: Do both CPUs have the same number of physical cores?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-2400S has 4 physical cores, while the Intel Core i3-4150T has 2 physical cores with 4 threads via Hyper-Threading.

Q: What is the TDP difference between these two processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-4150T has a TDP of 35W, while the Intel Core i5-2400S has a TDP of 65W.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-2400S has 6 MB of shared L3 cache, twice the 3 MB found on the Intel Core i3-4150T.

Q: Are these CPUs socket compatible with each other?

A: No. The Intel Core i3-4150T uses Intel Socket 1150, while the Intel Core i5-2400S uses Intel Socket 1155.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-4150T | Intel Core i5-2400S |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 65W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1150 | Intel Socket 1155 |

| Architecture | Haswell | Sandy Bridge |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 32 nm |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 1,160 million |

| Die Size | 177 mm² | 216 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 3 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4400 | Intel HD 2000 |

| Release Date | 2014-04-30 | 2011-01-08 |

| Production Status | Not specified | End-of-life |

| Part Number | Not specified | SR00S |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 975 | 968 |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 26 | 26 |