Intel Core i3-4360T vs Intel Core i5-2400S Comparison

The Intel Core i5-2400S and Intel Core i3-4360T represent two distinct approaches to mainstream desktop computing separated by three process generations. The data shows a decisive overall victory for the newer i3-4360T, which wins all five head-to-head benchmark comparisons despite having half the physical cores of its rival. However, the margin of victory is consistently narrow, and the architectural trade-offs between the two parts reveal a more nuanced picture than the raw win count suggests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the Intel Core i3-4360T outperforms the Intel Core i5-2400S in every single test recorded. The largest relative gap appears in single-threaded workloads, where the i3-4360T scores 165 points in Cinebench R20 single-core against the i5-2400S's 154 points, a 6.7% advantage. This pattern repeats across both Cinebench R23 single-core (395 vs 367, a 7.1% delta) and the older Cinebench R15 multi-core test (282 vs 262, also 7.1%).

The multi-core results tell a similar story with the same 7.1% delta consistently applied. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the i3-4360T posts 1175 points versus the i5-2400S's 1092. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows 2799 against 2601. Even in the single-core Cinebench R20 test, the margin shrinks slightly to 6.7%, but the winner remains unchanged. The i3-4360T claims all five head-to-head victories, leaving the i5-2400S with zero wins in this comparison set.

What makes these results particularly interesting is the context of the i5-2400S's hardware advantage. The older chip has four physical cores, while the i3-4360T has only two. Yet the newer architecture and higher base clock of the i3-4360T — 3.20 GHz versus 2.50 GHz — more than compensate for the core deficit. The i3-4360T also lacks a boost clock entirely, running at a fixed 3.20 GHz, while the i5-2400S can boost up to 3.30 GHz. Despite this, the i3-4360T still manages to stay ahead in every workload.

Both processors sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs tracked in the database, indicating they occupy similar overall performance tiers. Their average benchmark scores are also nearly identical: the i5-2400S averages 968 points, while the i3-4360T averages 963 points. The nearest rivals for each confirm this parity — the i5-2400S sits within 0.3% of the AMD PRO A8-9600 (971 points) and within 0.1% of both the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U and Intel Xeon X5570 (968 and 967 points respectively). The i3-4360T's closest competitor is the Intel Pentium Gold G5500T at 963 points (0% delta), with the AMD A8-9600 just 0.1% behind.

Architecture Differences

The most fundamental architectural distinction is the node and die design. The i5-2400S is built on Intel's 32 nm Sandy Bridge process, packing 1,160 million transistors into a 216 mm² die. The i3-4360T uses the newer 22 nm Haswell process, fitting 1,400 million transistors into a smaller 177 mm² die. This density improvement is a key reason the i3-4360T achieves higher performance while consuming significantly less power — 35 watts TDP versus 65 watts for the i5-2400S.

Core configuration differs substantially. The i5-2400S offers four physical cores with four threads, while the i3-4360T provides two physical cores with four threads through Hyper-Threading. Both have identical L1 and L2 cache layouts (64 KB and 256 KB per core respectively), but the shared L3 cache favors the i5-2400S at 6 MB compared to 4 MB on the i3-4360T. The larger cache partially explains why the four-core chip stays as close as it does in multi-threaded tests despite the architectural generation gap.

Memory support is effectively matched: both use DDR3 with dual-channel memory buses, and neither supports ECC memory. PCIe connectivity shows a subtle difference, with the i5-2400S listed as "Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)" while the i3-4360T simply states "Gen 3" without lane specifics. Integrated graphics also differ, with the i5-2400S featuring Intel HD 2000 and the i3-4360T carrying the more capable Intel HD 4600.

Production status and release timing highlight the generational gap. The i5-2400S launched in January 2011 and is now end-of-life, while the i3-4360T arrived in July 2014 and remains active. Both use different sockets — Intel Socket 1155 for the i5-2400S and Intel Socket 1150 for the i3-4360T — meaning they are not platform-compatible. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and the i5-2400S carries the part number SR00S while the i3-4360T's part number is not listed in the data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i3-4360T wins every single-core test. It scores 165 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 154 for the i5-2400S (a 6.7% delta), and 395 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 367 (a 7.1% delta).

Q: Does the i5-2400S's four physical cores give it an advantage in multi-threaded tasks?

A: No. Despite having double the physical cores, the i5-2400S loses all multi-core tests. The i3-4360T scores 1175 in Cinebench R20 multi-core against 1092, and 2799 in Cinebench R23 multi-core against 2601 — a consistent 7.1% deficit for the i5-2400S.

Q: How do their overall performance scores compare?

A: They are nearly identical. The i5-2400S has an average benchmark score of 968, while the i3-4360T averages 963. Both sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The i3-4360T has a 35-watt TDP, while the i5-2400S has a 65-watt TDP. The i3-4360T achieves higher performance with nearly half the power envelope.

Q: Are these processors interchangeable between systems?

A: No. The i5-2400S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i3-4360T uses Intel Socket 1150. They are physically and electrically incompatible.

Q: Which processor has better integrated graphics?

A: The i3-4360T features Intel HD 4600, while the i5-2400S has Intel HD 2000. The newer Haswell part offers the more capable integrated solution.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2400S | Intel Core i3-4360T |

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

| Cores | 4 | 2 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.30 GHz | None |

| TDP | 65 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Haswell |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

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

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 | Intel HD 4600 |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2011-01-08 | 2014-07-20 |

| Part Number | SR00S | Not listed |

The Verdict

The benchmark data points to a clear choice for most users: the Intel Core i3-4360T is the superior processor. It wins every head-to-head test, delivers this performance at nearly half the power draw (35 watts versus 65 watts), and comes from a newer, more efficient manufacturing process. For anyone building a new system on a modern platform, the i3-4360T's socket 1150 compatibility with active production status makes it the practical option.

The i5-2400S retains some theoretical advantages — notably double the physical cores and a larger 6 MB L3 cache — but these do not translate into benchmark victories. Its average score of 968 is essentially tied with the i3-4360T's 963, and its 26th percentile ranking matches its rival exactly. The older chip's end-of-life status and socket 1155 platform limit its upgrade potential.

That said, the i5-2400S is not without merit for specific scenarios. The four physical cores could be advantageous in workloads that scale poorly with Hyper-Threading, though the data does not show such an advantage in the recorded benchmarks. The larger L3 cache might also benefit certain cache-sensitive applications. However, with zero wins in five comparisons and consistent 7.1% deficits, these theoretical benefits remain unproven in the available data.

For a user choosing between these two parts today, the i3-4360T is the stronger recommendation. It offers better performance in every measured category, superior integrated graphics, lower power consumption, and an active production status. The i5-2400S is best suited to someone already invested in the socket 1155 platform with workloads that specifically favor additional physical cores — a scenario the benchmark results do not support with measurable evidence.