Intel Core i3-4370T vs Intel Core i5-2400S Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture: the Intel Core i3-4370T wins every recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Core i5-2400S, with a 5-0 sweep. The margins are narrow but uniform, hovering around 9.5% to 9.8% across all five Cinebench runs.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the i3-4370T scores 287 against the i5-2400S’s 262, a 9.5% advantage. The R20 multicore test shows a similar gap: 1199 versus 1092, a 9.8% lead. The R23 multicore run lands at 2856 versus 2601, again 9.8% ahead. Single-core results are equally one-sided. In R20 single-core, the i3-4370T posts 169 versus 154, a 9.7% edge. In R23 single-core, it scores 403 against 367, another 9.8% win.

These deltas are remarkably consistent. The i3-4370T does not just edge out the i5-2400S in one or two workloads; it maintains the same approximate 10% lead across every Cinebench iteration. That consistency suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The average benchmark scores from the database confirm the gap. The i3-4370T carries an average score of 983, while the i5-2400S sits at 968. The i3-4370T’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon X3470 at exactly 983, with a 0% delta, while the i5-2400S is closest to the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U at 968, a 0.1% delta. Both CPUs share the 26th percentile among all processors, meaning neither is a standout in the broader market, but the i3-4370T holds a measurable edge in this direct comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel generations, and that lineage explains the benchmark results. The i3-4370T is a Haswell part, built on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die. The i5-2400S is Sandy Bridge, fabricated on a 32 nm node with 1,160 million transistors and a larger 216 mm² die. The newer manufacturing process gives the i3-4370T a density and efficiency advantage, even though it packs fewer physical cores.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The i3-4370T has 2 cores and 4 threads, leveraging Hyper-Threading to present four logical processors. The i5-2400S has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading support. Despite having half the physical cores, the i3-4370T still wins all multicore tests, which indicates that its per-core performance and thread scheduling more than compensate for the core deficit.

Cache layouts also diverge. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i3-4370T carries 4 MB of shared L3, while the i5-2400S offers 6 MB of shared L3. The i5-2400S has 50% more L3, yet the benchmark results show that extra cache does not overcome the architectural gap.

Clock speeds favor the i3-4370T. Its base clock runs at 3.30 GHz, and it has no boost clock. The i5-2400S has a lower base of 2.50 GHz but can boost up to 3.30 GHz. That means the i3-4370T sustains a higher clock at all times, while the i5-2400S must rely on its turbo to reach the same frequency under load. In practice, the i3-4370T’s consistent 3.30 GHz across all cores likely contributes to its benchmark wins.

Thermal design power is a major split. The i3-4370T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-2400S draws 65 watts. The i3-4370T delivers better performance while using nearly half the power budget, which underscores the efficiency of the newer 22 nm process against the older 32 nm node.

Integrated graphics differ as well. The i3-4370T includes Intel HD 4600, while the i5-2400S uses Intel HD 2000. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, but the graphics unit is a distinguishing feature for systems without a discrete GPU.

Memory support is identical in type and bus: both use DDR3 in dual-channel mode. The i3-4370T lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-2400S does not have a recorded bandwidth figure. PCIe is the same for both: Gen 3, 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC, and neither is unlocked for overclocking.

Where Each One Wins

The i3-4370T is the clear winner for single-threaded and lightly threaded tasks. Its 3.30 GHz base clock, Haswell core design, and 22 nm process give it a edge in everyday responsiveness, older games that rely on one or two cores, and general desktop use. The data shows a 9.7% to 9.8% lead in single-core Cinebench R20 and R23, which is a substantial margin for server-side workloads like web browsing, office productivity, and light coding.

For multi-threaded workloads, the result is counterintuitive. The i5-2400S has four physical cores against the i3-4370T’s two, but it still loses every multi-core test by roughly 9.5% to 9.8%. The i3-4370T’s Hyper-Threading with four threads, combined with its higher sustained clock and newer architecture, outruns the i5-2400S’s four discrete cores. That means for video encoding, rendering, and compilation tasks where thread count matters, the i3-4370T remains the better performer in these measurements.

The i5-2400S’s only recorded advantage is that it has more physical cores (4 versus 2) and more L3 cache (6 MB versus 4 MB). In workloads that do not scale with per-core performance but instead rely on raw core count and cache capacity, the i5-2400S could theoretically hold its own. However, no benchmark in the database shows such a scenario winning for the i5-2400S. All five recorded tests favor the i3-4370T.

Power efficiency is another clear i3-4370T win. At 35 watts versus 65 watts, the i3-4370T uses less than half the power of the i5-2400S while offering higher performance. That makes it a better fit for compact systems, HTPCs, or any build where thermals and electricity draw matter. The i5-2400S, with its 65 watt TDP and 32 nm, is more suited to a system where its four physical cores are needed for legacy software that explicitly requires multiple cores.

In terms of platform, the i3-4370T uses Socket 1150, while the i5-2400S uses Socket 1155. That difference matters for upgrade paths, but the database does not record socket performance or feature details.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in single-core tests?

A: The Intel Core i3-4370T wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 169 versus 154, a 9.7% lead. In R23 single-core, it scores 403 versus 367, a 9.8% lead.

Q: How does the i5-2400S compare in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The i5-2400S loses every multi-core test. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 2601 against the i3-4370T’s 2856, a 9.8% delta. In R15 multi-core, it scores 262 versus 287, a 9.5% delta.

Q: Do the core counts make a difference?

A: The i5-2400S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i3-4370T has 2 cores and 4 threads. Despite having half the physical cores, the i3-4370T still wins every multi-core test, indicating its higher clock and architecture compensate for the core deficit.

Q: What is the power consumption difference?

A: The i3-4370T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the i5-2400S has a TDP of 65 watts. The i3-4370T uses about half the power while delivering higher benchmark scores.

Q: Do they support the same memory?

A: Both support DDR3, and both use dual-channel memory. The i3-4370T lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s. No bandwidth figure is recorded for the i5-2400S.

Q: Which CPU has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The i3-4370T has an average benchmark score of 983, while the i5-2400S has an average of 968. The i3-4370T’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon X3470 at 983, while the i5-2400S’s nearest rival is the AMD Ryzen 7 3700U at 968.

Specification Differences

| Component | Intel Core i3-4370T | Intel Core i5-2400S |

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

| Cores | 2 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.30 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | None | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 65 W |

| 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 | 4 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

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

| Release Date | 2015-03-29 | 2011-01-08 |

| Launch MSRP | $138 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | SR1TB | SR00S |

Both processors share: L1 cache of 64 KB per core, L2 cache of 256 KB per core, DDR3 memory support, dual-channel memory bus, no ECC support, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), desktop market segment, end-of-life production status, and locked multipliers. Both also have the same percentile ranking at 26% among all CPUs.