Intel Core i5-2400 vs Intel Core i5-3330 Comparison

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i5-3330 wins every recorded multi-core benchmark. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 3486 against 3272 for the i5-2400, a 6.5% advantage. The gap is similar in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the i5-3330 scores 1464 versus 1374, a 6.6% lead.

Q: Is the single-core performance difference significant?

A: Yes, the i5-3330 is ahead in single-core tests as well. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 492 versus 462, a 6.5% margin. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 206 against 194, a 6.2% advantage for the i5-3330.

Q: How do these two CPUs compare in overall average benchmark score?

A: The i5-3330 has an average benchmark score of 1200, while the i5-2400 sits at 1187. This places the i5-3330 in the 34th percentile of all CPUs, one point ahead of the i5-2400, which sits in the 33rd percentile.

Q: What are the architectural differences between these two processors?

A: The i5-3330 is built on the Ivy Bridge architecture using a 22 nm process, with a die size of 133 mm². The i5-2400 uses the Sandy Bridge architecture on a 32 nm process, with a die size of 216 mm² and 1,160 million transistors. Both have 4 cores, 4 threads, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The i5-2400 has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz, compared to 3.00 GHz for the i5-3330. The boost clock also favors the i5-2400 at 3.40 GHz versus 3.20 GHz for the i5-3330.

Q: What are the TDP and integrated graphics differences?

A: The i5-3330 has a TDP of 77 W and includes Intel HD 2500 graphics. The i5-2400 has a higher TDP of 95 W and includes Intel HD 2000 graphics. Both use the Intel Socket 1155 and support dual-channel DDR3 memory.

Architecture Differences

The i5-3330 and i5-2400 represent two consecutive Intel microarchitectures, and the data shows the newer design holds a consistent edge. The i5-3330 uses the Ivy Bridge architecture, fabricated on a 22 nm process, which is a die shrink from the 32 nm Sandy Bridge process used by the i5-2400. This process change is reflected in the die size: the i5-3330 measures 133 mm², while the i5-2400 is substantially larger at 216 mm², with the older chip containing 1,160 million transistors.

Both processors share the same core and thread configuration: 4 cores and 4 threads. They also have identical cache hierarchies, with 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory support is the same, with dual-channel DDR3, and both use the Intel Socket 1155 with PCIe Gen 3 and 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics differ between the two. The i5-3330 includes Intel HD 2500, while the i5-2400 ships with Intel HD 2000. The TDP also diverges significantly: the i5-3330 draws 77 W, which is notably lower than the 95 W of the i5-2400, likely a result of the newer 22 nm manufacturing process. The i5-2400 is marked as end-of-life in the database, while the i5-3330 does not carry that status. The release dates also differ, with the i5-2400 launching in January 2011 and the i5-3330 following in September 2012.

Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not a distinguishing factor. Both part numbers are recorded: SR0RQ for the i5-3330 and SR00Q for the i5-2400.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a clean sweep for the i5-3330 across all five head-to-head comparisons. The largest relative win comes in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the i5-3330 scores 351 against 329 for the i5-2400, a delta of 6.7%. This is the single biggest margin in the dataset.

Cinebench R20 multicore follows closely, with the i5-3330 scoring 1464 versus 1374, a 6.6% advantage. The single-core results are nearly as decisive. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3330 scores 206, while the i5-2400 manages 194, a 6.2% lead. Cinebench R23 single-core shows a similar pattern: 492 for the i5-3330 and 462 for the i5-2400, a 6.5% gap.

The Cinebench R23 multicore result rounds out the set, with the i5-3330 scoring 3486 and the i5-2400 scoring 3272, a 6.5% difference. Across all five tests, the i5-3330 wins every round, and the margins are remarkably consistent, ranging from 6.2% to 6.7%. This consistency suggests the architectural advantage of Ivy Bridge translates uniformly across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads.

The i5-2400 does hold an edge in raw clock speeds, with a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, compared to 3.00 GHz and 3.20 GHz for the i5-3330. Despite this clock deficit, the i5-3330 still outperforms in every benchmark, indicating that the architectural improvements of the 22 nm Ivy Bridge design more than compensate for the lower frequencies.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The base clock is 3.00 GHz for the i5-3330 and 3.10 GHz for the i5-2400. The boost clock is 3.20 GHz for the i5-3330 and 3.40 GHz for the i5-2400. The TDP is 77 W for the i5-3330 and 95 W for the i5-2400.

The architecture and process node are distinct: Ivy Bridge on 22 nm for the i5-3330, Sandy Bridge on 32 nm for the i5-2400. The die size is 133 mm² for the i5-3330 and 216 mm² for the i5-2400. The i5-2400 has a recorded transistor count of 1,160 million, while the i5-3330 does not have a listed transistor count in the database.

The integrated graphics differ, with the i5-3330 featuring Intel HD 2500 and the i5-2400 featuring Intel HD 2000. The production status also differs: the i5-2400 is marked as end-of-life, while the i5-3330 has no production status listed. The release dates are different as well, with the i5-2400 released in January 2011 and the i5-3330 in September 2012. The part numbers are SR0RQ for the i5-3330 and SR00Q for the i5-2400.

The specifications that are identical include the socket (Intel Socket 1155), core count (4), thread count (4), cache sizes (64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, 6 MB shared L3), memory support (DDR3), memory bus (dual-channel), ECC support (false for both), PCIe configuration (Gen 3, 16 lanes CPU only), market segment (Desktop), and multiplier unlock status (false for both).

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i5-3330 is the superior processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all five head-to-head comparisons, with margins ranging from 6.2% to 6.7%. The average benchmark score confirms this, with the i5-3330 at 1200 and the i5-2400 at 1187.

The i5-2400 does have higher clock speeds, both base and boost, and it was released earlier. However, these advantages do not translate into performance wins. The i5-3330 achieves better results despite the clock deficit, which points to the efficiency of the newer Ivy Bridge architecture on the 22 nm process.

For users deciding between these two chips, the i5-3330 is the clear choice based on performance. It delivers faster results in both single-core and multi-core workloads, and it does so with a lower TDP of 77 W compared to 95 W for the i5-2400. The i5-2400's only remaining advantage is its earlier release date and the fact that it is a known quantity as an end-of-life product, but the benchmark data offers no performance reason to select it.

The percentile rankings reinforce this conclusion. The i5-3330 sits in the 34th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-2400 sits in the 33rd. This is a narrow gap in the broader context, but within this direct comparison, the i5-3330 consistently comes out ahead.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3330 wins in all measured performance categories. In multi-core workloads, it leads by 6.7% in Cinebench R15, 6.6% in Cinebench R20, and 6.5% in Cinebench R23. In single-core workloads, it leads by 6.2% in Cinebench R20 and 6.5% in Cinebench R23. The i5-3330 is also more power-efficient, with a TDP of 77 W versus 95 W for the i5-2400.

The Intel Core i5-2400 has no benchmark wins in the recorded data. Its advantages are limited to specification fields: a higher base clock of 3.10 GHz, a higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz, and an earlier release date. It also has a recorded transistor count of 1,160 million, which is not listed for the i5-3330. The i5-2400 includes Intel HD 2000 graphics, while the i5-3330 has the slightly more capable Intel HD 2500, though no graphics benchmarks are recorded in the database.

For use cases, the i5-3330 is the better pick for any workload where the recorded benchmarks apply. This includes Cinebench-based rendering and general single-threaded performance. The i5-2400 could be considered in scenarios where the higher clock speeds matter in theory, but the actual benchmark data shows no such advantage materializing. The i5-2400's end-of-life status may also factor into availability considerations, but from a pure performance standpoint, the i5-3330 wins every recorded test.