Intel Core i5-2400 vs Intel Core i5-3450 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clear overall victory for the Intel Core i5-3450, which wins 6 of the 7 head-to-head benchmark comparisons. The only win for the Intel Core i5-2400 comes in Geekbench multicore, where it scores 2011 against 1985 for the i5-3450, a margin of 1.3%. This is a narrow result, and it stands in contrast to the pattern seen across the Cinebench suite.

In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i5-3450 scores 387 against 329 for the i5-2400, a delta of -15% (the negative sign indicates the i5-2400 is behind). The Cinebench R20 multicore test shows a similar gap: the i5-3450 scores 1613, the i5-2400 scores 1374, a delta of -14.8%. Cinebench R23 multicore follows the same trend, with the i5-3450 at 3842 and the i5-2400 at 3272, again a -14.8% delta.

Single-core performance also favors the i5-3450, though the margins are slightly different. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3450 scores 227 versus 194 for the i5-2400, a delta of -14.5%. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the i5-3450 scores 542 versus 462, a delta of -14.8%. Geekbench single-core shows a much smaller advantage: the i5-3450 scores 681 against 666, a delta of only -2.2%.

The consistency of the Cinebench results is notable. Whether the workload is single-threaded or multi-threaded, the i5-3450 leads by roughly 14.5% to 15% in these tests. The Geekbench multicore result is the outlier, where the i5-2400 edges ahead, but the margin there is just 1.3%, far smaller than the lead the i5-3450 enjoys elsewhere. In terms of average benchmark scores, the i5-2400 sits at 1187, while the i5-3450 sits at 1166, a difference that reflects the mixed results across different test suites.

Both processors occupy the 33rd percentile among all CPUs in the database, indicating they are positioned similarly in the overall performance distribution. The nearest rivals for the i5-2400 include the Intel Core i5-4460T (avg score 1190, -0.2% delta), the AMD Opteron 6234 (avg score 1191, -0.3%), the Intel Core i7-8665UE (avg score 1193, -0.5%), and the Intel Core i3-4170 (avg score 1193, -0.5%). For the i5-3450, the nearest rivals are the AMD Opteron 6220 (avg score 1168, -0.2%), the Intel Core i5-3570S (avg score 1169, -0.2%), the Intel Core i7-2960XM (avg score 1169, -0.2%), and the Intel Core i7-3635QM (avg score 1170, -0.3%). These rival deltas show that both chips sit within a tight cluster of comparable processors, with less than 1% separating them from their closest competitors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i5-3450 wins 6 out of 7 comparisons. The Intel Core i5-2400 wins only 1.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two in any single test?

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 multicore, where the i5-3450 leads by 15%. The i5-2400 scores 329, while the i5-3450 scores 387.

Q: Is there any test where the Intel Core i5-2400 comes out ahead?

A: Yes, in Geekbench multicore, the i5-2400 scores 2011 against 1985 for the i5-3450, a lead of 1.3%.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core performance?

A: The i5-3450 leads in every single-core test recorded. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 681 versus 666, a 2.2% advantage. In Cinebench R20 and R23 single-core, it leads by 14.5% and 14.8%, respectively.

Q: Do the two processors share the same percentile ranking?

A: Yes, both are in the 33rd percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The i5-2400 has an average benchmark score of 1187, while the i5-3450 has an average of 1166.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-3450 is the stronger choice for most compute-heavy tasks, based on the recorded data. Its wins in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests indicate an advantage in rendering and multi-threaded workloads. The margins are substantial, ranging from 14.8% to 15% in these tests. For users running applications that rely on Cinebench-style multi-core performance, the i5-3450 is clearly ahead. Single-core performance also favors the i5-3450, with leads of 14.5% in Cinebench R20, 14.8% in Cinebench R23, and 2.2% in Geekbench single-core. This makes it the better option for lightly threaded applications that depend on a single core's speed.

The Intel Core i5-2400 has a single, narrow win in Geekbench multicore, where it scores 1.3% higher than the i5-3450. This suggests that in certain synthetic multi-threaded workloads, the older chip can hold its own, but the margin is small and does not carry over to the Cinebench suite. For users whose primary benchmark is Geekbench multicore, the i5-2400 might be marginally preferable, but the overall data points to the i5-3450 as the more capable processor across a broader range of tests.

The difference in average benchmark scores is modest, with the i5-2400 at 1187 and the i5-3450 at 1166. This narrow gap reflects the fact that the i5-2400's Geekbench multicore win partially offsets its losses in the Cinebench tests. However, the consistency of the i5-3450's leads in six out of seven comparisons makes it the more reliable performer for general-purpose computing.

Specification Differences

Both processors share the same socket, Intel Socket 1155, and both have 4 cores and 4 threads. The base clock is identical at 3.10 GHz for both. The cache configuration is also the same: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 6 MB shared L3.

The first difference appears in the boost clock. The i5-2400 boosts to 3.40 GHz, while the i5-3450 boosts to 3.50 GHz. This higher boost clock likely contributes to the i5-3450's single-core advantages. The thermal design power (TDP) also differs: the i5-2400 has a TDP of 95, while the i5-3450 has a lower TDP of 77, indicating better power efficiency for the newer part.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The i5-2400 includes Intel HD 2000, while the i5-3450 includes Intel HD 2500. Memory support is DDR3 for both, with a dual-channel memory bus. The i5-3450 lists a memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, while the i5-2400 does not have a recorded bandwidth figure in the database.

The release dates are different: the i5-2400 was released on 2011-01-08, while the i5-3450 came later on 2012-04-28. The i5-3450 has a launch MSRP of $174, while the i5-2400 has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier, and both are marked as end-of-life production status. The part numbers are SR00Q for the i5-2400 and SR0PF for the i5-3450.

Architecture Differences

The two processors belong to different microarchitectures. The i5-2400 is based on Sandy Bridge, while the i5-3450 is based on Ivy Bridge. This architectural change brings a process node shrink: the i5-2400 uses a 32 nm process, while the i5-3450 uses a 22 nm process. The transistor count increases from 1,160 million in the i5-2400 to 1,400 million in the i5-3450. The die size shrinks from 216 mm² in the i5-2400 to 160 mm² in the i5-3450, which is a direct result of the smaller process node.

The integrated graphics also reflect the architectural generation change, with the i5-2400 featuring Intel HD 2000 and the i5-3450 featuring Intel HD 2500. Both processors support PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), and neither supports ECC memory. The memory support is identical in type (DDR3) and channel configuration (dual-channel), though the i5-3450 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s, which is not listed for the i5-2400.

The generational labels in the database are "Core i5 (Sandy Bridge)" for the i5-2400 and "Core i5 (Ivy Bridge)" for the i5-3450. The codenames match these labels. The foundry is Intel for both. The architectural improvements from Sandy Bridge to Ivy Bridge, including the smaller process node and higher transistor density, align with the performance gains observed in the benchmark data.

The Verdict

The data points clearly to the Intel Core i5-3450 as the superior processor in most scenarios. It wins 6 of 7 head-to-head comparisons, with leads of approximately 15% in Cinebench multicore tests and 14.5% to 14.8% in Cinebench single-core tests. Its higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz versus 3.40 GHz, combined with the architectural improvements of Ivy Bridge, explains these consistent advantages. The lower TDP of 77 versus 95 also makes it the more efficient choice.

The Intel Core i5-2400 retains a single point of superiority in Geekbench multicore, where it leads by 1.3%. This is a narrow margin and does not compensate for the larger deficits in the Cinebench suite. For users whose workloads are dominated by Geekbench multicore performance, the i5-2400 might be marginally acceptable, but the overall benchmark profile favors the i5-3450.

For anyone choosing between these two, the i5-3450 is the better pick for rendering, multi-threaded applications, and single-threaded responsiveness. The i5-2400 is only preferable in the specific case of Geekbench multicore, and even there the advantage is minimal. The i5-3450's launch MSRP of $174 provides a reference point, but the performance data alone justifies its selection. Both processors sit at the 33rd percentile, but the i5-3450 does so with stronger head-to-head results and a more efficient design.