Intel Core i5-2400 vs Intel Core i5-3570S Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark split between the Intel Core i5-2400 and the Intel Core i5-3570S is not a clean sweep; it is a tale of two different testing methodologies. The data shows a clear division: the i5-3570S dominates the Cinebench suite across all versions and workload types, while the i5-2400 claims victory in both Geekbench tests. Out of seven head-to-head comparisons, the i5-3570S wins five, while the i5-2400 takes two.

The most striking pattern is that the i5-3570S wins every Cinebench test, whether single-core or multi-core. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 402 against 329 for the i5-2400, a delta of 18.2 percent in favor of the newer part. The same story repeats in R20 multi-core (1676 vs 1374, an 18 percent gap) and R23 multi-core (3991 vs 3272, also an 18 percent gap). Single-core Cinebench results follow suit: R20 single-core shows 236 vs 194 (17.8 percent), and R23 single-core shows 563 vs 462 (17.9 percent).

Conversely, the i5-2400 wins decisively in Geekbench. In Geekbench multi-core, it scores 2011 against 1793 for the i5-3570S, a 12.2 percent advantage. In Geekbench single-core, it leads 666 to 632, a 5.4 percent margin. This divergence suggests that the two processors respond differently to the distinct workload characteristics of Cinebench versus Geekbench, with the i5-3570S favoring the rendering-oriented Cinebench tests and the i5-2400 excelling in the more general-purpose Geekbench scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is a generation apart, and the data reflects that. The i5-2400 is built on Sandy Bridge, using a 32 nm process node, with a die size of 216 mm² and 1,160 million transistors. The i5-3570S is an Ivy Bridge part, fabricated on a 22 nm node, and has a considerably smaller die at 133 mm². The transistor count for the i5-3570S is not recorded in the database, but the die shrink from 216 mm² to 133 mm² is substantial.

Both processors share the same core and thread configuration: 4 cores and 4 threads. Cache hierarchies are also identical in structure: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3. Memory support is DDR3 with a dual-channel bus for both, and neither supports ECC. PCIe connectivity is the same: Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Both are locked multipliers, meaning no overclocking via multiplier adjustment.

The key differences lie in clock speeds and integrated graphics. The i5-2400 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The i5-3570S also has a base clock of 3.10 GHz but boosts higher to 3.80 GHz, a 0.40 GHz advantage that likely contributes to its Cinebench wins. The i5-2400 packs Intel HD 2000 graphics, while the i5-3570S upgrades to Intel HD 2500. Thermal design power differs significantly: the i5-2400 is rated at 95 watts, whereas the i5-3570S draws only 65 watts, a 30-watt reduction despite the higher boost clock. The i5-3570S also launched later, with a release date of 2012-05-31 versus 2011-01-08 for the i5-2400.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single win for the i5-3570S comes in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it scores 402 against 329. The delta of 18.2 percent is the biggest margin in the entire comparison. This is closely followed by Cinebench R20 multi-core (1676 vs 1374, 18 percent) and Cinebench R23 multi-core (3991 vs 3272, 18 percent). The consistency of this 18 percent gap across all three multi-core Cinebench versions is remarkable. It indicates that the i5-3570S's architectural improvements, particularly the higher boost clock, translate into a stable performance advantage in CPU-intensive rendering tasks.

Single-core Cinebench tests show a similar but slightly smaller advantage. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the i5-3570S leads 236 to 194, a 17.8 percent margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it leads 563 to 462, a 17.9 percent margin. These numbers suggest that even when only one core is active, the Ivy Bridge architecture plus the 3.80 GHz boost clock provides a meaningful edge.

The i5-2400's wins are in Geekbench, and they are substantial. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 2011 is 12.2 percent higher than the i5-3570S's 1793. In Geekbench single-core, the i5-2400 leads 666 to 632, a 5.4 percent margin. The multi-core Geekbench result is particularly interesting because it runs opposite to the Cinebench multi-core results. The i5-2400 has a lower boost clock and higher TDP, yet it outperforms the i5-3570S by over 12 percent in this test. The data does not explain why, but it clearly shows that Geekbench's workload favors the older Sandy Bridge design.

The Verdict

Looking strictly at the recorded data, the Intel Core i5-3570S is the stronger performer in the majority of benchmarks. It wins five out of seven head-to-head tests, and its victories are consistent across all Cinebench versions, both single-core and multi-core. The margins are uniform, hovering around 18 percent, which points to a systemic advantage rather than a test-specific quirk. The i5-3570S also does this while drawing 30 fewer watts, making it the more efficient choice by a wide margin.

The i5-2400, however, is not without merit. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 2011 is significantly higher than the i5-3570S's 1793, and its Geekbench single-core score of 666 beats 632. For users whose workloads align with Geekbench's testing pattern, the i5-2400 would actually be the better pick. The database also shows that the i5-2400's average benchmark score is 1187, slightly higher than the i5-3570S's 1169, although both sit at the 33rd percentile of all CPUs.

The i5-3570S is the logical choice for rendering or compute-heavy tasks that resemble Cinebench. The i5-2400 is preferable for applications that mimic Geekbench's mixed integer and floating-point operations. Given that the i5-3570S also has a newer architecture, smaller die, higher boost clock, and lower power draw, it is the safer all-around recommendation, but the Geekbench results prevent a complete dismissal of the i5-2400.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-3570S wins with a score of 3991, compared to 3272 for the Intel Core i5-2400, a delta of 18 percent.

Q: Does the i5-2400 win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes, the i5-2400 wins in Geekbench multi-core with a score of 2011 against 1793 for the i5-3570S, and in Geekbench single-core with 666 against 632.

Q: What is the difference in boost clock between the two CPUs?

A: The i5-2400 has a boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the i5-3570S has a boost clock of 3.80 GHz. Both have the same 3.10 GHz base clock.

Q: How do their thermal design power ratings compare?

A: The i5-2400 has a TDP of 95 watts, while the i5-3570S has a TDP of 65 watts, a 30-watt difference in favor of the i5-3570S.

Q: Are the integrated graphics different?

A: Yes, the i5-2400 features Intel HD 2000, while the i5-3570S features Intel HD 2500.

Q: What is the process node for each processor?

A: The i5-2400 is built on a 32 nm node, while the i5-3570S is built on a 22 nm node. The die sizes are 216 mm² and 133 mm², respectively.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-2400 | Intel Core i5-3570S |

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

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 133 mm² |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | Not recorded |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 3.10 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 65 W |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 | Intel HD 2500 |

| Release Date | 2011-01-08 | 2012-05-31 |

| Part Number | SR00Q | SR0T9 |