Intel Core i5-2400 vs Intel Core i7-3635QM Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear split: the Intel Core i7-3635QM dominates in Cinebench workloads, while the Intel Core i5-2400 takes the Geekbench results. With 5 wins for the i7-3635QM and 2 wins for the i5-2400, the overall outcome favors the mobile part in most recorded tests, but the margin of victory in each category tells a nuanced story.

Starting with the Cinebench suite, the i7-3635QM wins every test by a consistent margin of roughly 19%. In cinebench_r15_multicore, the i7-3635QM scores 408 against the i5-2400’s 329, a delta of -19.4% when measured from the i7’s perspective. The pattern repeats in cinebench_r20_multicore (1703 vs 1374, -19.3%), cinebench_r23_multicore (4057 vs 3272, -19.3%), and the single-core variants: cinebench_r20_singlecore shows 240 vs 194 (-19.2%), while cinebench_r23_singlecore records 572 vs 462 (-19.2%). These results indicate that the i7-3635QM delivers a substantial and uniform advantage in Cinebench rendering tasks, likely due to its additional threads and architectural refinements.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative. In geekbench_multicore, the i5-2400 scores 2011 against 1790, a 12.3% lead. The single-core gap is even larger: 666 vs 532, a 25.2% advantage for the i5-2400. This is a significant reversal, suggesting that the i5-2400’s higher base clock and desktop-oriented design translate into stronger performance in Geekbench’s workload profile, which may favor fewer, faster cores over parallel throughput.

When comparing these results to their nearest rivals in the database, both CPUs sit at the 33rd percentile overall, indicating they are mid-pack performers. The i5-2400’s average benchmark score is 1187, with closest rivals including the Intel Core i5-4460T (1190, -0.2%), AMD Opteron 6234 (1191, -0.3%), Intel Core i7-8665UE (1193, -0.5%), and Intel Core i3-4170 (1193, -0.5%). The i7-3635QM averages 1170, with nearest rivals being the Intel Core i7-2960XM (1169, 0.1%), Intel Core i5-3570S (1169, 0.1%), AMD Opteron 6220 (1168, 0.2%), and Intel Core i3-7320 (1173, -0.2%). These deltas are all within 0.5%, meaning both chips perform essentially on par with their immediate peers in the database.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial, spanning process technology, transistor count, die size, and feature sets. The i5-2400 is built on Sandy Bridge architecture using a 32 nm process node, while the i7-3635QM uses Ivy Bridge on a 22 nm node. This process shrink allows the i7-3635QM to pack 1,480 million transistors into a 160 mm² die, compared to the i5-2400’s 1,160 million transistors on a 216 mm² die. The smaller, denser die on the i7-3635QM is a clear sign of newer manufacturing technology.

Both CPUs feature 4 cores and 6 MB of shared L3 cache, with identical L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB per core) configurations. The key architectural divergence lies in threading: the i5-2400 supports 4 threads, while the i7-3635QM supports 8 threads through Hyper-Threading. This doubles the logical core count for the i7-3635QM, which directly explains its Cinebench multicore dominance.

Other differences include the i5-2400’s socket (Intel Socket 1155) versus the i7-3635QM’s BGA 1224, reflecting the desktop versus mobile market segments. The integrated graphics also differ: Intel HD 2000 on the i5-2400 versus Intel HD 4000 on the i7-3635QM, indicating a newer GPU generation for the mobile part. The i5-2400 lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the i7-3635QM has no PCIe data recorded. Memory support is DDR3 for the i5-2400, with no memory type listed for the i7-3635QM, though both use dual-channel memory buses.

The i5-2400 has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and boost clock of 3.40 GHz, while the i7-3635QM starts lower at 2.40 GHz but boosts to the same 3.40 GHz. The i5-2400’s higher base clock likely contributes to its Geekbench single-core advantage, while the i7-3635QM’s lower base clock is offset by its threading capabilities. The i5-2400 carries a TDP of 95 W, while the i7-3635QM is rated at 45 W, reflecting the mobile versus desktop thermal envelope difference.

Where Each One Wins

The data supports a clear use-case split. The i7-3635QM wins in Cinebench workloads, which are heavily threaded rendering tasks. Its 8 threads versus 4 threads provide a decisive edge, as shown by the consistent 19% lead across all five Cinebench tests. This makes it the better choice for multi-threaded productivity applications like video rendering, 3D modeling, and other parallel compute tasks. The i7-3635QM’s 45 W TDP also makes it suitable for laptops where thermal management is a priority, though the database does not quantify power efficiency directly.

The i5-2400 wins in Geekbench, particularly in single-core performance where it leads by 25.2%. Its higher base clock (3.10 GHz vs 2.40 GHz) and desktop-oriented design likely drive this advantage. For workloads that rely on single-thread speed, such as older games, spreadsheet calculations, or lightly threaded applications, the i5-2400 would deliver faster responses. Its Geekbench multicore lead of 12.3% also suggests that even in some parallel tasks, the i5-2400’s clock speed can outweigh the i7-3635QM’s extra threads, depending on the workload’s scaling efficiency.

The desktop versus mobile split is also relevant. The i5-2400 is a desktop processor for Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-3635QM is a mobile chip for BGA 1224. Users building a desktop system would naturally favor the i5-2400, while those needing a laptop CPU would choose the i7-3635QM. The i5-2400’s launch date is January 2011, while the i7-3635QM arrived in August 2012, making the latter a newer design by about a year and a half.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ:

| Field | Intel Core i5-2400 | Intel Core i7-3635QM |

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

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 4 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 45 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | Intel BGA 1224 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge | Ivy Bridge |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 1,160 million | 1,480 million |

| Die Size | 216 mm² | 160 mm² |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | Not listed |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Not listed |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2000 | Intel HD 4000 |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Not listed |

| Release Date | January 2011 | August 2012 |

| Part Number | SR00Q | Not listed |

The L1 cache (64 KB per core), L2 cache (256 KB per core), and L3 cache (6 MB shared) are identical between the two. Both have dual-channel memory buses and do not support ECC memory. Neither has an unlocked multiplier. The i5-2400 has a launch MSRP that is not recorded in the database, and the same applies to the i7-3635QM.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-2400 has 4 threads. This doubles the logical core count for the i7-3635QM.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Core i5-2400 scores 666 in geekbench_singlecore, while the i7-3635QM scores 532. The i5-2400 leads by 25.2% in this test.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM scores 4057, while the Intel Core i5-2400 scores 3272. The i7-3635QM wins by 19.3%.

Q: What are the process nodes for each CPU?

A: The Intel Core i5-2400 uses a 32 nm process node, while the Intel Core i7-3635QM uses a 22 nm node.

Q: Which processor has a lower TDP?

A: The Intel Core i7-3635QM has a TDP of 45 W, while the Intel Core i5-2400 has a TDP of 95 W.

Q: Are both CPUs in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 33rd percentile versus all CPUs in the database, indicating similar overall standing among all recorded processors.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear recommendation based on workload and platform. For multi-threaded rendering and parallel compute tasks, the Intel Core i7-3635QM is the stronger choice. Its 8 threads and consistent 19% lead across all Cinebench tests make it the superior option for video encoding, 3D rendering, and similar workloads. The 45 W TDP also makes it viable for mobile systems where thermal constraints matter.

For single-threaded performance and Geekbench-style workloads, the Intel Core i5-2400 takes the lead. Its 25.2% single-core advantage in Geekbench and 12.3% multicore advantage indicate that its higher base clock (3.10 GHz) delivers tangible benefits in applications that do not scale perfectly with additional threads. Desktop users with Intel Socket 1155 motherboards would naturally gravitate to this chip.

The choice ultimately depends on the platform and primary use case. A desktop builder prioritizing clock speed and single-thread responsiveness should pick the i5-2400. A laptop buyer or someone running heavily threaded workloads should pick the i7-3635QM. Both processors sit at the same 33rd percentile overall, and their average benchmark scores are nearly identical (1187 vs 1170), so neither offers a blanket performance advantage. The deciding factors are the specific benchmark suite, the thermal envelope, and the motherboard or laptop platform requirements.