Intel Core i5-2400S vs Intel Core i7-950 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent, though not overwhelming, victory for the Intel Core i7-950 across every shared benchmark. The i7-950 wins all five head-to-head tests, with the i5-2400S trailing by a narrow margin in each case. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the i7-950 scores 280 against the i5-2400S's 262, a delta of -6.4% for the Sandy Bridge part. The same -6.4% gap appears in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the i7-950 posts 1167 while the i5-2400S manages 1092.

Single-core results tell a similar story. The i7-950 leads in Cinebench R20 single-core with 164 versus 154, a -6.1% difference. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the gap returns to -6.4%, with the i7-950 scoring 392 against the i5-2400S's 367. The i7-950 also wins Cinebench R23 multicore by the same -6.4% margin, scoring 2780 against 2601. Notably, the i5-2400S has no Geekbench entries in the head-to-head set, so the comparison rests entirely on the five Cinebench workloads.

The average benchmark score in the database favors the i5-2400S slightly, at 968 versus 957 for the i7-950, but that figure includes tests not shared between the two. The head-to-head data is unambiguous: the i7-950 is faster in every measured workload, with a uniform delta of roughly 6% in its favor. Neither processor cracks a higher percentile; both sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they occupy a similar performance tier despite the i7-950's edge in direct comparison.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural eras. The i5-2400S is built on Sandy Bridge, a 32 nm design manufactured by Intel, while the i7-950 uses the older Nehalem architecture, codenamed Bloomfield, on a 45 nm process. The die size reflects this: the i5-2400S measures 216 mm² with 1,160 million transistors, whereas the i7-950 is larger at 263 mm² but packs fewer transistors, 731 million. The newer process node allows the i5-2400S to achieve a significantly lower TDP of 65 watts compared to the i7-950's 130 watts.

Core counts are identical at four, but the i7-950 brings Hyper-Threading to the table, offering 8 threads against the i5-2400S's 4 threads. This explains why the i7-950 leads in multicore tests despite its older architecture. Clock speeds favor the i7-950 in base frequency, running at 3.07 GHz versus 2.50 GHz for the i5-2400S. Boost clocks are nearly identical, with the i7-950 at 3.33 GHz and the i5-2400S at 3.30 GHz.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. Both share 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but the i7-950 has a larger 8 MB shared L3 cache, while the i5-2400S offers 6 MB shared. Memory support is DDR3 for both, but the i7-950 uses a triple-channel memory bus, whereas the i5-2400S is dual-channel. Neither processor supports ECC memory.

The i5-2400S includes integrated graphics, specifically Intel HD 2000, while the i7-950 has no integrated graphics at all. The i5-2400S also features PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), whereas the i7-950 is limited to PCIe Gen 2. Socket requirements differ: the i5-2400S uses Intel Socket 1155, the i7-950 uses Intel Socket 1366. Both are locked parts with no unlocked multiplier, and both are marked as end-of-life in production status.

Where Each One Wins

The i7-950 wins every head-to-head benchmark in the database, but the margins are modest. In multicore workloads, its 8 threads give it an advantage over the i5-2400S's 4 threads, which is why it leads by roughly 6% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests. The i7-950 also wins single-core tests, despite its older architecture, thanks to a higher base clock of 3.07 GHz against 2.50 GHz. The boost clock difference is negligible at 3.33 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, so the base clock advantage carries the i7-950 in single-threaded scenarios.

The i5-2400S, by contrast, offers advantages outside raw compute. Its 65 watt TDP makes it far more power-efficient than the 130 watt i7-950, and its integrated graphics mean a separate GPU is not strictly required for basic display output. The newer 32 nm process node and smaller die size suggest better thermal characteristics, though the database does not record thermals directly. The i5-2400S also supports PCIe Gen 3, which could be relevant for newer expansion cards, while the i7-950 is limited to PCIe Gen 2.

The use-case split is clear from the data. Applications that scale with thread count, such as video rendering or multi-threaded encoding, favor the i7-950. Applications that are lightly threaded may also slightly favor the i7-950 due to its higher base clock. The i5-2400S, however, is the better choice for systems where power draw matters, where integrated graphics are needed, or where the motherboard platform dictates Sandy Bridge compatibility.

The Verdict

The data points to a straightforward recommendation: the Intel Core i7-950 is the faster processor in every measured benchmark. Its 8 threads and higher base clock deliver a consistent 6% lead across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multicore. Anyone prioritizing raw CPU performance should choose the i7-950, provided the platform supports Socket 1366 and can handle the 130 watt TDP.

The i5-2400S is not without merit, but its strengths lie elsewhere. The 65 watt TDP makes it a more power-conscious option, and the integrated Intel HD 2000 graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic builds. Its 32 nm process node and PCIe Gen 3 support are more modern, but the benchmark data shows no performance benefit from these features in the tested workloads.

Both processors sit at the 26th percentile among all CPUs, meaning neither is a high-performance part by modern standards. Within this pairing, the i7-950 is the clear winner for compute-heavy tasks, while the i5-2400S appeals to those who value efficiency and integrated graphics. The i7-950's launch MSRP is not recorded in the database, so no cost comparison is possible. Based strictly on the recorded benchmarks, the i7-950 is the pick for performance, and the i5-2400S is the pick for efficiency.

FAQ

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

A: The Intel Core i7-950 wins both single-core tests in the head-to-head data. It scores 164 in Cinebench R20 single-core versus 154 for the i5-2400S, and 392 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 367, a -6.4% gap.

Q: Does the i5-2400S have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i5-2400S includes Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics. The i7-950 has no integrated graphics, which means it requires a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How do the thread counts compare?

A: The i5-2400S has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the i7-950 has 4 cores and 8 threads due to Hyper-Threading support. This thread advantage is a key reason the i7-950 leads in multicore benchmarks.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The i5-2400S has a TDP of 65 watts, while the i7-950 has a TDP of 130 watts. The i5-2400S is significantly more power-efficient.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Both the i5-2400S and the i7-950 have locked multipliers, so neither is designed for overclocking.

Q: Do the two processors use the same socket?

A: No. The i5-2400S uses Intel Socket 1155, while the i7-950 uses Intel Socket 1366. They are not interchangeable between platforms.