Intel Core i5-2390T

The Intel Core i5-2390T is a 32 nm Sandy Bridge desktop processor that has reached end-of-life status, and its benchmark profile places it in the 18th percentile of all CPUs. With an average benchmark score of 724, it sits in a tightly contested performance band where the nearest rivals are separated by less than one percent, making it a processor defined by its efficiency rather than its raw output. This is a low-power, dual-core part with Hyper-Threading, designed for basic computing tasks, and its data reflects a clear focus on thermal restraint over computational muscle.

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark results for the Core i5-2390T point to a very specific use case: light, everyday computing where power draw and heat output matter more than speed. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2130 and Geekbench multicore score of 935 indicate that this chip can handle standard office productivity, web browsing, and document creation without strain, but it will struggle with any intensive parallel workloads. For users whose primary tasks involve spreadsheets, email, and streaming video, the dual-core design with four threads is sufficient, though it will not feel snappy under multitasking pressure.

Creative professionals and gamers should look elsewhere based on the data. The Cinebench R20 single-core score of 126 and Geekbench single-core score of 468 are modest figures that place this processor well below the threshold for modern gaming or content creation. The integrated Intel HD 2000 graphics further reinforce this, as there is no discrete GPU support data to suggest any gaming capability beyond the most basic titles. The 18th percentile ranking against all CPUs is a strong indicator that this processor is not intended for any workload that scales with core count or high clock speeds.

The strongest argument for the i5-2390T is its 35 W TDP class, which makes it a fit for small form-factor systems or legacy motherboards on Socket 1155 where power delivery is limited. It is a candidate for a home server, a lightweight NAS, or a secondary PC for basic administrative tasks. However, any user considering this chip for compilation, video encoding, or 3D rendering will find the benchmark scores lacking, as the Cinebench R15 multicore result of 214 is about a quarter of what modern mainstream processors achieve. The data suggests this is a processor for those who already own a compatible motherboard and need a low-heat replacement, not for anyone building a new performance-oriented system.

Power and Thermals

The thermal design profile for the Core i5-2390T is its most distinguishing characteristic. With a TDP of 35 W, it sits in a low-power class that is typically associated with mobile processors, yet here it is applied to a desktop Socket 1155 part. This low TDP implies that a stock cooler will be more than sufficient, and the processor will not require any specialized cooling solution. The 32 nm process node and 504 million transistors contribute to this efficiency, allowing the chip to operate within a modest thermal envelope even under sustained load.

The implications for system builders are straightforward: the data indicates that a passive or low-profile air cooler can handle this processor without issue. The boost clock of 3.50 GHz is achievable within the 35 W envelope, which means that thermal throttling should be minimal in a well-ventilated chassis. The architecture is Sandy Bridge, a mature design from Intel that is known for its power efficiency at lower clock speeds. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means no overclocking headroom, but that is consistent with a chip whose primary goal is to stay cool and quiet. The memory support is DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration, and while memory bandwidth figures are not listed, the overall power profile suggests that this chip draws very little from the system power supply.

Benchmark Performance

The benchmark data shows a processor that performs almost identically to its nearest rivals, with delta percentages that are statistically negligible. In the average benchmark score, the i5-2390T scores 724, which is 0.3% behind the AMD A8-5600K (727) and 0.7% behind the Intel Core i5-3210M (729). The differences are within the margin of error for synthetic benchmarks, meaning that in real-world use, these processors are interchangeable in terms of raw throughput. The i5-2390T edges out the Intel Core i7-3667U by 0.6% (724 vs 720) and the Intel Core i3-3250 by 0.7% (724 vs 719), but again, these are fractional gains that would not be perceptible to a user.

Looking at specific workloads, the Cinebench R23 multicore score of 2130 places the i5-2390T in a position where it can handle short bursts of multi-threaded activity, but sustained loads will expose its dual-core limitation. The single-core score of 300 in Cinebench R23 is a more telling metric, as it shows that even a single thread is not particularly fast compared to modern standards. The Geekbench scores follow a similar pattern: 935 multicore and 468 singlecore, both of which are low enough to confirm that this is not a performance-oriented part.

The 18th percentile ranking against all CPUs is a critical context for these numbers. This means that 82% of all processors in the benchmark database are faster, which places the i5-2390T firmly in the entry-level segment. The average benchmark score of 724, when compared to the nearest rivals, shows that the i5-2390T is not an outlier in either direction; it is a middle-of-the-pack performer within a narrow band of similarly aged low-power chips. The data suggests that if you are choosing between these rivals, the decision should be based on platform features or price, not on performance, because the scores are effectively tied.

FAQ

Q: What is the TDP of the Intel Core i5-2390T?

A: The TDP is 35 W, which places it in a low-power desktop class suitable for compact systems.

Q: How does the i5-2390T compare to the AMD A8-5600K?

A: The i5-2390T has an average benchmark score of 724, which is 0.3% lower than the A8-5600K’s 727, making them effectively equal in performance.

Q: Does this processor support ECC memory?

A: No, ECC memory is not supported. The memory support is DDR3 in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the boost clock speed?

A: The base clock is 2.70 GHz, and the boost clock is 3.50 GHz, achievable within the 35 W thermal envelope.

Q: Is the multiplier unlocked for overclocking?

A: No, the multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not supported.

Q: What integrated graphics does this processor have?

A: It includes Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics, which is suitable for basic display output but not for gaming.

How It Compares

Against the AMD A8-5600K, the i5-2390T is virtually tied, trailing by only 0.3% in average benchmark score. Both processors are in the same performance class, but the i5-2390T achieves this with a much lower TDP of 35 W compared to a typical desktop APU, making it the more power-efficient choice for a compact build.

The Intel Core i7-3667U is a mobile processor that the i5-2390T beats by 0.6%, a marginal lead that does not translate into a meaningful real-world advantage. The i7-3667U is designed for ultrabooks, and the i5-2390T’s desktop socket and higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz give it a slight edge in sustained single-core tasks.

Versus the Intel Core i5-3210M, the i5-2390T is 0.7% behind, which is within the noise of benchmark variance. The i5-3210M is a mobile part with a similar dual-core, four-thread configuration, and the data shows that the desktop i5-2390T does not offer a significant performance uplift despite its higher boost clock.

The Intel Core i3-3250 is the closest rival, with the i5-2390T leading by 0.7%. Both are Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge era desktop chips with similar clock speeds, and the i5-2390T’s slight advantage comes from its higher boost clock of 3.50 GHz against the i3-3250’s fixed clock. The delta is small enough that a user would not notice any difference in daily use, and the choice between them would come down to platform availability.