Intel Core i5-2400S

The Intel Core i5-2400S is a desktop processor from Intel, based on the Sandy Bridge architecture and manufactured on a 32 nm process. It contains four cores and four threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The chip is rated at a 65 W TDP and fits the Intel Socket 1155. It supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, includes Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics, and provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Released on 2011-01-08, it is now end-of-life, with part number SR00S.

Benchmark Performance

The i5-2400S posts an average benchmark score of 928, placing it in the 24th percentile of all CPUs tracked. That means it outperforms roughly a quarter of the processors in the database, while the majority are faster. The score is derived from a range of tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core yields 271, R20 multi-core 1132, R20 single-core 159, R23 multi-core 2696, R23 single-core 380, Geekbench multi-core 1356, and Geekbench single-core 503. These numbers paint a picture of a quad-core chip that scales well across threads but lacks the per-core punch of modern designs.

The nearest rivals are all within a fraction of a percent of the i5-2400S. The Intel Core i7-4600U scores 927, which is 0.1% lower than the i5-2400S. The Intel Core i7-870 scores 924, 0.4% lower. On the other side, the Intel Core i5-4330M scores 933, 0.5% higher, and the Intel Core i5-4288U scores 934, 0.6% higher. These deltas are negligible in real-world terms; the i5-2400S is effectively performance-equivalent to a cluster of mobile and older desktop parts. The 24th percentile standing, however, shows that the competition is much faster across the broader CPU landscape.

The single-thread scores are particularly telling. In Cinebench R23, the single-core result of 380 is modest, and Geekbench single-core 503 is similarly low. Multi-threaded scores are several times higher, reflecting the benefit of four physical cores. The R23 multi-core score of 2696 is substantially larger than the single-core 380, and the R20 multi-core 1132 dwarfs the single-core 159. This pattern indicates that the i5-2400S can handle parallel workloads reasonably well for its era, but will lag in tasks that depend on fast single-thread execution.

Power and Thermals

With a TDP of 65 W, the i5-2400S falls into a low-power desktop category. This power envelope allows for compact cooling solutions and modest power supply requirements. The 32 nm process and a die size of 216 mm², housing 1,160 million transistors, contribute to the chip’s efficiency. A 65 W TDP typically implies that a simple air cooler is sufficient, and the i5-2400S does not demand the robust cooling that higher-TDP parts require. The integrated Intel HD 2000 graphics share the same thermal budget, but the overall heat output remains low enough for mainstream desktop builds. No additional thermal data is provided, but the TDP class alone suggests quiet operation and easy cooling.

Platform and Compatibility

The i5-2400S uses the Intel Socket 1155, a platform that was common for Sandy Bridge desktop processors. It supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration, though specific memory speeds are not listed. The memory bus is dual-channel, which was standard for the time. For expansion, the chip provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), enabling a discrete graphics card or other high-bandwidth devices. Integrated graphics are handled by Intel HD 2000, which can drive displays without a separate GPU. ECC memory is not supported, so the chip is unsuitable for error-correcting memory workloads. The production status is end-of-life, meaning no new units are manufactured. The release date of 2011-01-08 marks it as a product from the early 2010s, and the lack of a listed launch MSRP suggests it was a mainstream offering. The part number SR00S is a specific identifier for this variant.

FAQ

Q: What is the base clock speed of the Intel Core i5-2400S?

A: The base clock is 2.50 GHz, with a boost clock of 3.30 GHz.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 4 cores and 4 threads, meaning it does not support hyper-threading.

Q: Does it include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Intel HD 2000.

Q: What memory type does it support?

A: It supports DDR3 memory in dual-channel configuration.

Q: What is the TDP?

A: The TDP is 65 W.

Q: What is the PCIe version and lane count?

A: It supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only).

Q: When was it released?

A: It was released on 2011-01-08.

Who Should Consider It

The i5-2400S is a low-to-mid-range processor from 2011, and its 24th percentile standing reflects that it is outclassed by the majority of modern CPUs. It is best suited for basic office tasks, web browsing, and light productivity where multi-threaded performance is not a bottleneck. The single-core score of 380 in Cinebench R23 indicates it can run legacy software without issue, but it will struggle with modern applications that demand higher IPC. The multi-core score of 2696 suggests it can handle some parallel workloads, such as simple video encoding or batch file processing, but not heavy rendering or complex simulations. For gaming, the integrated HD 2000 is not capable of modern titles, and the CPU itself would likely bottleneck a discrete GPU in demanding games. The 65 W TDP makes it a candidate for quiet, low-energy builds, such as a home server or a retro gaming PC running older operating systems. Users who need a functional, low-power desktop for everyday tasks or for tinkering with older software will find it adequate.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The benchmark data reveals a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the single-core score is 380, while the multi-core score is 2696. Similarly, Geekbench reports 503 single-core and 1356 multi-core. The multi-threaded results are several times higher, showing that the four physical cores scale well in parallel workloads. However, the single-thread numbers are modest by modern standards, indicating limited per-core performance. This means applications that rely on a single thread, such as older games, spreadsheet macros, or some database queries, will see lower performance. Conversely, workloads that can utilize all four cores, like video transcoding or 3D rendering, will benefit from the multi-thread scaling. The lack of hyper-threading (4 threads for 4 cores) limits the multi-thread potential compared to CPUs with more threads. The R15 multi-core score of 271 and R20 multi-core of 1132 further illustrate this pattern. Overall, the i5-2400S is a balanced but dated quad-core that offers better multi-threaded throughput than single-threaded responsiveness.

How It Compares

Intel Core i7-4600U: The i7-4600U is a mobile processor with an average score of 927, which is 0.1% lower than the i5-2400S. The i5-2400S edges out the i7-4600U, but the difference is negligible. Both are within the same performance tier, though the i7-4600U is a low-power ultrabook chip with a much lower TDP.

Intel Core i7-870: The i7-870, an older desktop quad-core, scores 924, which is 0.4% lower than the i5-2400S. The i5-2400S is slightly faster, likely due to its newer architecture despite having a similar core count. The i7-870 lacks the integrated graphics update and uses a different socket.

Intel Core i5-4330M: This mobile i5 scores 933, which is 0.5% higher than the i5-2400S. The i5-4330M is a newer generation (Haswell) and benefits from improved IPC, but the difference is still small. The i5-2400S holds its own against this later mobile part.

Intel Core i5-4288U: Another mobile part, the i5-4288U scores 934, 0.6% higher than the i5-2400S. Again, the performance gap is minimal, showing that the i5-2400S is essentially equivalent to these other processors within a tight cluster of 0.6% variance. In practice, these chips are interchangeable for most workloads, and the i5-2400S remains a viable low-cost option for legacy systems.