CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-2390T vs Intel Core i5-2500S
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-2390T is a low-power dual-core processor from the Sandy Bridge generation, featuring Hyper-Threading to handle four threads simultaneously. With a thermal design power of just 35 watts, it was designed specifically for compact desktops and all-in-one PCs where cooling space and power delivery are strictly limited. Despite its small power footprint, it operates at a respectable 2.7 GHz base frequency and can turbo boost up to 3.5 GHz under load. It includes the Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics, providing basic display output without the need for a dedicated graphics card. This chip represents a unique era in computing when dual-core i5s were still prevalent in the market, serving users who needed hyper-threading capabilities and modern instruction sets like AVX without the heat output of a quad-core chip.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Extremely slow for modern office suites and web applications.
Handles legacy office workloads well, but sustained multi-core loads cause it to throttle below standard i5-2500 speeds.
Gaming
Cannot handle any modern 3D games.
Intel HD 2000 graphics prevent any meaningful modern gaming experience.
Virtualization
Can run a single light VM, but severely bottlenecked.
Good enterprise virtualization feature support, but limited by four total threads.
Efficiency
Excellent power efficiency for its era, drawing very little power.
Excellent efficiency for 2011, drawing significantly less power at idle and light loads than 95 W parts.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 or modern matrix extensions
- No AI acceleration capabilities
- AVX support exists but lacks AVX2 for modern workloads
- Far too slow for practical AI tasks
Content Creation
Gaming
- Lacks modern instruction sets required by current game engines
- HD 2000 graphics cannot run modern APIs like DirectX 12
- Only playable with very old 2D or pre-2010 3D games
- Intel HD 2000 is a severe bottleneck for 3D rendering
- Can handle older 2D or very light 3D indie games
- Requires a discrete GPU for any acceptable gaming experience
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Very low 35W power consumption
- Hyper-Threading support
- Includes basic integrated graphics
Cons
- Only 2 physical cores
- Reduced 3 MB L3 cache
- No AVX2 support
- Cannot run Windows 11
- Obsolete for modern tasks
Pros
- Matches the 3.7 GHz turbo of the standard 95 W i5-2500
- 65 W TDP allows for much quieter, smaller cooling solutions
- Full enterprise feature set including TXT and VT-d
- Lower idle power consumption than standard desktop parts
- Reliable Sandy Bridge architecture
Cons
- Lower sustained multi-core clocks due to 65 W limit
- Intel HD 2000 graphics are very weak
- Locked multiplier
- No Hyper-Threading
- Obsolete platform with no upgrade path
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-2390T
- AMD Phenom II X4 840Rival
Desktop
- AMD Athlon II X4 645Rival
Desktop
- AMD A8-3850Rival
Desktop APU
- Intel Core i3-2120Rival
Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-650Rival
Desktop
Much better performance, though higher power draw.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i3-2100TAlt
Lower cost, similar power envelope.
- AMD A6-3650Alt
Better integrated graphics performance.
- Intel Core i7-2600TAlt
More threads within the same 65W power envelope.
- Intel Pentium G860Alt
Budget alternative if hyperthreading is not needed.
Intel Core i5-2500S
- AMD Phenom II X4 840TRival
Low Power Desktop
- AMD A8-3820Rival
Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2400SRival
Low Power Desktop
- AMD A6-3670Rival
Budget Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2500TRival
Ultra Low Power Desktop
If your SFF chassis can handle 95 W, the standard 2500 offers better sustained performance for less money.
Compare head-to-headIvy Bridge successor with better integrated graphics and slightly improved efficiency.
Compare head-to-head- Intel Core i7-2600SAlt
Adds Hyper-Threading (8 threads) for better multi-tasking within the same 65 W power envelope.
Our Verdict on Each
An obsolete low-power processor suitable only for keeping legacy slim-profile desktops functional.
Best for: Repairing a broken 2011 all-in-one PC
Read the full reviewA highly effective power-optimized Sandy Bridge chip that delivered excellent burst performance for its 65 W TDP, though entirely outclassed today.
Best for: Replacing a failed CPU in a proprietary Small Form Factor PC that strictly requires a 65 W or lower processor.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-2390T or Intel Core i5-2500S?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-2500S comes out ahead with a score of 4.5/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-2390T or Intel Core i5-2500S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-2500S leads with a gaming performance score of 12/100 among Intel Core i5-2390T and Intel Core i5-2500S.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-2390T has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-2390T (35 W), Intel Core i5-2500S (65 W).
Do Intel Core i5-2390T and Intel Core i5-2500S use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1155 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-2500S has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-2390T (2 cores), Intel Core i5-2500S (4 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-2500S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-2390T (1,200), Intel Core i5-2500S (3,800). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.