CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-2390T vs Intel Core i5-650
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.
Extremely slow by modern standards for any productivity application.
Gaming
Cannot handle any modern 3D games.
Cannot run modern games at playable frame rates. Only suitable for pre-2010 titles.
Virtualization
Can run a single light VM, but severely bottlenecked.
Two cores with Hyper-Threading offer minimal utility for virtualization.
Efficiency
Excellent power efficiency for its era, drawing very little power.
73W TDP for two cores is poor efficiency compared to modern chips.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration hardware
- Lacks AVX-512 or modern matrix extensions
- No AI acceleration instructions
- Far too slow for any ML workload
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
- No modern game will run acceptably
- Integrated HD Graphics cannot handle 3D workloads
- Only viable for 2D or browser-based games
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
- Historically significant as first 32nm desktop CPU
- Integrated graphics for basic display output
- Hyper-Threading helps with light multitasking
- Low used-market cost
Cons
- Only two cores, completely insufficient today
- Extremely slow by any modern standard
- No AVX instruction support
- Obsolete LGA 1156 platform with no upgrade path
- Integrated graphics cannot handle any 3D workload
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 i5-650
- AMD Athlon II X4 635Rival
Budget Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X2 560Rival
Dual-Core Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X4 925Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-750Rival
Mainstream Desktop
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400Rival
Legacy Quad-Core
- AMD Phenom II X4 945Alt
Four cores at a similar price point in 2010.
- Intel Core i3-530Alt
Similar performance at a lower price if integrated graphics were needed.
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 historically significant processor that introduced 32nm manufacturing to desktops, but completely obsolete for any modern workload.
Best for: Keeping an existing LGA 1156 system running for basic tasks
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-2390T or Intel Core i5-650?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-2390T comes out ahead with a score of 4/10. 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 i5-650?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-2390T leads with a gaming performance score of 10/100 among Intel Core i5-2390T and Intel Core i5-650.
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 i5-650 (73 W).
Do Intel Core i5-2390T and Intel Core i5-650 use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-2390T: LGA 1155, Intel Core i5-650: LGA 1156), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-650 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-2390T (1,200), Intel Core i5-650 (4,350). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.