CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-2400S vs Intel Core i5-3330S
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-2400S is a quad-core processor tailored for small form factor desktops that cannot accommodate standard 95W cooling solutions. By maintaining four physical cores but lowering the base and turbo frequencies compared to the standard i5-2400, Intel achieved a 65W thermal envelope. It lacks Hyper-Threading, a defining characteristic of non-K Sandy Bridge i5 processors, meaning it handles four threads natively. Equipped with 6 MB of shared L3 cache and Intel HD 2000 graphics, it provided a balanced blend of multi-core productivity and low-power operation for home and office PCs during its prime.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Handles basic office tasks but struggles with heavy spreadsheets or modern web apps.
4 cores handle basic office tasks well, but the lack of threads and older IPC limits heavy multitasking.
Gaming
Cannot handle modern AAA games, even at lowest settings.
The HD 2500 graphics are extremely weak; a dedicated GPU is required for any form of gaming.
Virtualization
Can run a basic NAS OS or light VM, but limited by 4 threads.
Can run a couple of light VMs with VT-d support, but limited by 4 threads.
Efficiency
Good power-to-core ratio for the 32nm era.
The 65W TDP and 22nm process provide excellent efficiency for a desktop chip of its era.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware capabilities
- Too slow for practical machine learning inference
- No AI hardware support
- Aging architecture makes AI inference very slow
Content Creation
Gaming
- HD 2000 graphics lack driver support for modern titles
- Even with a discrete GPU, CPU bottlenecks severely
- Playable only in legacy esports like CS 1.6
- HD 2500 graphics are only suitable for 2D applications
- Requires a discrete GPU for any 3D gaming
- Older architecture limits performance with modern GPUs
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- True quad-core CPU
- Low 65W power draw
- Cool and quiet operation
- Full 6 MB L3 cache
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading
- Low clock speeds
- Outdated HD 2000 graphics
- Not Windows 11 compatible
- Locked multiplier
Pros
- Low 65W TDP for cool and quiet operation
- True quad-core design for basic multitasking
- Uses the ubiquitous LGA 1155 socket
- Supports PCIe 3.0
Cons
- Weak HD 2500 integrated graphics
- No Hyper-Threading
- End-of-life and outdated
- Locked multiplier
- DDR3 memory only
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-2400S
- AMD Phenom II X4 960TRival
Desktop
- AMD FX-4100Rival
Desktop
- AMD A8-3800Rival
Desktop APU
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-2390TRival
Desktop
- Intel Core i3-2125Rival
Desktop
Standard power, faster clocks for tower PCs.
Compare head-to-headSame power, better integrated graphics.
Compare head-to-head- AMD FX-4300Alt
Slightly newer platform with more upgrade paths.
- Intel Core i7-2600SAlt
Same 65W TDP but adds Hyper-Threading.
- Intel Xeon E3-1235Alt
Similar specs with better graphics, though 80W TDP.
Intel Core i5-3330S
- AMD FX-4300Rival
Desktop
- Intel Core i5-3450Rival
Desktop
- AMD A8-5600KRival
Desktop APU
- Intel Core i3-3220Rival
Desktop
- AMD FX-6100Rival
Desktop
A newer Haswell generation low-power CPU if upgrading within a similar tier.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 3 3200GAlt
A budget modern alternative with vastly superior Vega integrated graphics.
A modern budget quad-core that obliterates this chip in every metric.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 5 5600GAlt
A modern APU that offers incredible integrated graphics and CPU performance.
A budget modern CPU that offers 6 cores and 12 threads for cheap.
Compare head-to-head
Our Verdict on Each
A power-efficient quad-core chip that is now strictly relegated to keeping legacy small form factor office PCs operational.
Best for: Direct replacement for a failed CPU in a Dell Optiplex SFF
Read the full reviewA reliable low-power quad-core for its time, good for basic desktop tasks, but severely lacking in graphical and multi-threaded performance today.
Best for: Reviving an old office PC for basic web browsing or as a home NAS server.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-2400S or Intel Core i5-3330S?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-3330S comes out ahead with a score of 6/10. 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 i5-2400S or Intel Core i5-3330S?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-3330S leads with a gaming performance score of 30/100 among Intel Core i5-2400S and Intel Core i5-3330S.
Do Intel Core i5-2400S and Intel Core i5-3330S use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-2400S: LGA 1155, Intel Core i5-3330S: Intel Socket 1155), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-2400S posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-2400S (2,400). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.