CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-2400S vs Intel Core i5-750s
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.
Slower than the standard i5-750 in sustained multi-threaded workloads due to the 2.4GHz base.
Gaming
Cannot handle modern AAA games, even at lowest settings.
Turbo boost helps in light gaming but the low base clock hurts in sustained loads.
Virtualization
Can run a basic NAS OS or light VM, but limited by 4 threads.
Four cores help but lower clocks limit VM performance.
Efficiency
Good power-to-core ratio for the 32nm era.
Better efficiency than the standard i5-750 at 82W, though still poor by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI hardware capabilities
- Too slow for practical machine learning inference
- No AI acceleration
- Far too slow for any ML workload
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
- 2.4GHz base clock is too low for modern games
- Turbo boost to 3.2GHz helps slightly in lightly threaded scenarios
- Requires a discrete GPU for any gaming
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- Outdated HD 2000 graphics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
- Lower power consumption for small form factor builds
- Same turbo boost ceiling as standard i5-750
- Four real cores with 8MB cache
- Lower thermal output simplifies cooling
Cons
- 2.4GHz base clock was slow even in 2010
- Significant performance drop in sustained multi-threaded workloads
- No integrated graphics requires discrete GPU
- No AVX support
- Completely obsolete platform
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 i5-750s
- AMD Phenom II X4 910eRival
Low-Power Quad-Core
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-750Rival
Standard Quad-Core
- AMD Athlon II X4 605eRival
Low-Power Quad-Core
- Intel Core i3-530Rival
Budget Dual-Core with iGPU
- AMD Phenom II X4 810Rival
Budget Quad-Core
If integrated graphics and low power were priorities over core count.
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 reviewAn interesting low-power variant that traded clock speed for efficiency, but the 2.4GHz base clock limited performance even in 2010.
Best for: Maintaining an existing SFF Lynnfield build
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-2400S or Intel Core i5-750s?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-2400S 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 i5-2400S or Intel Core i5-750s?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-2400S leads with a gaming performance score of 15/100 among Intel Core i5-2400S and Intel Core i5-750s.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-2400S has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-2400S (65 W), Intel Core i5-750s (82 W).
Do Intel Core i5-2400S and Intel Core i5-750s use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-2400S: LGA 1155, Intel Core i5-750s: LGA 1156), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-750s posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-2400S (2,400), Intel Core i5-750s (6,350). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.