CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-750 vs Intel Core i5-750s
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-750 is a quad-core Lynnfield desktop processor that defined mainstream performance in 2009, offering four real cores on LGA 1156 without Hyper-Threading or integrated graphics.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
Four cores help with basic multitasking but modern productivity apps will feel sluggish.
Slower than the standard i5-750 in sustained multi-threaded workloads due to the 2.4GHz base.
Gaming
With a discrete GPU, can handle older games but cannot run modern titles at acceptable frame rates due to CPU limitations.
Turbo boost helps in light gaming but the low base clock hurts in sustained loads.
Virtualization
Four real cores provide usable virtualization for lightweight VMs.
Four cores help but lower clocks limit VM performance.
Efficiency
95W for four 45nm cores is inefficient by modern standards.
Better efficiency than the standard i5-750 at 82W, though still poor by modern standards.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No AI acceleration instructions
- Far too slow for any ML workload
- No AI acceleration
- Far too slow for any ML workload
Content Creation
Gaming
- Cannot run modern AAA games at playable frame rates
- With a capable discrete GPU, older titles (pre-2015) run adequately
- The 2.666GHz base clock is a significant bottleneck
- 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
- Four real cores provided strong 2009-era performance
- 8MB L3 cache was generous for the price
- Turbo boost significantly improved single-threaded performance
- Excellent value that redefined mainstream desktop pricing
- Overclockable via BCLK with good headroom
Cons
- No Hyper-Threading limits multi-threaded vs i7 Lynnfield
- No integrated graphics requires a discrete GPU
- 45nm process is obsolete
- No AVX instruction support
- LGA 1156 platform is dead with no upgrade path
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 i5-750
- AMD Phenom II X4 965Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X4 955Rival
Quad-Core Desktop
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-920Rival
High-End Desktop
- AMD Phenom II X6 1055TRival
Six-Core Desktop
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650Rival
Legacy Quad-Core
- Intel Core i7-860Alt
Eight threads via Hyper-Threading for better multi-threaded performance.
Higher clock speed on the same platform for a small premium.
Compare head-to-head
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 landmark processor that offered excellent quad-core value in 2009-2010. Completely obsolete today but historically significant as the processor that established the Core i5 brand.
Best for: Keeping an existing LGA 1156 Lynnfield system functional for light tasks
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 i5-750 or Intel Core i5-750s?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-750 comes out ahead with a score of 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 i5-750 or Intel Core i5-750s?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-750 leads with a gaming performance score of 12/100 among Intel Core i5-750 and Intel Core i5-750s.
Which uses less power?
The Intel Core i5-750s has the lowest rated TDP. Power draw across these chips: Intel Core i5-750 (95 W), Intel Core i5-750s (82 W).
Do Intel Core i5-750 and Intel Core i5-750s use the same socket?
Yes — all of these CPUs use the LGA 1156 socket, so they share compatible motherboards.
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-750 posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-750 (6,750), Intel Core i5-750s (6,350). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.