Quick Verdict
An iconic processor that dominated the 2011 market, now best suited for retro gaming builds and lightweight server tasks.
Overview
Launch
2011
Status
DiscontinuedGeneration
2nd Gen
Market
Desktop
The Intel Core i5-2400 served as the baseline standard-power quad-core processor for the Sandy Bridge generation. Operating at a 95W TDP, it removed the power constraints of the 'S' series, allowing for a higher 3.1 GHz base clock and a 3.4 GHz turbo boost. Like other non-K i5s of its era, it operates without Hyper-Threading, strictly limiting it to four concurrent threads. It features the full 6 MB L3 cache and Intel HD 2000 integrated graphics. This chip was the quintessential mainstream desktop CPU of early 2011, offering a significant leap in IPC (Instructions Per Clock) over the previous Lynnfield architecture.
The Core i5-2400 offers 4 cores, 4 threads, and a 3.4 GHz turbo boost, representing a massive IPC jump over previous generations.
Specifications
Performance
Handles legacy Office suites well, but slow for modern web apps.
Adequate for a basic pfSense router or NAS OS.
Bottlenecks modern GPUs heavily, but great for pre-2015 games.
Consumes more power per percentage of performance than modern chips.
- •Paired with a GTX 1060, it can run Skyrim and Fallout 3 excellently
- •Will severely bottleneck anything above an RTX 2060
- •Single-core speed is too low for modern eSports titles like Valorant
- •No AI acceleration
- •Cannot run modern local LLMs at usable speeds
Architecture
32nm
Process Node
Sandy Bridge
Codename
4C / 4T
Core Config
6 MB
L3 Cache
95 W
TDP
Architecture Overview
Utilizing the complete 216 mm² Sandy Bridge die, the i5-2400 integrates four cores connected via a ring bus to a shared 6 MB L3 cache. The 32nm manufacturing process allowed these four cores to run at higher frequencies than the previous 45nm generation while consuming less power. It features a 100 MHz base clock with a locked 31x multiplier. The on-die dual-channel DDR3 memory controller natively supported speeds up to DDR3-1333, while the integrated PCIe 2.0 controller provided 16 lanes directly to the CPU socket for graphics cards.
CPU Design
4 cores without Hyper-Threading, utilizing an integrated ring bus for cache coherency.
Memory Subsystem
Dual-channel DDR3-1333 memory controller.
PCIe & I/O
16 lanes of PCIe 2.0 for a single x16 or dual x8 GPU configuration.
Overclocking
Locked multiplier; BCLK overclocking is possible but overclocks PCIe/SATA simultaneously.
- Massive ~30% IPC increase
- On-die integrated graphics
- Much lower idle power consumption
Key Highlights
- Very cheap on the used market
- Excellent upgrade path to i7-3770
- Good retro-gaming performance
- Easy to cool
- No Hyper-Threading
- No modern instruction set support
- High power draw relative to performance
- Locked multiplier
- Weak HD 2000 graphics
History
The i5-2400 debuted in January 2011 and became one of the most widely adopted desktop processors of its time. It represented the moment when quad-core computing truly became mainstream and affordable for average consumers. Many pre-built PCs and custom rigs from 2011 to 2013 shipped with this exact processor, making it a highly recognizable SKU.
It coincided with the release of the P67 and H67 motherboards, which were the first to fully utilize the on-die PCIe and graphics capabilities of the Sandy Bridge architecture, fundamentally changing how PCs were built.
Improvements over Previous Generation
- Massive ~30% IPC increase
- On-die integrated graphics
- Much lower idle power consumption
Alternatives & Competitors
Should You Buy It?
Recommended for the right buyer
Building a cheap retro-gaming PC or home server using recycled parts
Avoid if…
- Playing modern AAA games
- Heavy multitasking
- Using as a primary daily driver in 2024
Use Cases
Interesting Facts
The i5-2400 was arguably the most popular mainstream desktop CPU of 2011.
It introduced the 'ring bus' architecture for L3 cache, drastically reducing latency.
Intel stopped including high-quality copper core coolers with this generation.
The integrated HD 2000 graphics are roughly equivalent to a low-end discrete GPU from 2005.
It marked the death of dual-core chips in the mainstream i5 lineup.
BCLK overclocking on this chip also overclocks the PCIe and SATA buses, making it risky.
It was widely used in cybercafes in Asia due to its excellent price-to-performance ratio.
It does not support AVX2, which was introduced in Ivy Bridge.
The metal lid is soldered directly to the die, unlike modern CPUs which use thermal paste.
It was the base test CPU for hundreds of early 2010s GPU reviews.
People Also Ask
Is i5-2400 a quad-core?
Yes, it features 4 physical cores.
Can i5-2400 handle 4K video playback?
It can handle some software-decoded 4K, but will struggle with high-bitrate HEVC.
What is the equivalent of i5-2400 today?
A modern budget Celeron or Pentium often matches or beats it.
How much was the i5-2400 at launch?
It launched at an MSRP of $184.
Can I put an i7 in a motherboard with an i5-2400?
Yes, as long as it is an LGA 1155 i7-2600/2700 and the BIOS is updated.
Does i5-2400 support NVMe?
Not natively; you need a PCIe adapter, and booting is not guaranteed.
Is i5-2400 32-bit or 64-bit?
It is a 64-bit processor supporting Intel 64 architecture.
What is the benchmark score for i5-2400?
It scores around 2,200 on Passmark CPU Mark.
Can i5-2400 run an SSD?
Yes, it fully supports SATA III (6 Gbps) through the motherboard chipset.
What generation is the i5-2400?
It is the 2nd Generation Intel Core.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the max turbo boost of the i5-2400?
3.4 GHz.
Does the i5-2400 have Hyper-Threading?
No, it features 4 cores and 4 threads.
What is the TDP of the i5-2400?
95 Watts.
Can the i5-2400 run Windows 11?
No, it is not on Microsoft's supported CPU list.
What kind of RAM does the i5-2400 use?
DDR3 1333 MHz.
Can I overclock the i5-2400?
Only via the base clock (BCLK), as the multiplier is locked.
Does the i5-2400 have integrated graphics?
Yes, Intel HD 2000.
What socket is the i5-2400?
LGA 1155.
Is the i5-2400 still good for gaming?
Only for retro or older eSports titles; it cannot handle modern AAA games.
What is the difference between i5-2400 and i5-2500?
The i5-2500 has a higher base (3.3 GHz) and turbo (3.7 GHz) clock speed.