Intel Core i5-2400 vs Intel Core i3-540

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i5-2400 or Intel Core i5-2400 – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i5-2400 features 4 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2011 and belongs to the 2 generation of the Intel Core i5 series.
To use the Intel Core i5-2400, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1155 socket.
The Intel Core i3-540 features 2 processor cores and has the capability to manage 4 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q1/2010 and belongs to the 1 generation of the Intel Core i3 series.
To use the Intel Core i3-540, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 1156 socket.
2 Generation 1
Intel Core i5 Family Intel Core i3
Intel Core i 2000 Group Intel Core i3 500
Intel Core i5-2400 Name Intel Core i3-540
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i5-2400 has 4 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i5-2400 is 3.1 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 3.4 GHz.
The Intel Core i3-540 has 2 CPU cores and can calculate 4 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i3-540 is 3.06 GHz
4 CPU Cores 2
4 Threads 4
3.4 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
3.1 GHz Frequency 3.06 GHz
4x Cores 2x
normal Core architecture normal
No Overclocking No
No Hyperthreading Yes
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i5-2400 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i5-2400 uses the Intel HD Graphics 2000, which has 48 texture shaders
and 6 execution units.
The iGPU uses the system's main memory as graphics memory and sits on the processor's die.
The Intel Core i3-540 has integrated graphics, called iGPU for short.
Specifically, the Intel Core i3-540 uses the Intel HD Graphics (Westmere), which has 24 texture shaders
and 12 execution units.
6 Generation 5
Q1/2011 Release date Q1/2010
-- Max. displays --
6 Execution units 12
48 Shaders 24
1.1 GHz GPU (Turbo) 0.73 GHz
0.85 GHz GPU frequency 0.5 GHz
32 nm Technology 32 nm
Intel HD Graphics 2000 GPU name Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
10.1 Direct X 10.1
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
No JPEG No
Decode / Encode h264 Decode
No AV1 No
No VP9 No
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
Decode / Encode AVC Decode
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
No VP8 No
Decode VC-1 No
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 32.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.3 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 16.0 GB distributed across 2 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 21.0 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
2 Memory channels 2
32.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
Yes AES-NI No
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth 21.0 GB/s
No ECC Yes
pci PCIe pci
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 95 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 73 W watts.
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 73 W
-- Tjunction max --
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i5-2400 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 6.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The Intel Core i3-540 is manufactured using a 32 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 4.0 MB cache.
Q1/2011 Release date Q1/2010
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Clarkdale
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
6.0 MB L3-Cache 4.0 MB
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
32 nm Technology 32 nm
LGA 1155 Socket LGA 1156
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
-- Part Number --
-- Release price 117 $
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
0 bytes L2-Cache 512.0 KB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2400
4C 4T @ 3.1 GHz
2345
2345
Intel Core i3-540
2C 4T @ 3.06 GHz
1141
1141

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2400
4C 4T @ 3.1 GHz
1778
1778
Intel Core i3-540
2C 4T @ 3.06 GHz
952
952

CPU-Z Benchmark 17 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i5-2400
4C 4T @ 3.1 GHz
1230
1230
Intel Core i3-540
2C 4T @ 3.06 GHz
685
685

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i5-2400
4C 4T @ 3.1 GHz
598
598
Intel Core i3-540
2C 4T @ 3.06 GHz
470
470