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 i5-2400 Name Intel Core i3-540
Intel Core i5 Family Intel Core i3
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i 2000 Group Intel Core i3 500
 
 

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 Threads 4
No Hyperthreading Yes
3.1 GHz Frequency 3.06 GHz
4 CPU Cores 2
normal Core architecture normal
3.4 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) None
4x Cores 2x
No Overclocking No
 
 

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.
Intel HD Graphics 2000 GPU name Intel HD Graphics (Westmere)
48 Shaders 24
32 nm Technology 32 nm
0.85 GHz GPU frequency 0.5 GHz
6 Execution units 12
1.1 GHz GPU (Turbo) 0.73 GHz
10.1 Direct X 10.1
6 Generation 5
2.0 GB Max. GPU Memory 2.0 GB
Q1/2011 Release date Q1/2010
-- Max. displays --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

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

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
No AV1 No
Decode VC-1 No
No h265 / HEVC (10 bit) No
No h265 / HEVC (8 bit) No
Decode / Encode h264 Decode
No VP8 No
Decode / Encode AVC Decode
No VP9 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.
Yes AES-NI No
No ECC Yes
pci PCIe pci
DDR3-1333 Memory type DDR3-1066, DDR3-1333
2 Memory channels 2
32.0 GB Max. Memory 16.0 GB
21.3 GB/s Bandwidth 21.0 GB/s
 
 

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.
-- Tjunction max --
95 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 73 W
 
 

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.
-- Release price 117 $
32 nm Technology 32 nm
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
0 bytes L2-Cache 512.0 KB
6.0 MB L3-Cache 4.0 MB
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX ISA extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2
VT-x, VT-x EPT Virtualization VT-x, VT-x EPT
-- Part Number --
Monolithic Chip design Monolithic
LGA 1155 Socket LGA 1156
Sandy Bridge S Architecture Clarkdale
Q1/2011 Release date Q1/2010
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
 
 

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