Core i3-10110U vs Core i5-2400

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i3-10110U vs Core i5-2400 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i3-10110U vs Core i5-2400: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i3-10110U

2019

Why buy it

✅+113.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅Draws 25W instead of 95W, a 70W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,839 vs 3,870).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2400.

Core i5-2400

2011

Why buy it

✅+0.8% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i3-10110U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (595 vs 1,270).
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Core i3-10110U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌280% higher power demand at 95W vs 25W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i3-10110U better than Core i5-2400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i3-10110U is ahead with a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2400 pulls ahead with 0.8% better PassMark. Core i5-2400 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i3-10110U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i3-10110U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), it really only makes sense as a cheap stopgap or a niche existing-platform option for someone already on LGA1155.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i3-10110U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i3-10110U vs Core i5-2400 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i3-10110U

The Core i3-10110U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 21 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1528. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,839 points. Launch price was $69.

Core i5-2400

The Core i5-2400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 9 January 2011 (14 years ago). It is based on the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,870 points. Launch price was $60.

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Processing Power

The Core i3-10110U packs 2 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-2400 offers 4 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i3-10110U versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-2400 — a 18.7% clock advantage for the Core i3-10110U (base: 2.1 GHz vs 3.1 GHz). The Core i3-10110U uses the Comet Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Core i5-2400 uses Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i3-10110U scores 3,839 against the Core i5-2400's 3,870 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-2400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,270 vs 595, a 72.4% lead for the Core i3-10110U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 4 MB (total) on the Core i3-10110U vs 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2400.

Feature	Core i3-10110U	Core i5-2400
Cores / Threads	2 / 4	4 / 4+100%
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+21%	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	2.1 GHz	3.1 GHz+48%
L3 Cache	4 MB (total)	6144 kB (total)+50%
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	14 nm-56%	32 nm
Architecture	Comet Lake-U (2019−2020)	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)
PassMark	3,839	3,870
Cinebench R23 Multi	2,327	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,270+113%	595
Geekbench 6 Multi	2,353	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i3-10110U uses the FCBGA1528 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Core i5-2400 uses LGA1155 (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-2666 on the Core i3-10110U versus DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2400 — the Core i3-10110U supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Core i3-10110U supports up to 64 GB of RAM compared to 32 GB — 100% more capacity for professional workloads. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: SoC (Core i3-10110U) and H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2400).

Feature	Core i3-10110U	Core i5-2400
Socket	FCBGA1528	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0+50%	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666+100%	DDR3-1333
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB+100%	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — UHD Graphics for 10th Gen (Core i3-10110U) and HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2400) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i3-10110U targets Productivity, Core i5-2400 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i3-10110U rivals Ryzen 3 3200U; Core i5-2400 rivals Phenom II X4 975.

Feature	Core i3-10110U	Core i5-2400
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics for 10th Gen	HD Graphics 2000
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Productivity	Legacy Desktop