Core i5-2400 vs Core i5-3330S

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 i5-2400 vs Core i5-3330S 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 i5-2400 vs Core i5-3330S: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2400

2011

Why buy it

✅Costs $47 less on MSRP ($184 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
✅Delivers 24.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 21.0 vs 16.9 PassMark/$ ($184 MSRP vs $231 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2000, while Core i5-3330S needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-3330S.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,870 vs 3,915).
❌23.4% higher power demand at 95W vs 77W.

Core i5-3330S

2012

Why buy it

✅+1.2% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 77W instead of 95W, a 18W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 16.9 vs 21.0 PassMark/$ ($231 MSRP vs $184 MSRP).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-3330S better than Core i5-2400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2400 is ahead with a 1.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3330S pulls ahead with 1.2% better PassMark.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-3330S is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.2% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-3330S is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-3330S comes in 25.5% more expensive on MSRP at $231 MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.2% better PassMark. Core i5-2400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 24.1% better value on paper (21.0 vs 16.9 PassMark/$), 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 i5-3330S makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2012 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 4 threads instead of 4/4. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-2400 vs Core i5-3330S Technical Specifications

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

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.

Core i5-3330S

The Core i5-3330S is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 September 2012 (13 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,915 points. Launch price was $231.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2400 and Core i5-3330S share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-2400 versus 3.2 GHz on the Core i5-3330S — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Core i5-2400 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Core i5-2400 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-3330S uses Ivy Bridge (2012−2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2400 scores 3,870 against the Core i5-3330S's 3,915 — a 1.2% lead for the Core i5-3330S. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2400 vs 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-3330S.

Feature	Core i5-2400	Core i5-3330S
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz+6%	3.2 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+15%	2.7 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	6 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256 kB (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Ivy Bridge (2012−2013)
PassMark	3,870	3,915+1%
Geekbench 6 Single	595	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the LGA1155 socket with PCIe 2.0.

Feature	Core i5-2400	Core i5-3330S
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1155
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2400) / not specified (Core i5-3330S). The Core i5-2400 includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Core i5-3330S requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2400 targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2400 rivals Phenom II X4 975.

Feature	Core i5-2400	Core i5-3330S
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2000	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-2400 was priced at $184, while the Core i5-3330S came in at $231. On launch pricing ($184 vs $231), Core i5-2400 was $47 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2400 delivers 21.0 pts/$ vs 16.9 pts/$ for the Core i5-3330S — making the Core i5-2400 the 21.5% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-2400	Core i5-3330S
MSRP	$184-20%	$231
Performance per Dollar	21.0+24%	16.9
Release Date	2011	2012

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