Core i5-2400 vs Core i5-7260U

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 i5-7260U 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 i5-7260U: 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

✅Better for gaming: +3.3% higher average FPS across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-7260U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,870 vs 3,953).
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Core i5-7260U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌533.3% higher power demand at 95W vs 15W.

Core i5-7260U

2017

Why buy it

✅+2.1% higher PassMark.
✅Draws 15W instead of 95W, a 80W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-2400 across 49 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2400.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-7260U better than Core i5-2400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2400 is ahead with a 3.3% average FPS lead across 49 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-7260U pulls ahead with 2.1% 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 i5-7260U is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-7260U is still the much better call for a fresh build. Core i5-7260U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you 2.1% better PassMark. Core i5-2400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-7260U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2017 vs 2011) and more multi-core headroom with 2 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 i5-7260U 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 i5-7260U

The Core i5-7260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 January 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake (2016−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1356. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,953 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-7260U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-2400 versus 3.4 GHz on the Core i5-7260U — identical boost frequencies (base: 3.1 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core i5-2400 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-7260U uses Kaby Lake (2016−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2400 scores 3,870 against the Core i5-7260U's 3,953 — a 2.1% lead for the Core i5-7260U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 595 vs 1,192, a 66.8% lead for the Core i5-7260U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2400 vs 4 MB on the Core i5-7260U.

Feature	Core i5-2400	Core i5-7260U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.4 GHz
Base Clock	3.1 GHz+41%	2.2 GHz
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)+50%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Kaby Lake (2016−2019)
PassMark	3,870	3,953+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	595	1,192+100%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2400 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-7260U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2400 versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-7260U — the Core i5-7260U supports 60% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 32 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-2400) vs 12 (Core i5-7260U) — the Core i5-2400 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2400) and Kaby Lake-U (Core i5-7260U).

Feature	Core i5-2400	Core i5-7260U
Socket	LGA1155	BGA1356
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR4-2133+60%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Both support VT-x, VT-d, EPT virtualization. Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2400) and Iris Plus Graphics 640 (Core i5-7260U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2400 targets Legacy Desktop, Core i5-7260U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2400 rivals Phenom II X4 975; Core i5-7260U rivals A12-9720P.

Feature	Core i5-2400	Core i5-7260U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2000	Iris Plus Graphics 640
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	Mainstream Laptop