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 Pentium Gold G5600 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 Pentium Gold G5600: 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

✅+0.7% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Pentium Gold G5600.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Pentium Gold G5600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Launch MSRP is still $184 MSRP, while Pentium Gold G5600 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌75.9% higher power demand at 95W vs 54W.

Pentium Gold G5600

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +8.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 54W instead of 95W, a 41W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,844 vs 3,870).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2400.

Quick Answers

So, is Pentium Gold G5600 better than Core i5-2400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Pentium Gold G5600 is ahead with a 8.7% 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 0.7% 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 0.7% 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?

Pentium Gold G5600 is still the much better call for a fresh build. Pentium Gold G5600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $184 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. Core i5-2400 only looks stronger on raw value math because it is extremely cheap, but that usually means used-market pricing on an obsolete 2011 platform. Even with 100.0% better value on paper (21.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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?

Pentium Gold G5600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-2400 vs Pentium Gold G5600 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.

Pentium Gold G5600

The Pentium Gold G5600 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 3.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 54 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400. Passmark benchmark score: 3,844 points. Launch price was $93.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2400 packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Pentium Gold G5600 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 3.9 GHz on the Pentium Gold G5600 — a 13.7% clock advantage for the Pentium Gold G5600 (base: 3.1 GHz vs 3.9 GHz). The Core i5-2400 uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Pentium Gold G5600 uses Coffee Lake (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2400 scores 3,870 against the Pentium Gold G5600's 3,844 — a 0.7% lead for the Core i5-2400. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 595 vs 837, a 33.8% lead for the Pentium Gold G5600 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2400 vs 4 MB (total) on the Pentium Gold G5600.

Feature	Core i5-2400	Pentium Gold G5600
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.9 GHz+15%
Base Clock	3.1 GHz	3.9 GHz+26%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	14 nm-56%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
PassMark	3,870	3,844
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	2,200
Geekbench 6 Single	595	837+41%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2400 uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Pentium Gold G5600 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2400 versus DDR4 2400 MHz on the Pentium Gold G5600 — the Pentium Gold G5600 supports 80% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Pentium Gold G5600 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: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2400) and Intel H310,Intel B360,Intel H370,Intel Z370,Intel Z390 (Pentium Gold G5600).

Feature	Core i5-2400	Pentium Gold G5600
Socket	LGA1155	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR4 2400 MHz+80%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	64 GB+100%
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2400) vs true (Pentium Gold G5600). Both include integrated graphics — HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2400) and Intel UHD Graphics 630 (Pentium Gold G5600) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2400 targets Legacy Desktop, Pentium Gold G5600 targets Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2400 rivals Phenom II X4 975.

Feature	Core i5-2400	Pentium Gold G5600
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	HD Graphics 2000	Intel UHD Graphics 630
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	true
Target Use	Legacy Desktop	Desktop