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 i5-2400S vs Core i5-6260U 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 i5-2400S vs Core i5-6260U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2400S

2011

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +3.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-6260U.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,187 vs 3,200).
❌Launch MSRP is still $135 MSRP, while Core i5-6260U mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-6260U

2015

Why buy it

✅+0.4% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i5-2400S across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2400S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2400S better than Core i5-6260U?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2400S is ahead with a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-6260U pulls ahead with 0.4% better PassMark. Core i5-2400S 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 i5-6260U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-2400S is the better buy right now. Core i5-2400S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $135 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 3.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-6260U is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.4% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Core i5-6260U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 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 i5-2400S vs Core i5-6260U Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2400S

The Core i5-2400S 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 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1155. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,187 points. Launch price was $141.

Core i5-6260U

The Core i5-6260U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (2015−2016) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 1.8 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 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: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 3,200 points. Launch price was $304.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2400S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-6260U offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2400S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2400S versus 2.9 GHz on the Core i5-6260U — a 12.9% clock advantage for the Core i5-2400S (base: 2.5 GHz vs 1.8 GHz). The Core i5-2400S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-6260U uses Skylake (2015−2016) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2400S scores 3,187 against the Core i5-6260U's 3,200 — a 0.4% lead for the Core i5-6260U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 578 vs 979, a 51.5% lead for the Core i5-6260U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2400S vs 4 MB on the Core i5-6260U.

Feature	Core i5-2400S	Core i5-6260U
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz+14%	2.9 GHz
Base Clock	2.5 GHz+39%	1.8 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)	Skylake (2015−2016)
PassMark	3,187	3,200
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,965	—
Geekbench 6 Single	578	979+69%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,966	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2400S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-6260U uses BGA1356 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2400S versus DDR4-2133 on the Core i5-6260U — the Core i5-6260U 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 i5-2400S) vs 12 (Core i5-6260U) — the Core i5-2400S offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2400S) and Skylake-U (Core i5-6260U).

Feature	Core i5-2400S	Core i5-6260U
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

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-2400S) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-6260U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2400S) and Iris Graphics 540 (Core i5-6260U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-6260U targets Mainstream Laptop. Direct competitor: Core i5-6260U rivals A12-9720P.

Feature	Core i5-2400S	Core i5-6260U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2000	Iris Graphics 540
Unlocked	—	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	—	Mainstream Laptop