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 i7-4600M 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 i7-4600M: 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

✅+199.5% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i7-4600M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (578 vs 1,025).
❌Launch MSRP is still $135 MSRP, while Core i7-4600M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i7-4600M

2013

Why buy it

✅+77.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (656 vs 1,965).
❌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 i7-4600M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i7-4600M is ahead with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-2400S pulls ahead with 199.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. 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 i5-2400S is the stronger fit. You are getting 199.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, 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 i5-2400S is the better buy right now. Core i5-2400S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $135 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you 199.5% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. The compromise is that Core i7-4600M is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (23.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i7-4600M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2013 vs 2011). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-2400S vs Core i7-4600M 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 i7-4600M

The Core i7-4600M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 2.9 GHz, with boost up to 3.6 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,204 points. Launch price was $346.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2400S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i7-4600M 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 3.6 GHz on the Core i7-4600M — a 8.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-4600M (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-2400S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i7-4600M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2400S scores 3,187 against the Core i7-4600M's 3,204 — a 0.5% lead for the Core i7-4600M. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 1,965 vs 656 (99.9% advantage for the Core i5-2400S). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 578 vs 1,025, a 55.8% lead for the Core i7-4600M that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,966 vs 2,132 (8.1% advantage for the Core i7-4600M). L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2400S vs 4 MB (total) on the Core i7-4600M.

Feature	Core i5-2400S	Core i7-4600M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	3.6 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	2.9 GHz+16%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,187	3,204
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,965+200%	656
Geekbench 6 Single	578	1,025+77%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,966	2,132+8%

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2400S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i7-4600M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2400S versus DDR3L 1600 MHz on the Core i7-4600M — the Core i7-4600M supports 20% 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. Both provide 16 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: H61,H67,P67,Z68,B75,Z77 (Core i5-2400S) and Intel HM86,Intel HM87,Intel QM87 (Core i7-4600M).

Feature	Core i5-2400S	Core i7-4600M
Socket	LGA1155	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3L 1600 MHz+20%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	16	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-2400S) vs true (Core i7-4600M). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics 2000 (Core i5-2400S) and Intel HD Graphics 4600 (Core i7-4600M) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i7-4600M targets Mobile.