Core i5-2400S vs FX-4350

CPU

GPU

Core i5-2400S

4 Cores4 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2011

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FX-4350

4 Cores4 Thrd125 WWMax: 4.3 GHz2013

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Core i5-2400S vs FX-4350 Performance Spectrum

Core i5-2400S

4 / 4

3,187

+0.1%

3,184

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

About PassMark

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 FX-4350 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 FX-4350: 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

✅+52.5% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Draws 65W instead of 125W, a 60W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with Intel HD Graphics 2000, while FX-4350 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than FX-4350 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 23.6 vs 26.1 PassMark/$ ($135 MSRP vs $122 MSRP).

FX-4350

2013

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $13 less on MSRP ($122 MSRP vs $135 MSRP).
✅Delivers 10.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 26.1 vs 23.6 PassMark/$ ($122 MSRP vs $135 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,289 vs 1,966).
❌92.3% higher power demand at 125W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2400S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is FX-4350 better than Core i5-2400S?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, FX-4350 is ahead with a 9.4% 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 52.5% better Geekbench multi-core.

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 52.5% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 4 cores and 4 threads.

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

FX-4350 is the better buy right now. FX-4350 comes in $13 cheaper on MSRP at $122 MSRP versus $135 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-2400S is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 52.5% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 10.6% better value on MSRP (26.1 vs 23.6 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

FX-4350 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 FX-4350 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.

FX-4350

The FX-4350 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 April 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Vishera (2012−2015) architecture. It features 4 cores and 4 threads. Base frequency is 4.2 GHz, with boost up to 4.3 GHz. L2 cache: 4096 kB. Built on 32 nm process technology. Socket: AM3+. Thermal design power (TDP): 125 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,184 points. Launch price was $69.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i5-2400S and FX-4350 share an identical 4-core/4-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.3 GHz on the Core i5-2400S versus 4.3 GHz on the FX-4350 — a 26.3% clock advantage for the FX-4350 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 4.2 GHz). The Core i5-2400S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the FX-4350 uses Vishera (2012−2015) (32 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2400S scores 3,187 against the FX-4350's 3,184 — a 0.1% lead for the Core i5-2400S. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 578 vs 504, a 13.7% lead for the Core i5-2400S that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,966 vs 1,289 (41.6% advantage for the Core i5-2400S).

Feature	Core i5-2400S	FX-4350
Cores / Threads	4 / 4	4 / 4
Boost Clock	3.3 GHz	4.3 GHz+30%
Base Clock	2.5 GHz	4.2 GHz+68%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)	—
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	4096 kB+1500%
Process	32 nm	32 nm
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Vishera (2012−2015)
PassMark	3,187	3,184
Cinebench R23 Multi	1,965	—
Geekbench 6 Single	578+15%	504
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,966+53%	1,289

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2400S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the FX-4350 uses AM3+ (PCIe 2.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR3-1333 on the Core i5-2400S versus DDR3-1866 on the FX-4350 — the FX-4350 supports 40% 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 AMD 970,990X,990FX (FX-4350).

Feature	Core i5-2400S	FX-4350
Socket	LGA1155	AM3+
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 2.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	DDR3-1866+40%
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	32 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16	16

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: Yes (Core i5-2400S) vs AMD-V (FX-4350). The Core i5-2400S includes integrated graphics (Intel HD Graphics 2000), while the FX-4350 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: FX-4350 targets Gaming.

Feature	Core i5-2400S	FX-4350
Integrated GPU	Yes	No
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics 2000	—
Unlocked	—	Yes
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	Yes	AMD-V
Target Use	—	Gaming

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-2400S was priced at $135, while the FX-4350 came in at $122. On launch pricing ($135 vs $122), FX-4350 was $13 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-2400S delivers 23.6 pts/$ vs 26.1 pts/$ for the FX-4350 — making the FX-4350 the 10% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-2400S	FX-4350
MSRP	$135	$122-10%
Performance per Dollar	23.6	26.1+11%
Release Date	2011	2013

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