Core i5-2500S vs Core i5-4340M

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 i5-2500S vs Core i5-4340M 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 i5-2500S vs Core i5-4340M: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-2500S

2011

Why buy it

✅+100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 512W, a 447W reduction.
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with HD Graphics 2000, while Core i5-4340M needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Core i5-4340M.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (3,373 vs 3,380).
❌Launch MSRP is still $192 MSRP, while Core i5-4340M mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.

Core i5-4340M

2014

Why buy it

✅+0.2% higher PassMark.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (3 MB vs 6 MB).
❌687.7% higher power demand at 512W vs 65W.
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-2500S can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Core i5-2500S.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-2500S better than Core i5-4340M?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Core i5-2500S is ahead with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4340M pulls ahead with 0.2% better PassMark. Core i5-2500S also has the bigger cache pool with 100% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-4340M is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 4 threads.

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

Core i5-2500S is the better buy right now. Core i5-2500S comes in at an unclear MSRP at $192 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-4340M is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (17.6 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 i5-4340M makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2014 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 i5-2500S vs Core i5-4340M Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-2500S

The Core i5-2500S 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 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 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: 3,373 points. Launch price was $75.

Core i5-4340M

The Core i5-4340M is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 19 January 2014 (11 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: 3 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: PGA946. Thermal design power (TDP): 37 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 3,380 points. Launch price was $266.

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Processing Power

The Core i5-2500S packs 4 cores / 4 threads, while the Core i5-4340M offers 2 cores / 4 threads — the Core i5-2500S has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Core i5-2500S versus 3.6 GHz on the Core i5-4340M — a 2.7% clock advantage for the Core i5-2500S (base: 2.7 GHz vs 2.9 GHz). The Core i5-2500S uses the Sandy Bridge (2011−2013) architecture (32 nm), while the Core i5-4340M uses Haswell (2013−2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-2500S scores 3,373 against the Core i5-4340M's 3,380 — a 0.2% lead for the Core i5-4340M. L3 cache: 6144 kB (total) on the Core i5-2500S vs 3 MB on the Core i5-4340M.

Feature	Core i5-2500S	Core i5-4340M
Cores / Threads	4 / 4+100%	2 / 4
Boost Clock	3.7 GHz+3%	3.6 GHz
Base Clock	2.7 GHz	2.9 GHz+7%
L3 Cache	6144 kB (total)+100%	3 MB
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	32 nm	22 nm-31%
Architecture	Sandy Bridge (2011−2013)	Haswell (2013−2015)
PassMark	3,373	3,380
Geekbench 6 Single	600	—

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Memory & Platform

The Core i5-2500S uses the LGA1155 socket (PCIe 2.0), while the Core i5-4340M uses PGA946 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-2500S	Core i5-4340M
Socket	LGA1155	PGA946
PCIe Generation	PCIe 2.0	PCIe 3.0+50%
Max RAM Speed	DDR3-1333	—
Max RAM Capacity	32 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-2500S) / not specified (Core i5-4340M). The Core i5-2500S includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 2000), while the Core i5-4340M requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-2500S targets Legacy Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-2500S rivals Phenom II X4 980.