Intel Core i3-2100 vs Intel Core i5-2400S: comparison

Comparison of Intel Core i3-2100 and Intel Core i5-2400S: key differences and a full specification table.

Key differences

Intel Core i3-2100 has a higher base clock (3.1 GHz vs 2.5 GHz).

At the same time, Intel Core i5-2400S has more cores (4 vs 2) and a larger L3 cache (6 MB vs 3 MB).

Both processors match on: thread count (4), TDP (65 W), process node (32 nm), maximum memory size (32 GB), memory channels (2), PCIe version (2), maximum integrated graphics clock (1.1 GHz).

These are specification values: they show differences between the models but do not determine a performance winner. For a specific workload, rely on independent benchmarks.

Key specifications

ParameterIntel Core i3-2100Intel Core i5-2400S
Cores / threads 2 / 4 4 / 4
Max boost clock — 3.3 GHz
L3 cache 3 MB 6 MB
TDP 65 W 65 W
Process 32 nm 32 nm
Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 2000 Intel HD Graphics 2000

Full specification table

Differing values are highlighted. This is not a better/worse rating: numbers from different architectures are not always comparable.

Parameter Intel Core i3-2100 Intel Core i5-2400S
General
Model i3-2100 i5-2400S
Codename Sandy Bridge Sandy Bridge
Segment Desktop Desktop
Product line Legacy Intel Core Processors Legacy Intel Core Processors
Process 32 nm 32 nm
Launch date Q1 2011 Q1 2011
Status Discontinued Discontinued
Expected discontinuance Q3 2013 Q1 2013
Servicing status End of Servicing Lifetime End of Servicing Lifetime
End of servicing updates 12/31/2019 12/31/2019
Embedded options available No No
CPU
Cores 2 4
Threads 4 4
Multithreading (SMT/HT) Yes No
Base clock 3.1 GHz 2.5 GHz
Max boost clock — 3.3 GHz
Turbo Boost 2.0 frequency — 3.3 GHz
L3 cache 3 MB 6 MB
Bus speed 5 GT/s 5 GT/s
TDP 65 W 65 W
Turbo Boost No Yes (2)
64-bit support Yes Yes
Instruction set width 64 bit 64 bit
Instruction set extensions SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX
Memory
Max memory size 32 GB 32 GB
Memory types DDR3 DDR3
Memory channels 2 2
Max memory bandwidth 21 GB/s 21 GB/s
ECC memory supported — No
Graphics
Integrated graphics Intel HD Graphics 2000 Intel HD Graphics 2000
Has integrated graphics Yes Yes
Graphics base frequency 850 MHz 850 MHz
Graphics max frequency 1.1 GHz 1.1 GHz
Max displays 2 2
Graphics device ID 0x102 0x102
Quick Sync Video Yes Yes
InTru 3D Yes Yes
Flexible Display Interface Yes Yes
I/O and interfaces
PCI Express revision 2 2
PCI Express lanes 16 16
Package and thermal
Sockets supported FCLGA1155 LGA1155
Max CPU configuration 1 1
Package size 37.5mm x 37.5mm 37.5mm x 37.5mm
TCASE 69.1 °C 69.1 °C
Security and virtualization
Virtualization (VT-x / AMD-V) Yes Yes
Virtualization for Directed I/O (VT-d) No Yes
Extended Page Tables (EPT) Yes Yes
AES-NI No Yes
Execute Disable Bit Yes Yes
vPro Eligibility — Intel vPro Platform
Technologies
Enhanced SpeedStep Yes Yes
Idle States Yes Yes
Thermal Monitoring Technologies Yes Yes
Identity Protection Technology Yes Yes
Flex Memory Access Yes Yes
Fast Memory Access Yes Yes

Other comparisons