Intel Core i3-7100 vs Intel Core i5-2400

The Intel Core i3-7100 (Kaby Lake S architecture) is designed for office and light multimedia applications.

Manufactured using a 14 nm process, it offers 2 cores with 4 threads, PCIe 3.0, 38 GB/s memory bandwidth, and 3 MB Level 3 Cache. Its integrated Intel HD Graphics 630 is more powerful. The Intel Core i5-2400 (Sandy Bridge S architecture) for general productivity uses a 32 nm process, has 4 physical cores with 4 threads, PCIe 2.0, and 21 GB/s memory bandwidth with 6 MB Level 3 Cache.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics 2000 is simpler. In single-core performance, the Intel Core i3-7100 offers better performance in modern applications thanks to its newer architecture and higher IPC. For multi-core tasks, it surpasses the Intel Core i5-2400 in Geekbench 6 due to a more efficient architecture and Hyper-Threading.

The Intel Core i3-7100 is also more energy-efficient and generates less heat. For gaming, the Intel Core i3-7100 is the superior choice due to its modern architecture, higher IPC, and PCIe 3.0 support. The price-performance ratio of both is relevant for budget-oriented upgrades, with the Intel Core i3-7100 offering a more current platform base.

In summary, the Intel Core i3-7100 provides a more modern architecture, higher efficiency, and better integrated graphics. The Intel Core i5-2400 offers more physical cores on older technology. For a more responsive user experience and improved overall performance, the Intel Core i3-7100 is the preferred choice.

The Intel Core i5-2400 can be considered for basic multitasking tasks in existing systems.