Intel Core i5-2390T

Intel Core i5-2390T: A Review of an Outdated Processor for Niche Tasks in 2025
Sandy Bridge Architecture, 2 Cores / 4 Threads, TDP 35W — Is It Worth Considering Today?
1. Key Specifications: Sandy Bridge in Miniature
The Intel Core i5-2390T, released in 2011, belongs to the Sandy Bridge architecture era (2nd generation Core). It was Intel's first mass-market platform with an integrated graphics core (Intel HD Graphics 2000) on the chip.
- Manufacturing Process: 32 nm. By comparison, modern processors (2025) use 5–7 nm.
- Cores and Threads: 2 Cores / 4 Threads. Base frequency — 2.7 GHz, Turbo Boost — up to 3.5 GHz.
- Graphics: Intel HD 2000 with a frequency of 650–1100 MHz. Supports DirectX 10.1 and 4K output via DisplayPort (but not HDMI).
- Key Features: Turbo Boost 2.0, Hyper-Threading, VT-x virtualization.
Performance:
- In Geekbench 6 (2025): Single-Core — 563, Multi-Core — 1108. For comparison, the budget Intel Core i3-14100 (2024) scores 1800/5500.
- In real-world tasks:
- Web browsing, office applications — acceptable.
- 4K video on YouTube — lagging due to lack of hardware decoding for VP9/AV1.
- Gaming: only older titles (e.g., CS:GO on low settings — 30–40 FPS).
2. Compatible Motherboards: Hunting for Rare Finds
The processor socket is LGA 1155, supported by chipsets:
- H61, B65, H67, Q67, Z68.
2025 Selection Features:
- New Boards: Virtually no longer produced. A few units on Amazon/Aliexpress cost $120–200 (e.g., ASUS P8H61-M LE).
- Used Market: Boards in good condition — $30–60. But there’s a risk of buying a device with swollen capacitors.
- Compatibility: BIOS updates can be problematic — many boards do not support Ivy Bridge CPUs.
Tip: If building a system from scratch, it’s cheaper to buy a complete PC with an i5-2390T on eBay for $50–100 than to search for a new motherboard.
3. Supported Memory: Only DDR3
The processor works with DDR3-1066/1333 MHz in dual-channel mode. The maximum volume is 32 GB (theoretically), but most motherboards are limited to 16 GB.
Issues in 2025:
- No support for DDR4/DDR5 — this is a "bottleneck" for performance.
- New DDR3 modules (16 GB) are expensive: $50–70 for a 2x8 GB kit.
Recommendation: Use an SSD instead of an HDD to compensate for slow memory.
4. Power Supply: Minimum Watts, Maximum Reliability
With a TDP of 35W, the processor is extremely energy-efficient.
- Power Supply Rating: Even for a system with a GT 1030 level graphics card, 300–400W is sufficient.
- Examples:
- Be Quiet! Pure Power 12 M 400W ($60) — quiet, with an 80 Plus Bronze certification.
- For systems without discrete graphics, a budget EVGA 450 BR ($45) will suffice.
Important: Don’t skimp on the PSU — older motherboards are sensitive to voltage fluctuations.
5. Pros and Cons: Who Is It Suitable for in 2025?
Pros:
- Low power consumption — ideal for NAS or media center.
- Supports virtualization — can be used for light server tasks.
- Inexpensive on the secondary market ($15–25 for the CPU).
Cons:
- Only 2 cores — multitasking is limited.
- Outdated graphics without support for modern codecs.
- No PCIe 3.0/4.0 — discrete GPUs will work in PCIe 2.0 x16 mode.
6. Use Cases: Where Is the i5-2390T Relevant?
- Office PC: Document work, Zoom, browsing — but no more than 5–10 tabs.
- Home Theater: Streaming video in 1080p via Plex. For 4K, an external player (e.g., NVIDIA Shield) is required.
- Retro Gaming: Running games from the 2000s (Half-Life 2, GTA: San Andreas).
- Server: Backup, VPN, Docker with light containers.
Real Example: A user built a file storage system on an i5-2390T + 4 HDDs. Consumption — 45W at idle.
7. Comparison with Competitors: In Light of Modern CPUs
- Intel Core i3-14100 (2024): 4 cores / 8 threads, DDR5, TDP 60W. Price — $120. Three times faster in multi-threaded tasks.
- AMD Ryzen 3 8300G (2025): 4 cores / 8 threads, Radeon 740M, AV1 support. Price — $130.
Conclusion: The i5-2390T falls behind even budget newcomers but wins in price on the secondary market.
8. Assembly Tips: How to Avoid Mistakes
- Cooler: Standard Intel or low-profile Noctua NH-L9i ($50) will work.
- Storage: Must be SSD (Kingston A400 480 GB — $35).
- Graphics Card: For gaming — GTX 1650 (no additional power required). However, in 2025, it’s better to choose an APU.
- OS: Linux (Lubuntu) or Windows 10 LTSC. Windows 11 is not officially supported.
9. Final Conclusion: Who Is the i5-2390T Suitable for in 2025?
This processor should only be considered for:
1. Enthusiasts building retro PCs.
2. Budget NAS/media centers where energy savings are crucial.
3. Office systems with minimal requirements.
Alternative: For $150–200, you can build a system on the Intel N100 (2023) with DDR5 support and HDMI 2.1 — it will be quieter, more compact, and four times more powerful.
Conclusion: The Intel Core i5-2390T is an example of a "survived" CPU that has found a second life in niche scenarios. However, for most users in 2025, it is no longer relevant.
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