14 DAY TRIAL // While the 2600 and 2500 series of CPUs are no doubt the strongest and most overclockable of the CPUs that Intel has unleashed, the more accessible and likeliest to sell best are still the mainstream parts, the so-called Core i5-2400 and 2300 series.
While enthusiasts are distracted by the aura of excellence emitted by the Core i7-2600 and Core i5-2500 processors, regular users are looking to Intel's other desktop chips.
That said, the Core i5-2400 and Core i5-2300 central processing units are definitely not in the same league as their aforementioned siblings.
What this means is that they are less formidable in all respects, except perhaps the cache memory (6 MB, like the 2500 series).
The Core i5-2400 is a quad-core chip with four threads and whose base operating clock speed is of 3.1 GHz.
It can go as high as 3.4 GHz via Turbo Boost alone and higher in the hands of competent overclockers, thanks to the multiplier of 38x. It also has a TDP (thermal design power) of 95W.
The second mainstream chip, the Core i5-2300, is partially similar to its sibling, having a cache memory of 6 MB, the same TDP of 95W and four cores of its own.
It is the decreased frequency of those cores, along with the lower multiplier, that allows it to strike an even more affordable price point than the 2400.
To be more specific, its base clock frequency of 2.8 GHz, while the Turbo Boost dynamic overclocking technology can push it to 3.1 GHz. Finally, its multiplier is of 34x.
Both processors feature the Intel GMA HD 2000 integrated graphics, with maximum turbo frequency of 1,100 MHz.
The Intel Core i5-2400 quad-core Sandy Bridge mainstream central processing unit will reportedly sell for about $184 once it finally gets listed.
As for the Core i3-2300, it will be possible to acquire in exchange for the sum of $177.
All in all, they should prove quite the affordable components for those overclockers that cannot afford the higher-end models.