AMD Ryzen 3 2300X vs Intel Core i5-8400T Comparison

The Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X and Intel Core i5-8400T are close competitors in the database, with the Intel part holding a slim overall edge. The Ryzen 3 2300X records an average benchmark score of 1968, while the Core i5-8400T averages 2001, a difference of about 1.7%. Both sit near the 44th and 45th percentiles of all CPUs respectively, meaning either chip lands in the lower middle of the performance distribution.

The head-to-head data is decisive in one direction: the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X wins seven of the eight benchmark comparisons. It leads in every Cinebench test, with multicore margins of 2.5% in R15, 2.6% in R20, and 2.6% in R23. Single-core Cinebench results also favor AMD by 2.2% to 2.6%. The only Intel victory comes in Geekbench multicore, where the Core i5-8400T scores 4011 against 3351, a commanding 16.5% advantage. That single result is enough to push Intel's average score higher, despite losing most tests.

For buyers, the choice depends on workload. The Ryzen 3 2300X is the stronger pick for Cinebench-style rendering tasks and single-threaded Geekbench work, where it posts a 10.5% lead in single-core score. The Core i5-8400T is the better option for Geekbench multicore workloads, where its six cores and six threads deliver a substantial edge over the four-core, four-thread AMD part. The Intel chip also carries integrated graphics, UHD Graphics 630, which the AMD processor lacks entirely.

The Intel Core i5-8400T has a launch MSRP of $182. Its production status is end-of-life, while the Ryzen 3 2300X remains active. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, making it the only one of the two that supports overclocking. If the workload is general productivity with multicore Geekbench tasks, the Intel chip wins. If the workload is Cinebench rendering or single-threaded performance, the AMD chip is the answer.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400T has an average benchmark score of 2001, compared to 1968 for the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X. The Intel part also sits at the 45th percentile of all CPUs, one point higher than AMD's 44th percentile.

Q: How many benchmarks does each CPU win in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X wins 7 out of 8 head-to-head benchmarks. The Intel Core i5-8400T wins only 1, which is the Geekbench multicore test.

Q: What is the largest performance margin in either direction?

A: The largest margin is Intel's Geekbench multicore win, where the Core i5-8400T scores 4011 against the Ryzen 3 2300X's 3351, a difference of 16.5%. The largest AMD win is 10.5% in Geekbench single-core, with scores of 1216 and 1100.

Q: Does either CPU include integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i5-8400T includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 630. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has no integrated graphics listed in the database.

Q: Which CPU supports overclocking?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has an unlocked multiplier, meaning it supports overclocking. The Intel Core i5-8400T does not, as its multiplier is locked.

Q: What are the production statuses of these two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X is listed as active production. The Intel Core i5-8400T is listed as end-of-life.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design families. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X uses the Zen architecture, specifically the Zen+ (Pinnacle Ridge) generation, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. The Intel Core i5-8400T uses the Coffee Lake architecture on Intel's 14 nm process. These process differences play into the transistor counts and die sizes: the AMD chip packs 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die, while the Intel chip has no transistor count listed but uses a smaller 154 mm² die.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has 4 cores and 4 threads, while the Intel Core i5-8400T has 6 cores and 6 threads. This extra core count is likely the reason for Intel's strong Geekbench multicore showing. Cache layouts also diverge. The AMD part allocates 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part uses 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, but its shared L3 cache is 9 MB, more than double the AMD chip's allocation.

Clock speeds tell a different story. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X has a base clock of 3.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel Core i5-8400T has a base clock of 1700.00 MHz (which is 1.70 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. The AMD part's higher raw clocks, especially the 4.00 GHz boost, help explain its Cinebench and single-core advantages despite fewer cores.

Both CPUs support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, but memory bandwidth differs: the AMD chip lists 46.9 GB/s, while the Intel chip lists 42.7 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The sockets differ as expected: AMD Socket AM4 for the Ryzen 3 2300X, Intel Socket 1151 for the Core i5-8400T.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ across nearly every specification field. The AMD Ryzen 3 2300X is a 4-core, 4-thread processor with a base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The Intel Core i5-8400T is a 6-core, 6-thread processor with a base clock of 1700.00 MHz (1.70 GHz) and a boost clock of 3.30 GHz. TDP differs substantially: the AMD chip draws 65 watts, while the Intel chip is rated at just 35 watts.

The process node favors AMD at 12 nm versus Intel's 14 nm. Die size favors Intel at 154 mm² versus AMD's 213 mm². Transistor count is listed only for AMD at 4,800 million. Cache hierarchies differ at every level: AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3; Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 9 MB shared L3.

Memory bandwidth favors AMD at 46.9 GB/s versus Intel's 42.7 GB/s. Integrated graphics exist only on the Intel chip, which uses UHD Graphics 630. The AMD chip has no integrated graphics listed. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. The Intel Core i5-8400T has a launch MSRP of $182; the AMD part has no launch MSRP listed.

Production status differs: AMD is active, Intel is end-of-life. Release dates also differ, with the Intel chip released on 2018-04-01 and the AMD chip released on 2018-09-09. The Intel part has a part number of SR3X6, while the AMD part lists YD230XBBM4KAFYD230XBBAFMPK.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clear pattern: AMD wins nearly everything, but Intel's one big win is very large.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X scores 649 against Intel's 633, a 2.5% lead. The single-core R15 test shows AMD at 91 against Intel's 89, a 2.2% margin. Cinebench R20 multicore repeats the pattern: AMD scores 2706, Intel scores 2638, a 2.6% difference. Single-core R20 gives AMD 381 versus Intel's 372, another 2.4% lead. Cinebench R23 multicore has AMD at 6443 and Intel at 6282, a 2.6% gap. Single-core R23 shows AMD at 909 and Intel at 886, again 2.6%. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X holds a consistent edge between 2.2% and 2.6%, regardless of core count or workload intensity.

Geekbench results tell a mixed story. In Geekbench multicore, the Intel Core i5-8400T dominates with a score of 4011 against AMD's 3351, a 16.5% swing. This is the largest margin in any test and reflects the Intel chip's two extra physical cores. However, in Geekbench single-core, the AMD Ryzen 3 2300X wins decisively with 1216 against Intel's 1100, a 10.5% advantage. That single-core result is the second-largest margin in the entire comparison.

The data reveals a workload-dependent picture. The AMD chip's higher clock speeds (4.00 GHz boost versus 3.30 GHz) and higher memory bandwidth (46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s) give it the edge in latency-sensitive and lightly threaded tasks. The Intel chip's six cores and six threads, despite lower clocks, provide a substantial multicore advantage in Geekbench, though this advantage does not translate to Cinebench, where AMD wins all three multicore tests by roughly 2.5%.

The average benchmark scores reflect this split. Intel's average of 2001 is boosted by the large Geekbench multicore win, while AMD's average of 1968 is dragged down by that same 16.5% loss. In terms of wins, AMD takes 7 of 8 benchmarks, but the magnitude of Intel's single win is enough to keep its overall average higher. For users prioritizing Cinebench rendering or single-threaded performance, the Ryzen 3 2300X is the clear choice. For users prioritizing Geekbench multicore workloads, the Core i5-8400T offers a decisive advantage.