AMD Ryzen 3 3200G vs Intel Core i5-7400 Comparison

The benchmark data clearly favors the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G, which secures 15 wins out of 19 head-to-head tests against the Intel Core i5-7400's 4 wins. The Ryzen 3 3200G demonstrates a commanding lead in multi-threaded workloads and modern rendering tasks, while the i5-7400 retains advantages in specific legacy and instruction-focused tests. This analysis breaks down where each processor excels, the architectural reasons behind the performance gaps, and which use cases favor each chip.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Ryzen 3 3200G dominates the Cinebench suite with consistent margins. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 600 versus 469, a 21.8% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows 84 versus 66, a 21.4% lead. These margins carry into newer tests: Cinebench R20 multicore shows 2501 versus 1956 (21.8% ahead), and Cinebench R23 multicore shows 5955 versus 4658 (21.8% ahead). The single-core versions follow suit, with R20 at 352 versus 275 (21.9% ahead) and R23 at 840 versus 657 (21.8% ahead).

Geekbench splits the two chips. The Ryzen 3 3200G wins the multicore test narrowly, 2833 versus 2740, a 3.3% margin. The Intel Core i5-7400 wins single-core Geekbench decisively, scoring 1043 against 884, an 18% advantage. This indicates the i5-7400 has a stronger single-threaded architecture in that specific workload, despite losing other single-thread tests.

Passmark results show a mixed bag. The Ryzen 3 3200G wins integer math by a wide margin, 20141 versus 14293, a 29% lead. Data encryption is its biggest win: 4475 versus 1611, a massive 64% advantage. Data compression goes to Ryzen at 85374 versus 76268 (10.7% ahead), floating point math at 13059 versus 12042 (7.8% ahead), multithread at 7007 versus 5475 (21.9% ahead), and random string sorting at 10432 versus 9301 (10.8% ahead). Passmark single-thread also favors Ryzen, 2185 versus 2074, a 5.1% edge.

The Intel Core i5-7400 takes four wins. Its largest is extended instructions, 6452 versus 4679, a 37.9% advantage. It also wins find prime numbers, 27 versus 23 (17.4% ahead), and physics, 438 versus 397 (10.3% ahead). The Geekbench single-core win rounds out its victories.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different manufacturing nodes and architectural generations. The Intel Core i5-7400 uses Intel's 14 nm process, built on the Kaby Lake architecture with a codename of Kaby Lake. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G uses GlobalFoundries' 12 nm process, built on the Zen+ architecture with the Picasso codename. This node advantage gives AMD a smaller transistor footprint, with the Ryzen 3 3200G containing 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the i5-7400 has no listed transistor or die size data.

Both chips have 4 cores and 4 threads, but cache configurations differ. The i5-7400 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core, with 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 3 3200G has larger per-core caches: 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, but a smaller 4 MB shared L3 cache. This larger L1 and L2 cache helps the Ryzen 3 3200G in repetitive workloads, while the i5-7400's larger L3 cache may assist in data-heavy tasks.

Clock speeds favor AMD. The Ryzen 3 3200G runs at a 3.60 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.00 GHz. The i5-7400 has a 3.00 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. Both have a 65 W TDP.

Memory support is identical in type: both use DDR4 in dual-channel configuration. The i5-7400 lists a memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, while the Ryzen 3 3200G has no listed bandwidth figure. Neither supports ECC memory.

PCIe support differs slightly. The i5-7400 offers PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Ryzen 3 3200G also offers PCIe Gen 3, but the lane count is not specified in the database.

Integrated graphics differ significantly. The i5-7400 uses Intel HD 630, while the Ryzen 3 3200G uses Radeon Vega 8. The database does not include comparative graphics benchmarks, but the Vega 8 is a more capable integrated solution based on its naming and architecture.

The Ryzen 3 3200G has an unlocked multiplier, allowing overclocking, while the i5-7400 is locked. Sockets differ as well: the i5-7400 uses Intel Socket 1151, and the Ryzen 3 3200G uses AMD Socket AM4. Release dates show the i5-7400 launched in January 2017, while the Ryzen 3 3200G launched in July 2019.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 3 3200G is the clear winner for modern multi-threaded workloads. Its Cinebench R23 multicore score of 5955 versus 4658 shows a 21.8% advantage in rendering tasks, making it the better choice for video encoding, 3D rendering, and content creation that scales across cores. The 29% lead in Passmark integer math (20141 versus 14293) indicates stronger general arithmetic performance, useful in productivity software and compilation tasks. The 64% lead in data encryption (4475 versus 1611) makes it the better option for disk encryption, secure communications, and cryptographic workloads. Data compression also favors AMD by 10.7%, helping with file archiving tools.

The Intel Core i5-7400 wins in specific instruction-heavy scenarios. Its 37.9% lead in Passmark extended instructions (6452 versus 4679) shows a more capable SIMD or specialized instruction set implementation, which could benefit legacy software or certain scientific applications. The 17.4% lead in find prime numbers (27 versus 23) points to better performance in single-threaded integer loops. The 10.3% lead in physics (438 versus 397) suggests better performance in physics simulation workloads, possibly from the larger shared L3 cache. The Geekbench single-core win (1043 versus 884, an 18% margin) indicates the i5-7400 has superior single-threaded performance in specific memory-latency-sensitive tasks.

For everyday general use, the Ryzen 3 3200G wins the Passmark single-thread test (2185 versus 2074, a 5.1% edge) and the multithread test (7007 versus 5475, a 21.9% edge). This makes it the more versatile daily driver for most users.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in several key specifications. Clock speeds: the Ryzen 3 3200G has a 3.60 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost, while the i5-7400 has a 3.00 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost. Process node: AMD uses 12 nm from GlobalFoundries, Intel uses 14 nm from Intel's own foundry. Cache layout: the Ryzen 3 3200G has 96 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core with 4 MB shared L3, while the i5-7400 has 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core with 6 MB shared L3. Transistors and die size: the Ryzen 3 3200G lists 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, the i5-7400 lists neither. Memory bandwidth: the i5-7400 shows 38.4 GB/s, the Ryzen 3 3200G shows no figure. PCIe lanes: the i5-7400 specifies Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, the Ryzen 3 3200G specifies Gen 3 only. Integrated graphics: HD 630 versus Radeon Vega 8. Multiplier: the Ryzen 3 3200G is unlocked, the i5-7400 is locked. Socket: Intel Socket 1151 versus AMD Socket AM4. Release date: January 2017 versus July 2019.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G runs at a 3.60 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.00 GHz, while the Intel Core i5-7400 operates at a 3.00 GHz base and a 3.50 GHz boost.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Ryzen 3 3200G scores 5955, which is 21.8% ahead of the i5-7400's 4658.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-7400 win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins 4 tests: Geekbench single-core (1043 versus 884, an 18% lead), Passmark extended instructions (6452 versus 4679, a 37.9% lead), Passmark find prime numbers (27 versus 23, a 17.4% lead), and Passmark physics (438 versus 397, a 10.3% lead).

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in Passmark data encryption, where the Ryzen 3 3200G scores 4475 against the i5-7400's 1611, a 64% advantage. The largest Intel win is Passmark extended instructions at 37.9%.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 3 3200G has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i5-7400 does not.

Q: Which processor has more cache?

A: The Ryzen 3 3200G has more L1 and L2 cache per core (96 KB and 512 KB respectively) compared to the i5-7400's 64 KB and 256 KB. The i5-7400 has more shared L3 cache at 6 MB versus the Ryzen's 4 MB.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen 3 3200G as the superior processor for most users. It wins 15 of 19 head-to-head tests, with particularly strong showings in modern rendering workloads like Cinebench R23 where it leads by 21.8%, and in integer math where it leads by 29%. Its 64% advantage in data encryption makes it the better choice for security-conscious workloads. The unlocked multiplier adds flexibility for enthusiasts, and its later release date brings a more modern 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries.

The Intel Core i5-7400 remains relevant for specific use cases. Its 37.9% lead in extended instructions suggests better support for certain specialized instruction sets. The 18% Geekbench single-core win and 10.3% physics win point to strengths in memory-latency-sensitive single-threaded tasks. Its larger 6 MB L3 cache may help in workloads that benefit from more shared cache, though the database does not include direct cache benchmarks.

For a general-purpose desktop processor handling everyday tasks, productivity software, content creation, and security workloads, the Ryzen 3 3200G is the data-backed choice. For users running legacy software that relies on extended instructions or physics simulations that match the i5-7400's profile, the Intel chip remains valid. Both processors hold a 63rd percentile ranking among all CPUs, but the Ryzen 3 3200G achieves this with an average benchmark score of 6931, while the i5-7400 averages 7469. The higher average score for Intel reflects its wins in heavier single-threaded tasks, yet the breadth of AMD's victory in head-to-head tests makes it the more consistent performer across diverse workloads.