AMD Ryzen 3 5300U vs Intel Core i5-9400T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-9400T and AMD Ryzen 3 5300U are surprisingly close in overall average benchmark score, with the Intel part edging ahead by a single point (2136 vs 2135). However, this statistical tie masks a dramatic divergence in workload-specific performance, stemming from fundamentally different design philosophies: a six-core, 35W desktop chip from 2018 versus a four-core, 15W mobile part from 2021.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher overall average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400T has a marginal lead with an average benchmark score of 2136, compared to the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U’s 2135. The delta between them is 0%, making them effectively tied in aggregate performance.

Q: How do the two chips compare in multi-threaded rendering workloads?

A: Results are contradictory across test versions. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U wins with a score of 906 versus 695 for Intel, a 23.3% advantage. However, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-9400T wins decisively with 6896 points versus 5341, a 29.1% lead for Intel.

Q: Which processor has the better single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U wins every single-core test in the data. It leads by 42.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core (170 vs 97), by 12.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1115 vs 973), and by 7.4% in Geekbench single-core (1244 vs 1152).

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-9400T has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The AMD chip uses simultaneous multithreading to reach 8 threads, while the Intel chip does not.

Q: Which processor uses a smaller manufacturing process node?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U is built on TSMC’s 7 nm process and contains 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-9400T uses Intel’s 14 nm process; transistor count and die size are not listed for the Intel part.

Q: How does the memory bandwidth compare between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U has a higher theoretical memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s, while the Intel Core i5-9400T is rated at 42.7 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors spans nearly three years of silicon evolution. The Intel Core i5-9400T is a desktop part from the Coffee Lake generation, built on Intel’s 14 nm process. It features six physical cores without hyper-threading, yielding six threads total. Its cache hierarchy includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 9 MB L3 cache. The chip uses the Intel Socket 1151 platform and is rated for a 35W TDP.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U, in contrast, is a mobile processor from the 5000 series based on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Lucienne. It is fabricated by TSMC on a 7 nm process, with 9,800 million transistors packed into a 156 mm² die. Despite having only four cores, it supports simultaneous multithreading, bringing the thread count to eight. Its cache arrangement differs notably: 64 KB of L1 per core, a larger 512 KB of L2 per core, but a smaller shared L3 pool of 4 MB. The AMD chip is built for the FP6 socket and carries a much lower 15W TDP.

The process node difference is stark: 14 nm for Intel versus 7 nm for AMD. This explains the transistor density advantage for AMD, even though the Intel die size is not listed. The memory bandwidth figures also reflect the newer design, with AMD rated at 51.2 GB/s versus Intel’s 42.7 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory and dual-channel operation, and neither enables ECC memory. The PCIe configurations differ as well, with Intel offering Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and AMD providing Gen 3 with 12 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics also diverge: Intel pairs the CPU with UHD 630, while AMD uses Radeon Graphics with 384 shader processors.

The production status highlights the generational divide: the Intel Core i5-9400T is marked as end-of-life, having been released on 2018-08-31, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U remains active, with a release date of 2021-01-11. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results present a confusing picture at first glance, but the pattern becomes clear when separating tests by generation. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U wins five of the six head-to-head comparisons, yet the Intel chip claims the single most dramatic victory.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, AMD wins with 906 points against Intel’s 695, a 23.3% margin. This is a substantial lead, but it is dwarfed by the Cinebench R15 single-core result, where AMD scores 170 versus Intel’s 97 — a 42.9% blowout. The single-core dominance continues in newer tests, though the margins shrink: AMD leads by 12.7% in Cinebench R23 single-core (1115 vs 973) and by 7.4% in Geekbench single-core (1244 vs 1152).

The multi-core story is more complex. In Geekbench multi-core, AMD wins narrowly with 4035 points versus 3969 for Intel, a 1.6% margin. However, the Cinebench R23 multi-core test flips the script entirely: Intel scores 6896 against AMD’s 5341, giving Intel a 29.1% advantage. This is the largest multi-core margin in either direction, and it is the sole win for Intel in the head-to-head set.

The average benchmark scores confirm the overall parity: Intel at 2136 and AMD at 2135, a 0% delta. The nearest rival data reinforces this picture, with the AMD Ryzen 5 7520C scoring 2127 (0.4% behind Intel) and the Intel Core i7-1160G7 scoring 2124 (0.6% behind Intel). The AMD Ryzen 3 3300X sits slightly ahead at 2148, 0.6% above Intel. The Intel Core i5-9400T places in the 47th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U sits in the 46th percentile.

The takeaway is that Cinebench R23 multi-core appears to favor the Intel chip’s six physical cores heavily, while the AMD chip’s higher clock speeds and SMT give it the edge in single-threaded and older multi-threaded workloads.

The Verdict

The data points to two different processors for two different usage scenarios, despite the near-identical average benchmark scores. The AMD Ryzen 3 5300U is the clear choice for single-threaded performance and legacy multi-threaded workloads. Its 42.9% lead in Cinebench R15 single-core and 12.7% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core make it superior for applications that rely on low thread counts. Its 8 threads and higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus 3.40 GHz for Intel also explain its wins in Geekbench multi-core and Cinebench R15 multi-core.

The Intel Core i5-9400T, however, dominates in the modern Cinebench R23 multi-core test, scoring 29.1% higher. This suggests that for heavily threaded rendering workloads that scale with physical cores, the six-core Intel design holds a significant advantage. The 35W TDP, while higher than AMD’s 15W, reflects the desktop-oriented design of the Intel part.

For mobile users, the AMD Ryzen 3 5300U is the logical choice: it is an active, current product with a lower TDP, higher memory bandwidth, and superior single-core scores. For desktop users running Cinebench R23-type workloads, the Intel Core i5-9400T offers better multi-core throughput, though it is end-of-life. The 47th percentile placement for Intel and 46th for AMD confirm that neither chip is a top-tier performer in the broader CPU landscape, but each has a distinct niche.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-9400T | AMD Ryzen 3 5300U |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 6 | 4 |

| Threads | 6 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 1800.00 MHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 15W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen 2 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 156 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 9 MB (shared) | 4 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3, 12 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD 630 | Radeon Graphics 384SP |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2018-08-31 | 2021-01-11 |

| Part Number | SR3X8 | 100-000000376 |