AMD Ryzen 3 5400U vs Intel Core i7-8700T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data is decisively lopsided in favor of the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U, which wins 7 of the 8 benchmark comparisons. The only test where the Intel Core i7-8700T takes the lead is Geekbench multicore, where it scores 5168 against the AMD's 4473, a 13.4% advantage. That is a substantial margin, and it suggests the Intel part handles certain heavily threaded workloads better than the Cinebench results would imply.

Every Cinebench test goes to the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD scores 942 versus 876 for the Intel, a 7.5% lead. The single-core R15 result is even closer in percentage terms: 132 against 123, a 7.3% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD wins multicore 3927 to 3653 (7.5%) and single-core 554 to 515 (7.6%). Cinebench R23 repeats the pattern, with the AMD at 9350 multicore versus 8698 (7.5%) and 1320 single-core versus 1228 (7.5%). The consistency of these deltas, all hovering near 7.5%, indicates a stable architectural advantage across the Cinebench suite rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Geekbench single-core also favors the AMD, but by a smaller margin: 1419 versus 1343, a 5.7% difference. This reinforces the picture of the Ryzen 3 5400U as the stronger per-thread performer in most tests, while the Intel chip's extra cores and threads (6 cores, 12 threads versus 4 cores, 8 threads) show up in the Geekbench multicore result alone.

The average benchmark scores in the database place the AMD at 2765 and the Intel at 2701. Both CPUs sit at the 50th percentile among all recorded processors, meaning they occupy the same overall performance tier despite their different strengths. The AMD's nearest rivals in the database include the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350GE at 2767 (0.1% higher), the Intel Xeon D-1567 at 2770 (0.2% higher), the AMD Ryzen 3 4300GE at 2759 (0.2% lower), and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G at 2774 (0.3% higher). The Intel's nearest rivals are the Intel Core i7-1185G7E at 2703 (0.1% higher), the Intel Xeon E5-2640 v3 at 2703 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i5-1345UE at 2698 (0.1% lower), and the Intel Xeon E-2226G at 2709 (0.3% higher). In short, both chips are closely clustered with their peers, but the AMD sits slightly higher in the aggregate.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U scores 9350 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the Intel Core i7-8700T scores 8698. The AMD leads by 7.5%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-8700T win any benchmark?

A: Yes. The Intel wins Geekbench multicore with a score of 5168 against the AMD's 4473, a 13.4% advantage. This is the only head-to-head test the Intel wins out of the eight recorded.

Q: How do their single-core scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U wins every recorded single-core test. In Cinebench R15 it scores 132 versus 123, in R20 it scores 554 versus 515, in R23 it scores 1320 versus 1228, and in Geekbench single-core it scores 1419 versus 1343.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Intel Core i7-8700T has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which processor has the higher thermal design power?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700T has a TDP of 35 watts. The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of each processor?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U supports dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Intel Core i7-8700T also supports dual-channel DDR4, but its memory bandwidth is 42.7 GB/s.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different design philosophies and manufacturing generations. The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U is built on Zen 3 architecture with the codename Cezanne-U, produced on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i7-8700T uses Coffee Lake architecture, produced on Intel's 14 nm process. The node difference is significant: the AMD part uses a smaller process, which contributes to its much lower 15 watt TDP versus the Intel's 35 watt TDP.

The AMD chip integrates 10,700 million transistors on a die size of 180 mm². The Intel die is smaller at 154 mm², but the database does not list a transistor count for the Intel part. Cache configurations differ notably. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core. The AMD has 512 KB of L2 cache per core, while the Intel has 256 KB per core. For L3, the AMD has 8 MB shared, while the Intel has 12 MB shared. The Intel's larger shared L3 cache may help in some multi-threaded scenarios, though the benchmark data shows only one such win.

The integrated graphics also differ. The AMD uses Radeon Vega 6 graphics, while the Intel uses UHD Graphics 630. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, so overclocking is not an option on either platform. The AMD is marked as Active in production status, while the Intel is End-of-life. The release dates are also far apart: the AMD launched in January 2021, while the Intel launched in April 2018.

The AMD uses AMD Socket FP6, the Intel uses Intel Socket 1151. The Intel supports 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU, while the AMD supports only 8 Gen 3 lanes. Neither supports ECC memory, and both use dual-channel DDR4. The AMD's higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s) reflects its newer memory controller design.

Specification Differences

The core specifications that differ between the two processors are clear. The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i7-8700T has 6 cores and 12 threads. The base clock differs: the AMD runs at 2.60 GHz, the Intel at 2.40 GHz. Both boost to 4.00 GHz, so the AMD's lower core count is offset by a slightly higher base frequency and newer architecture.

The TDP gap is substantial: 15 watts for the AMD versus 35 watts for the Intel. The AMD's process node is 7 nm from TSMC, while the Intel uses 14 nm from Intel. The AMD has 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die, while the Intel's transistor count is not recorded and its die is 154 mm². The L2 cache differs (512 KB per core for AMD, 256 KB per core for Intel), and the L3 cache differs (8 MB shared for AMD, 12 MB shared for Intel). Memory bandwidth is higher on the AMD at 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. PCIe lane counts differ: 8 lanes for the AMD, 16 for the Intel. The integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 6 for the AMD and UHD Graphics 630 for the Intel. The AMD is a mobile processor on Socket FP6, while the Intel is a desktop processor on Socket 1151. The AMD is still in production, the Intel is end-of-life. The release dates are January 2021 for the AMD and April 2018 for the Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 3 5400U is the clear winner in the Cinebench suite, taking all six Cinebench tests by margins between 7.3% and 7.6%. It also wins Geekbench single-core by 5.7%. If the workload is dominated by single-threaded performance or by the specific rendering tasks that Cinebench models, the AMD is the stronger choice. Its 15 watt TDP also makes it suitable for thin-and-light mobile systems, where power draw and heat are primary constraints. The AMD's higher memory bandwidth and newer 7 nm process are additional advantages in efficiency-sensitive applications.

The Intel Core i7-8700T wins only the Geekbench multicore test, and it wins by a significant 13.4%. This suggests that in certain multi-threaded workloads, particularly those that scale with core count and cache capacity, the Intel's 6 cores, 12 threads, and 12 MB shared L3 cache can outperform the AMD's smaller 4-core, 8-thread design. The Intel also offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes versus 8 on the AMD, which matters for desktop systems with multiple expansion cards or NVMe drives. The Intel's desktop socket, Socket 1151, makes it a fit for existing desktop motherboards, whereas the AMD's FP6 socket is mobile-oriented.

The Verdict

The data points to a simple split. For most applications, especially those involving single-threaded performance or Cinebench-style rendering, the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U is the better processor. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, holds a 7.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore, and does so with a 15 watt TDP, which is less than half the Intel's 35 watt TDP. The AMD's higher memory bandwidth and newer process node reinforce its position as the more modern, efficient design.

The Intel Core i7-8700T is the pick only if the workload specifically benefits from its advantages: 6 cores, 12 threads, a larger 12 MB L3 cache, and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Geekbench multicore result, where the Intel leads by 13.4%, is evidence that such workloads exist. However, the Intel chip is end-of-life, launched in April 2018, while the AMD launched in January 2021 and remains active. For a new build, the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U offers better all-around performance in the recorded benchmarks and a dramatically lower TDP. For an existing desktop system on Socket 1151 that needs a low-power 35 watt part with six cores, the Intel remains a viable option, but the benchmark record shows it loses most head-to-head comparisons to the AMD part.