AMD Ryzen 5 1500X vs Intel Core i5-8400H Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the Intel Core i5-8400H and AMD Ryzen 5 1500X reveals a split picture that depends heavily on the workload and the benchmark generation. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X wins four of the six head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-8400H takes two victories, but the margin of those wins tells a more nuanced story.

In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X scores 805 against the Intel Core i5-8400H's 644, a 20% advantage for AMD. The single-core R15 result is even more lopsided: AMD's 154 score dwarfs Intel's 90, representing a 41.6% deficit for the Intel part. These are substantial gaps that suggest the Intel chip struggles in this particular benchmark iteration.

However, the picture flips dramatically in Cinebench R23 multicore. Here, the Intel Core i5-8400H scores 6392, versus 4597 for the Ryzen 5 1500X, giving Intel a 39% lead. This is the largest margin in either direction across all tests. The R23 single-core test is much closer, with AMD winning 947 to 902, a modest 4.8% edge.

Geekbench results further complicate the narrative. In Geekbench multicore, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X scores 4326 against Intel's 3656, a 15.5% advantage. But in Geekbench single-core, the Intel Core i5-8400H wins with 1281 versus 1122, a 14.2% margin for Intel.

The average benchmark scores are nearly identical: the Intel Core i5-8400H averages 2003, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X averages 1992, a difference of roughly half a percent. The Intel part sits at the 45th percentile of all CPUs, while AMD sits at the 44th percentile. The nearest rivals for each chip reflect this parity. The Intel Core i5-8400H is bracketed by the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H at 2002 (0.1% ahead), Intel Xeon D-1712TR at 2004 (0.1% behind), Intel Core i5-8400T at 2001 (0.1% ahead), and Intel Core i5-8300H at 2005 (0.1% behind). The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is bracketed by Intel Core i7-7920HQ at 1992 (0% delta), Intel Xeon E3-1285L v4 at 1991 (0.1% ahead), Intel Xeon E3-1585L v5 at 1989 (0.2% ahead), and Intel Xeon E-2276M at 1996 (0.2% behind). These deltaPct values are all within a fraction of a percent, indicating these chips are effectively in the same performance tier.

# Architecture Differences

The architectural chasm between these two processors is wide, despite both being built on a 14 nm process node. The Intel Core i5-8400H uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-H variant, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is based on the Zen architecture (Summit Ridge). Intel fabricates its chip in-house, whereas AMD relies on GlobalFoundries as its foundry.

The transistor counts and die sizes differ dramatically. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X packs 4,800 million transistors into a 213 mm² die, while the Intel Core i5-8400H uses a much smaller 126 mm² die, though its transistor count is not specified. This difference in physical scale reflects fundamentally different design philosophies.

Both chips have 4 cores and 8 threads, so the thread count parity is complete. However, clock speeds diverge significantly. The Intel Core i5-8400H has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X runs at a higher base of 3.50 GHz but a lower boost of 3.70 GHz. The Intel part's boost advantage of 0.40 GHz over its base is substantial, while AMD's boost is a mere 0.20 GHz above its base.

Cache hierarchies also differ. The Intel Core i5-8400H offers 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD's larger cache allocations at every level give it a theoretical advantage in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, but the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X explicitly lists a dual-channel memory bus with 42.7 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel part does not specify these details. The AMD chip supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the Intel part. PCIe connectivity is only specified for AMD: Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The integrated graphics situation is one-sided. The Intel Core i5-8400H includes UHD 630 graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has no integrated graphics at all. This is a decisive feature difference for systems that require a display output without a discrete GPU. The Intel part is also a mobile-segment chip on Intel BGA 1440 socket, while AMD targets the desktop segment with the AMD Socket AM4.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the Intel Core i5-8400H is locked. Production status also differs: Intel's chip is end-of-life, while AMD's remains active. The release dates are close, with Intel launching in April 2018 and AMD in April 2017.

# Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X wins in older Cinebench R15 workloads by a wide margin. In multicore, its 805 score versus 644 represents a 20% advantage. In single-core, the gap is a massive 41.6%, with AMD scoring 154 against Intel's 90. This suggests the AMD architecture handles the R15 instruction patterns and workload characteristics more efficiently. The Ryzen 5 1500X also takes Geekbench multicore with a 15.5% lead, scoring 4326 versus 3656, and edges out a narrow 4.8% win in Cinebench R23 single-core with 947 versus 902.

The Intel Core i5-8400H wins in modern, sustained multi-threaded workloads. The Cinebench R23 multicore result is emphatic: Intel scores 6392, which is 39% higher than AMD's 4597. This is the single largest margin of victory in either direction, and it indicates that the Intel part's higher boost clock and thermal headroom translate into superior long-duration multicore performance in current benchmark software. The Intel chip also wins Geekbench single-core with 1281 versus 1122, a 14.2% margin.

The use-case split is clear. For users running legacy benchmark suites or applications whose performance profiles resemble Cinebench R15 and Geekbench multicore, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X holds a distinct edge. For modern rendering workloads that scale with the Cinebench R23 engine, the Intel Core i5-8400H is the stronger choice. The Geekbench single-core win for Intel further suggests that the Coffee Lake architecture excels at bursty, single-threaded tasks that benefit from its 4.10 GHz boost clock.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400H has an average benchmark score of 2003, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X averages 1992. The difference is approximately 0.6%, placing both in the same performance tier.

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

A: The Intel Core i5-8400H scores 6392 in Cinebench R23 multicore, which is 39% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X's score of 4597. This is the largest performance gap in any benchmark between the two.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-8400H does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400H includes Intel UHD 630 integrated graphics. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: What are the socket requirements for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400H uses the Intel BGA 1440 socket, which is a mobile socket. The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X uses the AMD Socket AM4, a desktop socket.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400H has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X's boost clock of 3.70 GHz. However, the AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.50 GHz versus Intel's 2.50 GHz.

# The Verdict

The data paints a picture of two processors that are nearly equal in aggregate performance but diverge sharply on specific workloads. The Intel Core i5-8400H wins 2 of 6 head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X wins 4. Yet the average benchmark scores differ by only 11 points out of roughly 2000, and the percentile rankings are adjacent at 45 and 44.

For modern multi-threaded rendering workloads, the Intel Core i5-8400H is the clear choice. Its 39% lead in Cinebench R23 multicore is decisive and suggests that its 4.10 GHz boost clock and Coffee Lake architecture deliver superior sustained performance in current-generation rendering engines. The Intel part also offers integrated UHD 630 graphics, making it suitable for mobile systems that need a display output without a discrete GPU.

For legacy workloads and applications resembling Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is dominant, with a 20% multicore and 41.6% single-core advantage. Its Geekbench multicore lead of 15.5% further cements its position for general-purpose computing that relies on older benchmark patterns. The AMD chip's ECC memory support and unlocked multiplier add functional value for workstation and enthusiast desktop users.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1500X is a desktop processor with active production status, while the Intel Core i5-8400H is an end-of-life mobile part. This distinction matters for system builders: the AMD chip remains available for new desktop builds, while the Intel part is confined to mobile platforms and has been discontinued. The AMD chip's larger cache hierarchy (16 MB L3 versus 12 MB) and higher base clock give it a structural advantage in many common workloads.

The verdict depends on the use case. For a mobile system where integrated graphics are essential and modern rendering performance is a priority, the Intel Core i5-8400H is the better choice based on its R23 multicore dominance. For a desktop system running legacy applications, requiring ECC memory, or seeking overclocking flexibility, the AMD Ryzen 5 1500X wins on the strength of its R15 and Geekbench multicore results, its unlocked multiplier, and its active production status. The overall performance parity means neither chip is a universal winner; the correct selection hinges entirely on the target workload and platform requirements.