AMD Ryzen 5 3400G vs Intel Core i5-8259U Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data splits this comparison cleanly: the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G wins six of the eight recorded head-to-head tests, while the Intel Core i5-8259U wins the remaining two. The wins are not scattered; they follow a consistent pattern tied to workload type.

The Ryzen 5 3400G dominates every Cinebench test across three versions. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 789 against Intel's 667, a 15.5% advantage. The same margin appears in R20 multicore (3290 versus 2781, again 15.5%) and R23 multicore (7835 versus 6622, again 15.5%). Single-core Cinebench results show the same story: R15 single-core 111 versus 94, R20 single-core 464 versus 392, and R23 single-core 1106 versus 934, with deltas of 15.3%, 15.3%, 15.5%, and 15.6% respectively. This consistency across all six Cinebench tests indicates the AMD part is simply faster at rendering tasks, both when using all threads and when limited to a single core.

The Intel Core i5-8259U claims victory in Geekbench. Its multicore score reaches 4168 versus AMD's 3731, an 11.7% lead, and its single-core score of 1207 tops AMD's 1101 by 9.6%. These are substantial margins, but they are confined to the Geekbench suite alone. The database records show no Geekbench wins for the AMD part, so its lead in Cinebench does not transfer to this other major benchmark family.

The average benchmark score in the database puts the Intel at 2108 points with a 46th percentile ranking against all CPUs, while the AMD sits at 2059 points with the same 46th percentile. The Intel's nearest rival by average score is the Intel Xeon E-2224G at 2117, 0.4% ahead of Intel, and the Intel Core i5-8500T at 2110, 0.1% behind Intel. The AMD's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E3-1585 v5 at 2067, 0.4% ahead of AMD, and the Intel Core i3-10105T at 2058, 0.1% behind AMD. So the two parts sit in the same performance tier, but with opposite strengths: AMD in Cinebench rendering, Intel in Geekbench.

The Verdict

The verdict is straightforward from the data. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G is the faster processor for Cinebench workloads, which are commonly used to represent 3D rendering and content creation tasks. It beats the Intel by roughly 15.5% in multicore and single-core Cinebench tests across every version recorded. If the workload is rendering, the AMD part is the choice.

The Intel Core i5-8259U is the faster processor in Geekbench, with an 11.7% multicore lead and a 9.6% single-core lead. For tasks that align with Geekbench's measurement of general-purpose integer and floating-point performance, the Intel part holds the advantage.

The AMD also has a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz versus 3.80 GHz) and a higher base clock (3.70 GHz versus 2.30 GHz), which aligns with its Cinebench wins. The Intel has a larger L3 cache (6 MB shared versus 4 MB shared), which may help explain its Geekbench edge. Neither part supports ECC memory, and both use DDR4 dual-channel memory.

One practical difference: the AMD is a desktop processor with a 65 TDP, while the Intel is a mobile processor with a 28 TDP. The AMD is also active in production and has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel is end-of-life and locked. For users building a desktop system who prioritize rendering, the AMD is the clear pick. For users who need a mobile chip that wins Geekbench, the Intel is the option, despite its lower average score overall.

The database's average benchmark score slightly favors the Intel (2108 versus 2059), but that average includes the Geekbench wins. The raw head-to-head count favors the AMD 6 to 2. The data does not support a blanket "one is better" statement; it supports a workload-specific verdict.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest Intel win is in Geekbench multicore. The Intel scores 4168 against AMD's 3731, a delta of 11.7%. This is a clear and sizeable margin, larger than any AMD win in percentage terms except for the Cinebench single-core tests, which are also around 15%. The Intel's Geekbench single-core win is 1207 versus 1101, a 9.6% delta, which is still a healthy lead.

The largest AMD win is in Cinebench R23 single-core, where it scores 1106 against 934, a 15.6% delta. Its multicore Cinebench wins are all 15.5%: R15 multicore 789 versus 667, R20 multicore 3290 versus 2781, and R23 multicore 7835 versus 6622. The AMD also wins Cinebench R15 single-core by 15.3% (111 versus 94) and R20 single-core by 15.5% (464 versus 392).

The pattern is striking: the AMD's Cinebench leads are nearly uniform, hovering at 15.3% to 15.6% regardless of core count or software version. This suggests a consistent architectural advantage in that specific benchmark family. The Intel's leads are smaller but still significant, and they are exclusive to Geekbench.

The 3DMark tests appear only in the AMD's benchmark list, not in the head-to-head table. The AMD records 2414 on 16 threads, 2391 on 8 threads, 2384 on max threads, 1703 on 4 threads, 994 on 2 threads, and 516 on single thread. These are not compared head-to-head here, so they do not factor into the win count, but they show the AMD's capability in that suite.

The Intel's benchmark list lacks 3DMark entries entirely, so no direct comparison is possible. The data does not show whether the Intel would win or lose those tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G scores 7835, while the Intel Core i5-8259U scores 6622. The AMD leads by 15.5%.

Q: Which processor wins in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i5-8259U scores 4168, beating the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G's 3731 by 11.7%.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G faster in single-core tests?

A: In Cinebench, yes. The AMD leads in Cinebench R15 single-core (111 versus 94), R20 single-core (464 versus 392), and R23 single-core (1106 versus 934). In Geekbench single-core, the Intel wins with 1207 versus 1101.

Q: Do the two processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G has a memory bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s, while the Intel Core i5-8259U has 38.4 GB/s. Both use dual-channel DDR4.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-8259U has 6 MB shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G has 4 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel Core i5-8259U does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural families and process nodes. The Intel Core i5-8259U uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake-U, built on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 126 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G uses the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, built on GlobalFoundries' 12 nm process with a die size of 210 mm² and 4,940 million transistors.

The Intel part has a smaller L1 cache at 64 KB per core versus the AMD's 96 KB per core. The L2 cache is also smaller on Intel: 256 KB per core versus 512 KB per core. However, the Intel has a larger shared L3 cache (6 MB versus 4 MB). The AMD's larger L1 and L2 caches may contribute to its Cinebench wins, while the Intel's larger L3 may help its Geekbench performance.

The AMD uses Socket AM4, a desktop socket with a 65 TDP. The Intel uses the BGA 1526 socket, a mobile socket with a 28 TDP. The AMD is a desktop part with a 12 nm node and an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel is a mobile part with a 14 nm node and a locked multiplier.

The integrated graphics differ: the Intel has Iris Pro Plus 655 graphics, while the Intel has Iris Pro Plus 655. The Intel's iGPU is listed as Iris Pro Plus 655, and the AMD's is Radeon RX Vega 11. The AMD's graphics are not benchmarked in the head-to-head table, so the data does not compare them directly.

Neither part supports ECC memory. Both support DDR4 memory and use a dual-channel memory bus. The AMD has a higher memory bandwidth at 46.9 GB/s versus Intel's 38.4 GB/s. The Intel's PCIe support is listed as "Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only)", while the AMD's is simply "Gen 3", without a lane count in the pack.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Base clock: Intel 2.30 GHz, AMD 3.70 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel 3.80 GHz, AMD 4.20 GHz
• TDP: Intel 28, AMD 65
• Socket: Intel BGA 1526, AMD Socket AM4
• Architecture: Intel Coffee Lake, AMD Zen+
• Codename: Intel Coffee Lake-U, AMD Picasso
• Process node: Intel 14 nm, AMD 12 nm
• Foundry: Intel, GlobalFoundries
• Transistors: Intel not listed, AMD 4,940 million
• Die size: Intel 126 mm², AMD 210 mm²
• L1 cache: Intel 64 KB per core, AMD 96 KB per core
• L2 cache: Intel 256 KB per core, AMD 512 KB per core
• L3 cache: Intel 6 MB shared, AMD 4 MB shared
• Memory bandwidth: Intel 38.4 GB/s, AMD 46.9 GB/s
• Integrated graphics: Intel Iris Pro Plus 655, AMD Radeon RX Vega 11
• Market segment: Intel Mobile, AMD Desktop
• Production status: Intel End-of-life, AMD Active
• Release date: Intel 2018-04-04, AMD 2019-07-06
• Launch MSRP: Intel $320, AMD $149
• Multiplier unlocked: Intel false, AMD true
• Part number: Intel SRCKBSRCUU, AMD YD3400C5M4MFH / YD3400C5FHBOX

The AMD also has additional benchmark entries in 3DMark (16 threads, 2 threads, 4 threads, 8 threads, max threads, single thread) that the Intel does not have in the pack. The Intel has no 3DMark entries. The two processors share the same core count (4), thread count (8), memory type (DDR4), memory bus width (dual-channel), ECC support (false for both), and both have integrated graphics.