AMD Ryzen 5 3400G vs Intel Core i7-7700T Comparison

# AMD Ryzen 5 3400G vs Intel Core i7-7700T

The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G and Intel Core i7-7700T are both 4-core, 8-thread desktop processors, but they target different priorities. The Ryzen 5 3400G wins 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, with decisive victories in every Cinebench test, while the Core i7-7700T counters with wins in both Geekbench tests. The Ryzen 5 3400G posts an average benchmark score of 2059 against the i7-7700T's 2039, a margin of roughly 1%, and sits at the 46th percentile versus the i7's 45th. These are closely matched parts overall, but the distribution of wins reveals a clear split: the AMD part dominates sustained multi-threaded rendering workloads, while the Intel part takes the lead in the Geekbench suite.

The Verdict

The data points to the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G for users who prioritize consistent multi-threaded performance across rendering and compute workloads. It leads the i7-7700T by 22.1% in Cinebench R15 multicore, 22.2% in R20 multicore, and 22.2% in R23 multicore, with the same ~22% advantage in every single-core Cinebench test. The Ryzen 5 3400G also carries a Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated GPU, making it the stronger choice for systems that rely on integrated graphics. Its unlocked multiplier and active production status further support its position as a more future-proof option.

The Intel Core i7-7700T, by contrast, wins in Geekbench multicore by 5.3% and Geekbench single-core by 11.8%. Its 35W TDP is significantly lower than the Ryzen's 65W, making it the better fit for compact, low-power builds where thermal headroom is scarce. The i7-7700T also offers 8MB of shared L3 cache versus the Ryzen's 4MB, which may contribute to its Geekbench showing. For users with a strict power budget or who prioritize the specific workloads modeled by Geekbench, the i7-7700T is the data-backed pick.

Neither part is a clear overall winner. The Ryzen 5 3400G's 6-2 head-to-head record and its higher average score (2059 vs 2039) give it the edge in raw throughput, but the i7-7700T's Geekbench wins and lower power draw make it the better choice for efficiency-focused builds. The Ryzen 5 3400G launched at an MSRP of $149; the i7-7700T has no listed launch MSRP.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and manufacturers. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G is built on the Zen+ architecture (codename Picasso), fabricated by GlobalFoundries on a 12nm process with 4,940 million transistors and a die size of 210 mm². The Intel Core i7-7700T uses the Kaby Lake architecture, manufactured by Intel on a 14nm process; its transistor count and die size are not listed in the data.

Both parts have 4 cores and 8 threads, but their cache hierarchies differ. The Ryzen 5 3400G offers 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 4MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-7700T provides 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but doubles the L3 to 8MB shared. This larger L3 cache on the Intel part is a notable architectural advantage for workloads that benefit from larger shared pools of fast memory.

Clock speeds diverge as well. The Ryzen 5 3400G runs at a 3.70 GHz base clock and boosts to 4.20 GHz, while the i7-7700T operates at 2.90 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost. The AMD part's higher clocks across the board help explain its Cinebench dominance. Power envelopes are a major differentiator: the Ryzen 5 3400G has a 65W TDP, while the i7-7700T draws just 35W. That 30W gap makes the Intel part substantially more power-efficient on paper.

Memory support is similar—both use DDR4 with dual-channel buses—but the Ryzen 5 3400G achieves 46.9 GB/s of memory bandwidth versus the i7-7700T's 38.4 GB/s. Neither supports ECC memory. Both use PCIe Gen 3; the Intel part specifies 16 lanes from the CPU only, while the AMD part lists PCIe Gen 3 without lane details. The Ryzen 5 3400G features an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i7-7700T is locked. Integrated graphics also differ: the AMD part includes Radeon RX Vega 11, while the Intel part has HD 630.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 3400G wins every Cinebench test in the head-to-head data. Its multicore leads are substantial: 22.1% in R15 (789 vs 646), 22.2% in R20 (3290 vs 2692), and 22.2% in R23 (7835 vs 6410). Single-core Cinebench results show the same pattern, with the AMD part ahead by 22% in R15 (111 vs 91) and 22.1-22.2% in R20 and R23. This consistent ~22% margin across all Cinebench versions suggests a fundamental throughput advantage for the Ryzen 5 3400G in rendering and compute workloads, driven by its higher clocks, higher memory bandwidth, and newer architecture.

The i7-7700T's wins are confined to Geekbench. It beats the Ryzen 5 3400G by 5.3% in Geekbench multicore (3938 vs 3731) and by 11.8% in single-core (1248 vs 1101). The larger single-core margin is particularly notable given the Ryzen's higher boost clock (4.20 vs 3.80 GHz). This suggests the i7-7700T's larger 8MB L3 cache and Kaby Lake microarchitecture provide an advantage in the specific workloads Geekbench models, despite lower clock speeds.

The power envelope is a further point of differentiation. The i7-7700T's 35W TDP makes it suitable for passively cooled or small-form-factor systems where the Ryzen 5 3400G's 65W TDP would be harder to manage. For users building low-power desktops, the i7-7700T's efficiency is a tangible benefit that benchmarks alone don't capture.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. It scores 789 vs 646 in R15 (22.1% ahead), 3290 vs 2692 in R20 (22.2% ahead), and 7835 vs 6410 in R23 (22.2% ahead).

Q: Does the Intel Core i7-7700T win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, the i7-7700T wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 3938 vs 3731 in multi-core (5.3% ahead) and 1248 vs 1101 in single-core (11.8% ahead).

Q: What are the power consumption differences?

A: The Intel Core i7-7700T has a 35W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G has a 65W TDP. The Intel part consumes significantly less power by this measure.

Q: How do the cache configurations compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with 4MB of shared L3. The Intel Core i7-7700T has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, with 8MB of shared L3.

Q: Which processor has a higher clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G runs at 3.70 GHz base and 4.20 GHz boost. The Intel Core i7-7700T runs at 2.90 GHz base and 3.80 GHz boost.

Q: What integrated graphics do these processors include?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G includes Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics, while the Intel Core i7-7700T includes HD 630 graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear pattern: the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G dominates the Cinebench suite, while the Intel Core i7-7700T takes the Geekbench tests. Starting with Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen 5 3400G scores 789 against the i7-7700T's 646, a 22.1% advantage. The R15 single-core test shows 111 vs 91, a 22% lead for the AMD part. Moving to R20, the multicore result is 3290 vs 2692 (22.2% ahead), and single-core is 464 vs 380 (22.1% ahead). The R23 tests continue the trend: multicore 7835 vs 6410 (22.2% ahead) and single-core 1106 vs 905 (22.2% ahead). Across all six Cinebench tests, the Ryzen 5 3400G maintains a remarkably consistent ~22% advantage, indicating a uniform performance gap that scales across different Cinebench versions and thread counts.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative. In Geekbench multicore, the i7-7700T scores 3938 versus the Ryzen 5 3400G's 3731, a 5.3% lead. The single-core gap is larger: 1248 vs 1101, an 11.8% advantage for the Intel part. These are substantial margins, especially in single-core, and they suggest that the i7-7700T's architecture handles the specific Geekbench workload mix more efficiently. The Ryzen 5 3400G's higher clock speeds and memory bandwidth do not translate into a Geekbench win, pointing to differences in instruction-level efficiency or cache behavior between the two designs.

Overall, the Ryzen 5 3400G wins 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks and holds a 20-point advantage in average benchmark score (2059 vs 2039). Its Cinebench dominance is consistent and large, while the i7-7700T's Geekbench wins are narrower in multicore but more pronounced in single-core. The average scores place both parts near the 45-46th percentile of all CPUs, confirming that they are closely matched overall despite their different strengths.