AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE vs Intel Core i5-7640X Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE and Intel Core i5-7640X are both quad-core desktop processors, but they are built for entirely different purposes. The Ryzen 5 3400GE is a low-power APU with integrated graphics, while the Core i5-7640X is a high-TDP, socket-2066 part without graphics. Despite their differences, benchmark data reveals a surprisingly consistent performance gap, with the AMD chip winning every single head-to-head test. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical, but the distribution of wins is not.

Where Each One Wins

The data paints a clear picture: the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE wins every benchmark recorded in this comparison. In the six head-to-head Cinebench tests, the Ryzen 5 3400GE takes the crown each time, with a consistent deltaPct of roughly 24.7% over the Intel Core i5-7640X. This is not a narrow victory in a single workload; it is a sweep across both single-core and multi-core rendering tests.

The Intel Core i5-7640X, by contrast, registers zero wins (winsB: 0) in this matchup. Its only edge is theoretical, based on specifications like a higher base clock of 3.90 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz, which are both above the Ryzen's 3.30 GHz and 4.00 GHz. Yet, these higher clocks do not translate into benchmark victories. The Intel part also offers a quad-channel memory bus and a larger 6 MB shared L3 cache, but these advantages fail to materialize in the Cinebench scores.

The use-case split is therefore stark. For any workload represented by Cinebench R15, R20, or R23—which are standard for evaluating CPU rendering performance—the Ryzen 5 3400GE is the clear choice. The Intel Core i5-7640X has no benchmark win to claim, leaving it without a demonstrated performance niche based on this data. The Ryzen's 8 threads versus the Intel's 4 threads likely explain the multi-core advantage, while the single-core advantage is more surprising given the Intel's higher clock speeds.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE has an average benchmark score of 2175, while the Intel Core i5-7640X scores 2167. The difference is just 0.4%, with the Ryzen listed as the better performer in the nearestRivals data.

Q: How much faster is the Ryzen 5 3400GE in multi-core rendering?

A: In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 3400GE scores 7520 versus the Intel's 6031, a deltaPct of 24.7%. Similarly, in Cinebench R20 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 3158 against the Intel's 2533, also a 24.7% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-7640X win any single-core test?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-7640X loses every single-core test, including Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Ryzen 5 3400GE scores 1061 versus the Intel's 851, a 24.7% delta.

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

A: Both processors have 4 cores, but the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-7640X has 4 threads. The Ryzen's simultaneous multithreading likely contributes to its multi-core wins.

Q: Do these processors have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE features Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated graphics. The Intel Core i5-7640X has no integrated graphics listed in the data.

Q: What is the TDP for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Core i5-7640X has a TDP of 112 watts. This makes the Ryzen a far more power-efficient part despite its benchmark wins.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data is remarkably one-sided. Across six Cinebench tests, the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE wins all six, with deltaPct values hovering around 24.7%. The only slight variation is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the delta is 24.6%.

Looking at the specific scores, the Ryzen 5 3400GE scores 757 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, compared to the Intel's 607. That is a 24.7% lead. In the single-core version of the same test, the AMD chip scores 106 versus the Intel's 85, again a 24.7% delta. The pattern holds in R20: multi-core sees the Ryzen at 3158 against the Intel's 2533, and single-core sees 445 versus 357.

The most recent test, Cinebench R23, shows the same story. The Ryzen 5 3400GE scores 7520 in multi-core, while the Intel Core i5-7640X manages 6031. In single-core, the scores are 1061 and 851, respectively. These are not marginal differences; a consistent 24.7% advantage across all tests indicates a fundamental performance gap in this workload. The Intel chip's higher clock speeds (4.30 GHz boost versus 4.00 GHz) did not help it close the gap in any test, suggesting that other architectural factors are at play.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ significantly in nearly every specification category. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE has 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-7640X has 4 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for the AMD and 3.90 GHz for the Intel, while boost clocks are 4.00 GHz and 4.30 GHz, respectively. The TDP difference is substantial: the AMD chip draws only 35 watts, whereas the Intel part is rated at 112 watts.

The memory bus also differs, with the AMD using dual-channel memory and the Intel using quad-channel. Memory bandwidth is listed as 46.9 GB/s for the AMD, but no value is provided for the Intel. Both support DDR4, but the sockets are entirely different: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 2066. The AMD chip includes Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated graphics, while the Intel chip has none. Both processors have unlocked multipliers, but they were released on different dates, with the AMD launching on 2019-07-06 and the Intel on 2017-06-25.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is deep. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE is built on the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, using a 12 nm process node from GlobalFoundries. It contains 4,940 million transistors on a 210 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-7640X uses the Kaby Lake architecture, codenamed Kaby Lake-X, on a 14 nm process node from Intel. No transistor count or die size is available for the Intel part.

Cache configurations also differ. The AMD chip has 96 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel chip has smaller per-core caches: 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2, but a larger 6 MB of shared L3 cache. Both use PCIe Gen 3, and neither supports ECC memory. The AMD is from the 3000 series, while the Intel is from the Core i5 X-Series 7th Gen. The AMD uses a 12 nm node with more transistors, while the Intel uses a 14 nm node; despite the AMD's smaller node, it still achieves lower clock speeds, yet wins benchmarks.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE is the superior processor for Cinebench workloads, winning all six head-to-head tests with a consistent 24.7% margin. Its 8 threads over the Intel's 4 threads provide a clear multi-core advantage, but the single-core wins are more notable given the Intel's higher clock speeds. The AMD chip also offers integrated graphics, a much lower 35-watt TDP, and a smaller process node, making it a more efficient and versatile part.

The Intel Core i5-7640X, with no benchmark wins, appears to be a less compelling choice based on this data. Its higher clocks and quad-channel memory support are not enough to overcome the Ryzen's architectural efficiency. For users running rendering tasks, the Ryzen 5 3400GE is the clear pick. The Intel chip might appeal to those needing Intel's specific socket or platform features, but the benchmark results provide no evidence of a performance benefit. The Ryzen 5 3400GE wins on every measured front, making it the recommended choice for anyone prioritizing the workloads tested here.