AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE vs Intel Core i5-8500T Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a consistent pattern across every Cinebench iteration: the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with no victories for the Intel Core i5-8500T. The margins are strikingly uniform, hovering around 14% in every test, which suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-dependent.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 5 3400GE scores 757 against 662 for the Intel part, a 14.4% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same shape: 106 versus 93, a 14% edge. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD processor extends its lead slightly in multi-core with 3158 points versus 2759, again a 14.5% delta, while single-core shows 445 against 389, a 14.4% gap. The newest test in the set, Cinebench R23, repeats the pattern: multi-core 7520 versus 6571 (14.4%) and single-core 1061 versus 927 (14.5%).

What stands out is that the Intel Core i5-8500T has two more physical cores (6 versus 4) yet still loses multi-threaded workloads. The Ryzen 5 3400GE compensates with simultaneous multithreading (8 threads versus 6) and a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz against 3.50 GHz. The benchmark data indicates that thread count and clock speed outweigh raw core count in these Cinebench workloads.

The average benchmark scores in the database place the AMD part at 2175 and the Intel part at 2110, a narrower gap of roughly 3% overall. This is because the Intel sample also includes Geekbench results (4293 multi-core, 1187 single-core), which are not recorded for the AMD processor in this dataset. When isolating the common Cinebench tests, the AMD advantage is consistently around 14%, but the broader average narrows the picture.

Percentile rankings relative to all CPUs are close: the Ryzen 5 3400GE sits at the 47th percentile, while the Core i5-8500T sits at the 46th. Both are mid-pack processors by this metric, though the head-to-head data clearly favors AMD. The nearest rivals for the AMD part include the Intel Core i5-1145G7E (avg score 2174, delta 0.1%) and the Intel Core i7-1185GRE (avg score 2178, delta -0.1%), indicating the 3400GE sits in a tightly contested band. For the Intel part, the nearest rival is the Intel Core i5-8259U (avg 2108, delta 0.1%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G (avg 2101, delta 0.4%).

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE scores 7520 points, which is 14.4% ahead of the Intel Core i5-8500T's 6571 points.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-8500T win any benchmark in the head-to-head data?

A: No. The recorded head-to-head results show 6 wins for the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE and 0 wins for the Intel Core i5-8500T across all Cinebench tests.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE has an average benchmark score of 2175, while the Intel Core i5-8500T averages 2110. The AMD part also ranks at the 47th percentile versus the 46th for Intel.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R20?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE scores 445, which is 14.4% higher than the Intel Core i5-8500T's 389.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE is marked as active, while the Intel Core i5-8500T is end-of-life.

Q: Do both chips support the same memory type?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration. The AMD part has slightly higher memory bandwidth at 46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for Intel.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE uses the Zen+ architecture, codenamed Picasso, built on a 12 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It has a die size of 210 mm² and contains 4,940 million transistors. The Intel Core i5-8500T uses Coffee Lake, built on Intel's 14 nm process. The database does not record transistor count or die size for the Intel part, but the process node difference is clear: 12 nm versus 14 nm.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The AMD processor provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel part has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, but a much larger 9 MB of shared L3 cache. This means Intel has more than double the L3 capacity, which can help in certain workloads, yet the benchmark data shows AMD still wins across the board.

The integrated graphics differ as well. AMD pairs the Ryzen 5 3400GE with Radeon RX Vega 11, while Intel uses UHD 630. The database does not include graphics benchmarks, so performance cannot be quantified here, but the architectural names indicate different design approaches.

Socket compatibility is entirely different: the AMD chip uses Socket AM4, while Intel uses Socket 1151. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, enabling overclocking, whereas the Intel part is locked. The AMD part also supports PCIe Gen 3, while Intel lists PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Neither supports ECC memory.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ: the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the Intel Core i5-8500T has 6 cores and 6 threads. Clock speeds favor AMD: 3.30 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost versus 2.10 GHz base and 3.50 GHz boost for Intel. Both have a 35 W TDP.

The AMD part is built on a 12 nm node, the Intel part on 14 nm. Cache configurations differ as described: AMD has 96 KB L1, 512 KB L2, and 4 MB L3 per the recorded numbers; Intel has 64 KB L1, 256 KB L2, and 9 MB L3. Memory bandwidth is slightly higher on AMD (46.9 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s). The integrated GPU names differ: Radeon RX Vega 11 versus UHD 630.

The production status differs: AMD is active, Intel is end-of-life. Release dates also differ, with Intel launching in April 2018 and AMD in July 2019. The AMD part has an unlocked multiplier; Intel does not. The part numbers are YD3400C6M4MFH for AMD and SR3XD for Intel.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE wins every recorded benchmark. In multi-core workloads, it leads by 14.4% in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. In single-core tests, it leads by 14% to 14.5% across the same three versions. The consistency of the margin suggests the AMD part holds an advantage in both throughput and latency-sensitive tasks.

The Intel Core i5-8500T does not win any recorded test, but the architecture offers different strengths that the data partially reflects. Its 9 MB of L3 cache is more than double the AMD's 4 MB, which could benefit workloads with large working sets, though no benchmark in this dataset captures that effect. The Intel part also has two additional physical cores, which might matter in scenarios not covered by Cinebench, but the recorded multi-threaded results show AMD's 8 threads beating Intel's 6 cores.

The Geekbench results for Intel (4293 multi-core, 1187 single-core) exist in the database but have no AMD counterpart for direct comparison. These scores contribute to Intel's average of 2110, which trails AMD's 2175. The percentile rankings are nearly identical (47 vs 46), indicating both processors occupy a similar overall performance tier.

The Verdict

The data points decisively to the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE for any user focused on Cinebench-style rendering workloads. It wins all six head-to-head tests with margins between 14% and 14.5%, whether the workload is multi-threaded or single-threaded. Its higher boost clock (4.00 GHz versus 3.50 GHz) and SMT capability appear to overcome the Intel part's core-count advantage.

The Intel Core i5-8500T appeals only in specific scenarios that the recorded benchmarks do not measure. Its larger L3 cache (9 MB versus 4 MB) and additional physical cores could matter for certain applications, but no data in this set supports that claim. Its end-of-life production status also makes it a less future-proof choice compared to the active AMD part.

For a buyer choosing between these two at 35 W TDP, the AMD Ryzen 5 3400GE is the stronger performer according to the database. It also offers an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, which the Intel chip lacks. The Intel part retains a place for systems already built on Socket 1151 or where its specific cache layout is known to help, but the recorded metrics favor AMD in every measured category.