AMD Ryzen 5 8400F vs AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 Comparison

AMD Ryzen 5 8400F and AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 occupy different corners of the AMD lineup, one a desktop part for standard AM5 builds, the other a mobile-focused embedded processor with a 28-watt envelope. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Ryzen 5 8400F wins in three of the eleven recorded head-to-head tests, while the Ryzen AI Embedded P164 takes eight. That distribution is not random; it reflects the architectural priorities of each chip, with the desktop part favoring specific legacy workloads and the embedded part dominating modern multi-threaded and floating-point tasks.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 8400F secures its wins in three specific PassMark tests: data encryption, prime number finding, and physics simulation. In data encryption, it scores 16646 against 16055 for the P164, a 3.7% advantage. The prime number test shows a much larger gap, 89 versus 71, a 25.4% lead for the 8400F. Physics simulation also goes to the desktop chip, 1332 against 1210, a 10.1% edge. These results suggest the 8400F retains an advantage in integer-heavy, single-thread-sensitive workloads that do not scale perfectly with additional cores.

The Ryzen AI Embedded P164 wins the remaining eight tests, with varying margins. The smallest win is in random string sorting, 34801 versus 34604, a marginal 0.6% lead. The largest win is in floating-point math, where the P164 scores 55799 against 46217, a 17.2% advantage. It also leads in integer math by 15.8% (87940 versus 74021), in data compression by 12.1% (327891 versus 288158), and in extended instructions by 8.3% (24193 versus 22175). The P164 further wins the multithread test by 5.8% (25889 versus 24389) and the single-thread test by 8.5% (4029 versus 3685). This pattern shows the P164 is the stronger all-around compute engine, particularly for workloads that use modern instruction sets or high core counts.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations and use different core designs. The Ryzen 5 8400F is a 6-core, 12-thread part based on Zen 4 architecture with the codename Phoenix. It has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, with a 65-watt TDP. The Ryzen AI Embedded P164 is an 8-core, 16-thread part based on the Gorgon Point codename, using a mix of Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores. It has a much lower base clock of 2.00 GHz but a higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, with a 28-watt TDP. Both are built on TSMC's 4 nm process, but the die sizes differ: the 8400F measures 178 mm² with 25,000 million transistors, while the P164 measures 233 mm² with the transistor count not recorded.

Cache configurations also diverge significantly. The 8400F provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The P164 provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, but only 8 MB of L3. This smaller L3 pool on the P164 is notable given its higher core count and thread count. The memory support differs as well: the 8400F uses DDR5 only, while the P164 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X. The recorded memory bandwidth is 83.2 GB/s for the 8400F and 89.6 GB/s for the P164. The P164 also supports ECC memory, which the 8400F does not. The 8400F offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the P164 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 16 lanes.

Integrated graphics mark another distinction. The 8400F has no integrated graphics, while the P164 includes a Radeon 880M GPU. The 8400F uses the AM5 socket and has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the P164 uses the FP8 socket and has a locked multiplier. The 8400F is a desktop part released in 2024, and the P164 is a mobile part with a release date in 2026. The 8400F has a launch MSRP of $170; the P164 has no recorded launch MSRP. The 8400F has a known part number, while the P164 has an unknown part number.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single margin in the head-to-head set belongs to the P164 in floating-point math. Its score of 55799 is 17.2% above the 8400F's 46217. This is a substantial lead and indicates a significant advantage in scientific, simulation, or any workload that relies heavily on FPU throughput. The integer math test shows a similar trend, with the P164 at 87940 versus 74021, a 15.8% advantage. Data compression is another clear win for the P164, scoring 327891 against 288158, a 12.1% margin. Extended instructions go to the P164 by 8.3% (24193 versus 22175), and the single-thread test goes to the P164 by 8.5% (4029 versus 3685). The multithread test shows the P164 ahead by 5.8% (25889 versus 24389), and random string sorting goes to the P164 by just 0.6% (34801 versus 34604).

The Ryzen 5 8400F's wins are narrower in some cases but still decisive. Its 25.4% lead in the prime number test, 89 versus 71, is the largest margin in either direction across the entire benchmark set. The physics test shows a 10.1% lead for the 8400F, 1332 versus 1210. Data encryption goes to the 8400F by 3.7%, 16646 versus 16055. These three wins are not enough to offset the P164's broader dominance, but the prime number result in particular shows that the 8400F's Zen 4 cores still hold an edge in certain integer loops that do not benefit from the P164's core count advantage.

Looking at the aggregate data, the P164's average benchmark score is 52901, while the 8400F's is 25005. That difference is explained in part by the P164's percentile ranking of 91 against all CPUs, compared to the 8400F's 77th percentile. The P164 sits near much more powerful server and desktop parts in its nearest rivals: it is 0.1% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 9500F, 0.1% behind the Intel Xeon 634, 0.6% behind the AMD EPYC 7313P, and 0.7% behind the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X. The 8400F's nearest rivals are closer in average score: it is 0.2% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F, 0.3% ahead of the Intel Core i7-11850H, 0.4% ahead of the Intel Core i7-13620H, and 0.4% behind the AMD EPYC 9474F.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear split in use cases. The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F is the part for workloads that depend on high per-core frequency in specific integer tasks, particularly the prime number and physics tests where it leads by 25.4% and 10.1% respectively. It also holds a smaller but real advantage in data encryption. The 8400F is a desktop processor with an unlocked multiplier and a 65-watt TDP, placing it in standard AM5 builds where those legacy workloads matter. Its 77th percentile ranking and average score of 25005 put it in the middle of the desktop field, with nearest rivals all within 0.4% of its score.

The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 is the stronger overall processor. It wins eight of eleven head-to-head tests, including the most compute-intensive ones: floating-point math, integer math, and data compression. Its 8-core, 16-thread design with Zen 5 and Zen 5c cores, combined with a 5.00 GHz boost clock, gives it a 17.2% lead in floating-point math and a 15.8% lead in integer math over the 8400F. Its 91st percentile ranking and average score of 52901 place it close to much more expensive server parts, all within 0.7% of its score. The P164 also includes integrated graphics and ECC support, features absent from the 8400F. For any workload that benefits from multiple cores, modern instruction sets, or higher memory bandwidth, the P164 is the clear choice based on the recorded data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen AI Embedded P164 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the single-thread performance difference?

A: The Ryzen AI Embedded P164 scores 4029 in the PassMark single-thread test, which is 8.5% higher than the Ryzen 5 8400F's score of 3685.

Q: Which processor wins the most head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The Ryzen AI Embedded P164 wins 8 of the 11 recorded head-to-head tests, while the Ryzen 5 8400F wins 3.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Ryzen AI Embedded P164 has an average benchmark score of 52901, compared to the Ryzen 5 8400F's average of 25005.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory types?

A: No. The Ryzen 5 8400F supports DDR5 only, while the Ryzen AI Embedded P164 supports both DDR5 and LPDDR5X.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Ryzen AI Embedded P164 includes a Radeon 880M integrated GPU, while the Ryzen 5 8400F has no integrated graphics.