AMD Ryzen 5 8400F vs Intel Core i5-14490F Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F and Intel Core i5-14490F represent two distinct approaches to the mainstream desktop CPU. The benchmark data in the database shows a clear pattern: the Intel part wins the vast majority of head-to-head tests, while the AMD chip claims a single, narrow victory. The recorded scores indicate that the Core i5-14490F is the stronger performer in nearly every measured workload, with the Ryzen 5 8400F offering a specific advantage in only one area.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison contains 17 individual tests. The Intel Core i5-14490F wins 16 of them, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F wins just one. The scale of Intel's victory varies widely depending on the workload, from a marginal 2.8% lead to a commanding 36.4% advantage.

The largest gap appears in the PassMark physics test. The Intel part scores 2093, while the AMD chip scores 1332, resulting in a 36.4% deficit for the Ryzen. This is the single biggest margin in the entire dataset. Floating point math also shows a substantial difference: Intel scores 66558 versus AMD's 46217, a 30.6% lead. Prime number finding favors Intel by 27%, with scores of 122 and 89 respectively.

In the Cinebench suite, the Intel processor maintains a consistent edge. Across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multi-core and single-core tests show Intel leading by roughly 9.3% to 9.5%. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core scores are 23000 for Intel and 20851 for AMD, a 9.3% difference. Single-core R23 shows 3247 versus 2943, a 9.4% gap.

Integer math and data compression also favor Intel by double digits. The integer math score is 87844 for Intel versus 74021 for AMD, a 15.7% lead. Data compression shows 340026 against 288158, a 15.3% margin. Multithread performance in PassMark is 28662 for Intel and 24389 for AMD, a 14.9% difference.

The narrower margins are found in data encryption, random string sorting, and single-thread tests. Intel leads data encryption by 8.7% (18225 versus 16646), random string sorting by 2.8% (35608 versus 34604), and single-thread performance by 4.9% (3873 versus 3685). The single AMD win is in extended instructions, where the Ryzen 5 8400F scores 22175 against Intel's 21731, a 2% advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different platforms. The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F uses the Zen 4 architecture with the Phoenix codename, manufactured on a 4 nm process at TSMC. The Intel Core i5-14490F uses the Raptor Lake architecture with the Raptor Lake-R codename, built on a 10 nm process at Intel's own fabs. The AMD chip has a die size of 178 mm² and contains 25,000 million transistors. The Intel die is larger at 215 mm², though the database does not record a transistor count for it.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The AMD processor has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Intel processor has 10 cores and 16 threads. This explains part of the multi-core performance gap. Clock speeds also differ in configuration: the AMD chip has a base clock of 4.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz, while the Intel chip has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.00 GHz. The higher boost clock gives Intel a single-thread advantage in the recorded tests.

Cache layouts are distinct. The AMD chip uses 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel chip uses 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The larger L3 cache likely contributes to Intel's performance in cache-sensitive workloads.

Memory support also differs. The AMD processor supports only DDR5 memory with dual-channel configuration and a recorded memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5, also dual-channel, though the database does not list a bandwidth figure for it. Neither chip has integrated graphics. The AMD part uses PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes, while the Intel part uses PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The AMD multiplier is unlocked, while the Intel multiplier is locked.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmark tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-14490F wins 16 of 17 recorded head-to-head tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F wins a single test in extended instructions.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark physics, where Intel leads by 36.4% with a score of 2093 versus 1332 for AMD.

Q: How do the two compare in single-thread performance?

A: Intel leads in every single-thread test. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 3247 versus 2943, a 9.4% lead. PassMark single-thread shows 3873 versus 3685, a 4.9% lead.

Q: Does the AMD processor win anywhere?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F wins the extended instructions test with a score of 22175 versus 21731 for Intel, a 2% advantage.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Core i5-14490F has 10 cores and 16 threads.

Q: What process nodes are used by each processor?

A: The AMD chip uses a 4 nm process from TSMC. The Intel chip uses a 10 nm process from Intel.

The Verdict

The benchmark data clearly favors the Intel Core i5-14490F in nearly all measured workloads. It holds a consistent lead in Cinebench multi-core and single-core tests, with margins around 9.3% to 9.5%. In PassMark workloads, its advantages range from 2.8% to 36.4%, with the largest margins in physics and floating point math.

The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F is not without merit. It wins the extended instructions test by 2%, showing a specific strength in that workload. It also achieves a competitive position in random string sorting, where Intel leads by only 2.8%. However, the overall pattern is decisive: Intel wins 16 of 17 tests.

The Ryzen 5 8400F has a higher base clock (4.20 GHz versus 2.50 GHz), a smaller die (178 mm² versus 215 mm²), and a more advanced process node (4 nm versus 10 nm). It also has an unlocked multiplier. The Intel part counters with more cores, more threads, a higher boost clock, and a larger L3 cache.

For workloads that depend on multi-threaded throughput, the Intel Core i5-14490F is the stronger choice based on the recorded scores. For workloads that stress extended instruction sets, the AMD Ryzen 5 8400F shows a measurable advantage. The data supports selecting Intel for general multi-core and single-core tasks, with AMD reserved for the specific extended instructions scenario.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification category recorded in the database.

• Cores: AMD has 6, Intel has 10
• Threads: AMD has 12, Intel has 16
• Base clock: AMD is 4.20 GHz, Intel is 2.50 GHz
• Boost clock: AMD is 4.70 GHz, Intel is 5.00 GHz
• Socket: AMD uses AM5, Intel uses Socket 1700
• Architecture: AMD uses Zen 4, Intel uses Raptor Lake
• Codename: AMD is Phoenix, Intel is Raptor Lake-R
• Process node: AMD is 4 nm, Intel is 10 nm
• Foundry: AMD uses TSMC, Intel uses Intel
• Die size: AMD is 178 mm², Intel is 215 mm²
• L1 cache: AMD is 64 KB per core, Intel is 80 KB per core
• L2 cache: AMD is 1 MB per core, Intel is 1.25 MB per core
• L3 cache: AMD is 16 MB shared, Intel is 24 MB shared
• Memory support: AMD is DDR5 only, Intel is DDR4 and DDR5
• Memory bandwidth: AMD is 83.2 GB/s, Intel is not recorded
• PCIe: AMD is Gen 4 with 20 lanes, Intel is Gen 5 with 16 lanes
• Multiplier: AMD is unlocked, Intel is locked
• Release date: AMD is 2024-03-31, Intel is 2023-12-31

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14490F dominates the multi-core and single-core categories. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 2318 against 2101, a 9.4% lead. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, it scores 9660 against 8757, a 9.3% lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 23000 against 20851, also a 9.3% lead. The pattern repeats in single-core tests across all three Cinebench versions.

The Intel processor also wins all PassMark math and data workloads. Integer math shows an 15.7% lead, floating point math shows a 30.6% lead, and prime number finding shows a 27% lead. Data compression and encryption favor Intel by 15.3% and 8.7% respectively. Multithread performance favors Intel by 14.9%. Physics favors Intel by 36.4%, the largest margin in the dataset.

The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F wins only the extended instructions test. Its score of 22175 exceeds Intel's 21731 by 2%. This is the sole benchmark where the AMD chip takes the lead. It also comes closest in random string sorting, where Intel wins by just 2.8%, and in single-thread performance, where Intel wins by 4.9%.

The recorded data supports using the Intel Core i5-14490F for general desktop workloads, content creation, and multi-threaded applications. The AMD Ryzen 5 8400F is the better choice specifically for extended instruction workloads, based on its single head-to-head victory.