AMD Ryzen 5 8600G vs Intel Core i5-13400 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a clear split between these two desktop processors, with the Intel Core i5-13400 dominating heavily threaded workloads while the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G takes the crown in single-thread and lightly threaded tests. Out of 25 head-to-head comparisons, the AMD chip wins 16 while Intel takes 9, but the margin of victory matters more than the raw count.

The Intel Core i5-13400's biggest wins come in multi-threaded scenarios. In 3DMark's 16-thread test, Intel leads by 18% with a score of 7315 versus 6199. The 3DMark max-threads result is even more lopsided at 18.6% in Intel's favor (7310 vs 6161). Geekbench multicore shows a 13.3% advantage for Intel (12289 vs 10850), and PassMark floating point math is a decisive 22.7% win (58786 vs 47919). The Cinebench R15 multicore test also favors Intel by 8.8% (2358 vs 2167).

However, the Ryzen 5 8600G strikes back hard in newer Cinebench versions. The R23 multicore result is a massive 25.8% victory for AMD (21503 vs 15953), and R20 multicore goes to AMD by 5.6% (9031 vs 8526). This suggests the AMD architecture scales better in certain rendering workloads despite having fewer cores.

Single-thread performance is where AMD runs away with it. The Cinebench R23 single-core score shows AMD ahead by 41.2% (3035 vs 1786), and R15 single-core is a 15.7% gap (305 vs 257). Geekbench single-core favors AMD by 13.2% (2433 vs 2112), while PassMark single-thread shows an 8.8% edge (3878 vs 3538). Even 3DMark's single-thread test goes to AMD by 2.6% (985 vs 959).

Some tests are extremely close. PassMark integer math is nearly a tie, with Intel at 77721 and AMD at 77042 — just a 0.9% difference. The 3DMark 2-thread test shows Intel ahead by only 0.7% (1883 vs 1869), while 3DMark 4-thread goes to AMD by 1.4% (3510 vs 3461). PassMark data compression is a 2.8% Intel win (301481 vs 293306).

AMD also wins in several specialized workloads: PassMark extended instructions by 15.3% (22610 vs 19161), PassMark find prime numbers by 22.9% (96 vs 74), PassMark physics by 14.2% (1450 vs 1244), PassMark random string sorting by 12% (35067 vs 30851), and PassMark data encryption by 7.6% (17181 vs 15880). PassMark multithread goes to AMD by 6.2% (25294 vs 23719).

The Verdict

The data presents a nuanced picture. The Intel Core i5-13400 has a 0.8% higher average benchmark score overall (24280 vs 24089), and both CPUs sit at the 76th percentile among all CPUs. The nearest-rival comparisons confirm they are closely matched: the i5-13400 trails the Ryzen 5 7540U by just 0.4% and leads the Ryzen 5 PRO 6650H by 0.3%, while the 8600G is 0.4% behind the Ryzen 5 7540U and 0.8% behind the i5-13400 in average score.

Pick the Intel Core i5-13400 if your workload favors heavy multi-threading with older rendering engines or floating-point math. The 18% lead in 3DMark 16-thread, the 13.3% Geekbench multicore advantage, and the 22.7% floating-point win make it the choice for many productivity tasks. It also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, which gives platform flexibility.

Pick the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G if you prioritize single-thread responsiveness, newer Cinebench rendering, or any of the PassMark specialized tests where it excels. The 41.2% Cinebench R23 single-core lead is enormous, and the 25.8% R23 multicore advantage shows it can out-render Intel in current-generation software. The integrated Radeon 760M graphics is also a differentiator for systems without a discrete GPU.

For strictly gaming or general desktop responsiveness, the AMD chip's single-thread wins matter more. For heavily parallel compute or compression workloads, Intel's extra cores (10 vs 6) and threads (16 vs 12) show up in the numbers.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-13400 wins in:

• 3DMark multi-threaded tests (16-thread and max-threads) by 18% and 18.6% respectively
• Geekbench multicore by 13.3%
• PassMark floating-point math by 22.7%
• Cinebench R15 multicore by 8.8%
• PassMark integer math by a slim 0.9%
• PassMark data compression by 2.8%
• 3DMark 2-thread by a marginal 0.7%

The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G wins in:

• Cinebench R23 multicore by 25.8% and R20 multicore by 5.6%
• Cinebench R23 single-core by 41.2% and R15 single-core by 15.7%
• Geekbench single-core by 13.2%
• PassMark multithread by 6.2%
• PassMark extended instructions by 15.3%
• PassMark find prime numbers by 22.9%
• PassMark physics by 14.2%
• PassMark random string sorting by 12%
• PassMark data encryption by 7.6%
• PassMark single-thread by 8.8%
• 3DMark single-thread by 2.6% and 4-thread by 1.4%

The use-case split is clear: Intel for floating-point-heavy scientific or financial computing, AMD for encryption, sorting, physics simulation, and single-thread responsiveness.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400 has an average benchmark score of 24280, which is 0.8% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G's 24089.

Q: How big is the single-thread performance gap?

A: The Ryzen 5 8600G leads by 41.2% in Cinebench R23 single-core (3035 vs 1786) and by 13.2% in Geekbench single-core (2433 vs 2112). The smallest single-thread gap is in 3DMark, where AMD wins by just 2.6%.

Q: Which CPU is better for multi-core rendering?

A: It depends on the benchmark version. The Intel i5-13400 wins Cinebench R15 multicore by 8.8%, but the AMD 8600G wins R20 by 5.6% and R23 by 25.8%.

Q: Do both CPUs support the same memory types?

A: No. The Intel Core i5-13400 supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G supports DDR5 only. Both use dual-channel memory buses.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The Intel Core i5-13400 has 10 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Which CPU has the better integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G features the Radeon 760M, while the Intel Core i5-13400 has UHD Graphics 730. The benchmark data does not include direct graphics comparisons, but the Radeon 760M is generally positioned as a stronger iGPU for light gaming.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i5-13400 uses Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process from Intel's own foundry, while the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G uses Zen 4 architecture on a 4 nm process from TSMC. The manufacturing difference is significant: AMD's 4 nm node is more advanced, enabling higher clock speeds at the same 65 W TDP.

Clock speeds reflect this. The Intel chip has a 2.50 GHz base clock and 4.60 GHz boost, while the AMD chip runs at 4.30 GHz base and 5.00 GHz boost. The AMD's higher boost clock helps explain its single-thread dominance.

Core configuration differs substantially. Intel uses 10 cores and 16 threads with an L1 cache of 80 KB per core, L2 of 1.25 MB per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD uses 6 cores and 12 threads with 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel's larger core count and cache pool benefit multi-threaded throughput in many tests.

The AMD chip has a die size of 178 mm² with 25,000 million transistors, while Intel's die is 215 mm² with no transistor count listed. AMD's smaller die with more transistors suggests a denser, more efficient design.

PCIe support differs: Intel provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while AMD provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The Intel platform has newer PCIe generation, but AMD offers more total lanes.

Both CPUs have an unlocked multiplier on the AMD side (true) versus Intel (false), meaning the Ryzen 5 8600G can be overclocked while the Core i5-13400 cannot.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-13400 | AMD Ryzen 5 8600G |

|---|---|---|

| Series | Core 13th Gen | 8000 series |

| Cores | 10 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base clock | 2.50 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.60 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 65 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket AM5 |

| Process node | 10 nm | 4 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 25,000 million |

| Die size | 215 mm² | 178 mm² |

| L1 cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 20 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR5 |

| Memory bandwidth | Not listed | 83.2 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | Radeon 760M |

| Release date | 2023-01-03 | 2024-01-07 |

| Launch MSRP | $221 | $229 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Part number | SRMBFSRMBP | 100-000001237 |

Both CPUs share a 65 W TDP, desktop market segment, active production status, dual-channel memory bus, and lack ECC memory support. The Intel part was released roughly a year earlier and carries a lower launch MSRP. The AMD chip's unlocked multiplier and higher clocks make it more enthusiast-friendly, while Intel's extra cores and DDR4 compatibility offer different advantages.