AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G vs Intel Core i5-8500T Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8500T and AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G present a fascinating study in contrasting design philosophies: one is a low-power, six-core Intel part, while the other is a higher-TDP, four-core AMD chip with simultaneous multithreading. The benchmark data reveals a clear and consistent victor, with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G winning all six head-to-head comparisons, yet the overall average benchmark scores for both processors are remarkably close, differing by only 0.4%. This suggests that while the AMD chip dominates in the specific Cinebench workloads tested, the broader performance picture is more nuanced than a simple sweep might indicate.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unequivocal in their direction, with the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G taking every single head-to-head test. The data shows a remarkably consistent performance gap across all six Cinebench iterations. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G scores 732 against the Core i5-8500T’s 662, a margin of 9.6%. This pattern repeats almost identically in the single-core R15 test, where AMD leads 103 to 93, a 9.7% advantage.

Moving to the newer Cinebench R20 and R23 benchmarks, the story remains unchanged. The Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G posts a multi-core score of 3051 in R20, compared to the Intel’s 2759, again a 9.6% difference. The single-core R20 results follow suit, with AMD winning 430 to 389, a 9.5% gap. The most demanding workload, Cinebench R23, shows the same trend: AMD’s 7266 multi-core score eclipses Intel’s 6571, and its 1025 single-core score beats Intel’s 927. In every instance, the deltaPct hovers around 9.5-9.7%, suggesting a systematic performance advantage for the AMD part in these rendering tasks, likely stemming from its higher clock speeds and SMT capabilities.

Despite this clean sweep, the overall average benchmark score tells a different story. The Intel Core i5-8500T has an average benchmark score of 2110, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G sits at 2101. This puts Intel ahead by 0.4% in the aggregate, a figure that is essentially a statistical tie. This discrepancy is curious. It implies that the AMD chip’s dominance in Cinebench is not necessarily representative of its performance across all possible workloads, and that the Intel chip may hold advantages in other types of benchmarks not included in this head-to-head set. The data suggests that while the AMD chip is the clear winner in these specific rendering tests, the overall performance envelope is far more balanced.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G achieves a multi-core score of 7266, which is 9.6% higher than the Intel Core i5-8500T’s score of 6571.

Q: Is the performance gap consistent across different Cinebench versions?

A: Yes, the deltaPct between the two processors is remarkably stable, ranging from -9.5% to -9.7% in favor of the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G across R15, R20, and R23 versions, for both single-core and multi-core tests.

Q: How do the two processors compare in terms of overall average benchmark score?

A: The data shows the Intel Core i5-8500T has an average benchmark score of 2110, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G has an average score of 2101, placing Intel 0.4% higher in the aggregate.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-8500T have more cores than the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-8500T has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G has a base clock of 3.60 GHz, which is significantly higher than the Intel Core i5-8500T’s base clock of 2.10 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two chips?

A: The Intel Core i5-8500T has a TDP of 35 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G has a TDP of 65 watts, making the Intel chip the lower-power option.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G is the definitive winner in all Cinebench workloads, which are representative of 3D rendering and content creation tasks. Its consistent 9.6% lead in both single-core and multi-core tests indicates a strong advantage in CPU-intensive, multi-threaded rendering scenarios. The higher base and boost clocks (3.60 GHz and 3.90 GHz versus 2.10 GHz and 3.50 GHz) likely contribute to this edge, as does its support for simultaneous multithreading, which allows its 4 cores to handle 8 threads. For users whose primary workflow involves rendering, the data clearly points to the AMD chip as the superior choice.

The Intel Core i5-8500T’s wins are less direct. While it loses every head-to-head benchmark, its higher average benchmark score (2110 vs 2101) suggests it may be more competitive in other, unlisted workloads. Furthermore, its 6 physical cores could provide an advantage in specific applications that scale well with raw core count but do not benefit from SMT. The Intel chip’s significantly lower TDP of 35 watts also makes it the clear winner for power-constrained or small-form-factor builds, where thermal headroom is at a premium. The data implies a use case for the Intel part where efficiency and physical core count are prioritized over raw rendering speed.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge significantly in their core specifications. The Intel Core i5-8500T offers 6 cores and 6 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G offers 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds also differ, with Intel’s base clock at 2.10 GHz and boost at 3.50 GHz, compared to AMD’s higher 3.60 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost. The TDP is a major differentiator: Intel’s part is rated at 35 watts, while AMD’s is rated at 65 watts. They also use different sockets (Intel Socket 1151 vs AMD Socket AM4) and have different cache configurations. The Intel chip has 9 MB of shared L3 cache, whereas the AMD chip has 4 MB of shared L3 cache. Memory bandwidth also differs, with Intel at 42.7 GB/s and AMD at 46.9 GB/s. The Intel chip does not support ECC memory, while the AMD chip does. PCIe lane counts differ as well, with Intel offering 16 lanes and AMD offering 8 lanes. Finally, the Intel chip’s multiplier is locked, while the AMD chip’s is unlocked.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide is fundamental. The Intel Core i5-8500T is built on the Coffee Lake architecture, fabricated on a 14 nm process by Intel. In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G is based on the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, and is also built on a 14 nm process, but by GlobalFoundries. AMD’s chip integrates 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Intel chip’s transistor count and die size are not listed in the data. The cache hierarchies differ, with Intel using 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, while AMD uses 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core. The integrated graphics also differ: Intel uses UHD 630, while AMD uses the more powerful Radeon RX Vega 11. The AMD chip is part of the Ryzen 5 2000 series and features an unlocked multiplier, whereas the Intel part is a locked Coffee Lake chip. The AMD chip is also listed as Active in production status, while the Intel chip is End-of-life.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 2400G is the superior choice for users whose primary focus is Cinebench-style rendering performance, as it wins every head-to-head test by a consistent margin. Its higher clock speeds, SMT capability, and higher memory bandwidth appear to give it a decisive edge in these workloads. The unlocked multiplier also offers potential for performance tuning, which the locked Intel chip cannot match. Users building a system for 3D rendering or video encoding should favor the AMD part.

The Intel Core i5-8500T is the better option for users who prioritize power efficiency, given its 35-watt TDP compared to AMD’s 65-watt rating. Its six physical cores and higher average benchmark score suggest it may hold its own in other applications not covered by the head-to-head tests. For a compact, low-power desktop build where thermal output is a critical constraint, the Intel chip is the logical choice. Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether the user values raw rendering speed (choose AMD) or energy efficiency and physical core count (choose Intel). The data shows a clear split: AMD wins the performance benchmarks, but Intel wins on efficiency and aggregate score.