AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE vs Intel Core i5-7600K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results present a clear split between these two processors, with each dominating in different test families. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE wins six of the eight recorded head-to-head comparisons, while the Intel Core i5-7600K takes the remaining two. The margins are not small either way.

Starting with Cinebench, the AMD chip wins every single iteration. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 650 against Intel's 583, a 10.3% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the same pattern: 91 for AMD versus 82 for Intel, roughly a 9.9% lead. Moving to R20, AMD posts 2711 multi-core versus 2432, again a 10.3% gap, and 382 single-core versus 343, a 10.2% edge. The R23 results repeat this exactly: AMD scores 6457 multi-core and 911 single-core, while Intel manages 5792 and 817, with the same 10.3% deficit in both. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD processor holds a consistent 9.9% to 10.3% advantage. This is not a fluke; it reflects a structural edge in rendering workloads.

The Geekbench results flip the narrative completely. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel i5-7600K scores 4239 versus AMD's 3318, a commanding 27.8% lead. The single-core test is even more lopsided: Intel scores 1522, AMD scores 1110, a 37.1% margin. These are substantial wins, suggesting the Intel part excels in workloads that Geekbench emphasizes, likely short-burst integer and floating-point tasks that favor high clock speeds and lower latency.

Looking at the broader database picture, both CPUs sit at the 44th percentile among all processors, meaning they are statistically peers in overall performance. Their average benchmark scores are close: 1976 for Intel and 1954 for AMD. Intel's nearest rival, the Intel Core i3-N305, scores 1979, just 0.1% higher. AMD's closest match is the Intel Core i7-8709G at 1950, only 0.2% behind. The data shows two chips that land in the same performance tier but achieve it through very different means.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench multi-core tests?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE wins all three Cinebench multi-core tests: R15 (650 vs 583), R20 (2711 vs 2432), and R23 (6457 vs 5792). The margin is consistently about 10.3%.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-7600K wins both Geekbench tests. It scores 4239 multi-core versus 3318 (a 27.8% lead) and 1522 single-core versus 1110 (a 37.1% lead).

Q: How do their overall average scores compare?

A: The Intel i5-7600K has an average benchmark score of 1976, while the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE averages 1954. Both processors sit at the 44th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i5-7600K has a TDP of 91 watts. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE has a TDP of 35 watts, which is significantly lower.

Q: Do both chips support DDR4 memory?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 with dual-channel memory buses. However, the AMD chip has a higher memory bandwidth at 46.9 GB/s compared to Intel's 38.4 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has more threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE has 8 threads across 4 cores. The Intel Core i5-7600K has 4 threads across 4 cores, meaning no simultaneous multithreading.

Architecture Differences

The underlying designs of these two processors are fundamentally different, which explains the benchmark split. The Intel Core i5-7600K uses the Kaby Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel itself. It features 4 cores and 4 threads, with no hyper-threading. The base clock is 3.80 GHz and the boost clock reaches 4.20 GHz. This is a traditional high-frequency design aimed at low-latency, single-threaded responsiveness.

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE uses the Zen+ architecture on a 12 nm process node, fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It also has 4 cores but doubles the thread count to 8 via simultaneous multithreading. Base clock is 3.30 GHz and boost reaches 4.00 GHz. The die size is 210 mm² with 4,940 million transistors, a much larger and more complex chip than Intel's design. The process node advantage (12 nm vs 14 nm) and the extra threads help AMD in heavily multithreaded workloads like Cinebench.

Cache hierarchies differ as well. Intel provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. AMD offers 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, but only 4 MB of shared L3. AMD's larger per-core caches likely contribute to its Cinebench strength, while Intel's larger shared L3 may benefit certain mixed workloads.

The integrated graphics also diverge sharply. Intel ships the HD 630 GPU, while AMD includes the Radeon RX Vega 11, which is a far more capable integrated solution. This matters for systems without a discrete graphics card.

Specification Differences

The two chips differ on several key specification fields. The Intel Core i5-7600K runs at a base clock of 3.80 GHz and boosts to 4.20 GHz. The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE runs at 3.30 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. Intel's clocks are higher, which helps explain its Geekbench single-core victory.

Thread count is a major split: Intel has 4 threads, AMD has 8. This directly impacts multi-threaded rendering performance. TDP is another stark contrast: Intel draws 91 watts, AMD draws 35 watts. The AMD chip delivers better Cinebench scores while consuming less than half the power budget.

Memory bandwidth favors AMD: 46.9 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s for Intel, both on dual-channel DDR4. ECC memory support is present on AMD but absent on Intel. PCIe connectivity differs: Intel specifies Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while AMD lists Gen 3 without a lane count in the database.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1151, AMD uses Socket AM4. The AMD chip has a larger process node (12 nm) but a smaller L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB). Intel's multiplier is unlocked, allowing overclocking, while AMD's is locked. Production status for both is listed as Active, but the Intel part released on 2017-01-02 while the AMD part came later on 2019-09-29.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE is the clear choice for rendering and heavily threaded applications. Its Cinebench wins across R15, R20, and R23, both single and multi-core, indicate that any workload built around continuous compute, such as 3D rendering, video encoding, or scientific simulation, will favor this chip. The consistent 10% advantage in these tests is meaningful for users who spend hours waiting on renders. The much lower 35 watt TDP also makes it suitable for compact or low-noise builds where heat output is a concern.

The Intel Core i5-7600K wins decisively in Geekbench, particularly in single-core where it leads by 37.1%. This suggests it is better for applications that rely on short bursts of high-frequency computation, such as certain legacy software, some game engines, or lightly threaded productivity tools. The 27.8% multi-core Geekbench win also indicates that Intel's architecture handles mixed integer and floating-point workloads more efficiently in that specific benchmark. Users running software that mirrors Geekbench's test patterns would see noticeable responsiveness gains on the Intel part.

For general desktop use, the AMD chip offers the better integrated graphics (Radeon RX Vega 11 versus HD 630), making it more viable for light gaming or multimedia without a discrete GPU. The Intel chip's higher clocks and unlocked multiplier appeal to enthusiasts who want to push performance manually, though the database does not include overclocked results.

The Verdict

The data paints a clear picture: pick the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 3400GE if your priority is multi-threaded rendering performance, lower power consumption, or integrated graphics capability. It wins six of eight head-to-head tests, including every Cinebench benchmark, and does so while drawing 35 watts versus Intel's 91 watts. For users building a quiet, efficient machine for content creation or office work, the AMD part is the stronger choice.

Pick the Intel Core i5-7600K if your workloads align with Geekbench's test patterns, particularly single-threaded responsiveness. The 37.1% single-core lead and 27.8% multi-core lead in that benchmark are substantial. Enthusiasts who plan to overclock will also appreciate the unlocked multiplier. However, the higher TDP and weaker integrated graphics mean it is less suited to compact or power-sensitive builds.

Both processors sit at the same 44th percentile and have near-identical average scores (1976 vs 1954), so neither is a runaway winner overall. The decision comes down to which benchmark family matters more for your specific software. The database's head-to-head results are unambiguous: AMD dominates Cinebench, Intel dominates Geekbench. Match the chip to your workload, not to marketing.