AMD Ryzen 7 1700 vs Intel Core i5-8400T Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 and Intel Core i5-8400T are both 14 nm desktop processors targeting the 45th percentile of all CPUs, yet they achieve that standing through radically different designs. The Ryzen 7 1700 is an 8-core, 16-thread part with a 65 W TDP, while the Core i5-8400T is a 6-core, 6-thread chip with a 35 W TDP. Benchmark data shows a clear split: AMD dominates multi-threaded workloads and even wins single-threaded Cinebench, while Intel takes a narrow lead in Geekbench single-core performance.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 7 1700 is the decisive winner in every multi-threaded benchmark recorded, making it the choice for heavily parallel tasks. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 1414 against the i5-8400T’s 633, a 123.4% advantage. Geekbench multi-core shows a 36.5% lead, with scores of 5475 versus 4011. This is a direct consequence of the core and thread count disparity: 8 cores with 16 threads versus 6 cores with 6 threads. For rendering, video encoding, or any workload that scales across cores, the data strongly favors AMD.

Surprisingly, the Ryzen 7 1700 also wins Cinebench R15 single-core with a score of 147 against Intel’s 89, a 65.2% margin. This is an unusual result because the i5-8400T has a higher boost clock (3.30 GHz) than the Ryzen’s 3.70 GHz? No—the Ryzen’s boost is higher. The Intel part’s base clock is listed as 1700.00 MHz, which is effectively 1.70 GHz, far below the Ryzen’s 3.00 GHz base. That low base clock likely explains the single-core Cinebench deficit.

The Core i5-8400T wins only Geekbench single-core, scoring 1100 against 1023, a 7% advantage. This is a narrow victory, but it indicates that in short, lightly threaded bursts, Intel’s architecture can outperform AMD’s Zen. However, the i5-8400T’s 6 threads limit its ceiling in multi-threaded scenarios, as shown by the 36.5% multi-core deficit.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i5-8400T has 6 cores and 6 threads.

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-threaded benchmarks?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 wins all recorded multi-threaded tests: Cinebench R15 multi-core (1414 vs 633) and Geekbench multi-core (5475 vs 4011).

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-8400T win any benchmark?

A: Yes, it wins Geekbench single-core with a score of 1100 against the Ryzen 7 1700’s 1023, a 7% margin.

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has a 65 W TDP, while the Intel Core i5-8400T has a 35 W TDP.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700 supports ECC memory; the Intel Core i5-8400T does not.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400T includes UHD Graphics 630; the AMD Ryzen 7 1700 has no integrated graphics.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest single delta is in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Ryzen 7 1700 scores 1414 versus 633 for the i5-8400T. That is a 123.4% difference, meaning AMD more than doubles Intel’s output. This test reflects sustained all-core load, where the Ryzen’s 16 threads provide a massive parallel advantage. The i5-8400T’s 6 threads simply cannot compete, despite a lower TDP that might suggest better thermal headroom.

In Geekbench multi-core, the margin narrows to 36.5%, with AMD scoring 5475 and Intel 4011. Geekbench’s multi-core test includes memory and other subsystem checks, so the smaller delta suggests the i5-8400T’s memory bandwidth (42.7 GB/s dual-channel DDR4) is comparable, but the core count still decides the outcome. The Ryzen’s 16 MB shared L3 cache versus Intel’s 9 MB shared L3 may also contribute to the AMD advantage in this workload.

Cinebench R15 single-core shows an unexpected 65.2% win for AMD: 147 versus 89. This is striking because Intel’s boost clock of 3.30 GHz is only 0.40 GHz lower than AMD’s 3.70 GHz, yet the score is far apart. The i5-8400T’s base clock of 1700.00 MHz is extremely low, and if the benchmark engages before boost ramps up, the Intel part suffers. Note that the i5-8400T has no Cinebench R20 or R23 scores listed, while the Ryzen 7 1700 has no R20 or R23 data either, so no comparison is possible for those tests.

Geekbench single-core is the only Intel win, with 1100 versus 1023, a 7% lead. This benchmark favors higher instantaneous clock speeds and per-core efficiency, where Intel’s Coffee Lake architecture excels. However, the margin is modest, and it does not offset the multi-core losses. The data suggests the i5-8400T is a single-thread specialist, but only by a small amount.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in core count (8 vs 6), thread count (16 vs 6), and TDP (65 W vs 35 W). Base clocks are 3.00 GHz for AMD and 1700.00 MHz for Intel (which is 1.70 GHz). Boost clocks are 3.70 GHz for AMD and 3.30 GHz for Intel. Sockets differ: AMD Socket AM4 versus Intel Socket 1151.

Cache configurations diverge significantly. AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 16 MB shared L3. Intel has 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 9 MB shared L3. The Ryzen 7 1700’s larger caches at every level contribute to its multi-threaded lead.

Memory support is identical in type (DDR4) and bus (dual-channel), with the same theoretical bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s. However, AMD supports ECC memory while Intel does not. Both have PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes. The Intel part includes UHD Graphics 630 integrated graphics; AMD has none.

Production status differs: AMD is listed as Active, while Intel is End-of-life. Release dates are March 2017 for AMD and April 2018 for Intel. The Ryzen 7 1700 has an unlocked multiplier; the i5-8400T is locked. Launch MSRP is $329 for AMD and $182 for Intel.

Architecture Differences

The Ryzen 7 1700 uses AMD’s Zen architecture, codenamed Summit Ridge, part of the 1000 series. It is built on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Zen design emphasizes multi-threading, with simultaneous multithreading (SMT) doubling 8 cores to 16 threads. This is the primary reason for its dominance in multi-core benchmarks.

The Core i5-8400T uses Intel’s Coffee Lake architecture, part of the Core i5 generation. It is also 14 nm but fabricated by Intel, with a die size of 154 mm². Crucially, Coffee Lake in this SKU does not support Hyper-Threading, leaving it at 6 threads. The die is smaller and transistor count is not listed, but the architectural focus is on per-core performance and power efficiency, reflected in the 35 W TDP.

The process nodes are identical (14 nm), but the foundries differ: GlobalFoundries for AMD, Intel for Intel. The Ryzen 7 1700’s larger die (213 mm² vs 154 mm²) houses more cores and cache, while the i5-8400T’s smaller die aligns with its lower thread count and power envelope. The i5-8400T’s integrated UHD Graphics 630 is a feature absent from the Ryzen, which relies on a discrete GPU—a notable difference for systems without a dedicated graphics card.

The Ryzen 7 1700’s support for ECC memory and unlocked multiplier positions it as a workstation-oriented part, while the i5-8400T’s integrated graphics and locked multiplier target mainstream desktops. Despite the architectural differences, both CPUs land at the same 45th percentile, showing that Intel’s efficiency can match AMD’s core count in overall average scores, but not in peak multi-threaded throughput.