AMD Ryzen 7 2800H vs Intel Core i5-8400H Comparison

The Intel Core i5-8400H and AMD Ryzen 7 2800H are two mobile processors from 2018 that, on average, perform nearly identically. The AMD chip's average benchmark score is 2002, while the Intel chip scores 2003, a mere 0.1% difference. Despite this statistical tie, the data reveals a clear pattern in individual tests: the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, yet the overall averages remain close because the Intel part counters with a strong showing in Geekbench, a test not available for the AMD chip.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results paint a surprisingly one-sided picture in terms of raw wins. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is the victor in every single Cinebench test, which is the only suite where both processors have directly comparable scores. This includes both multi-core and single-core workloads, across three different versions of the benchmark. The AMD chip's lead is consistent, ranging from 7.6% to 8.2% over the Intel part. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen 7 2800H scores 6922 against the i5-8400H's 6392, and in single-core it scores 977 versus 902. This suggests that in rendering and other heavily threaded tasks, as well as in tasks that rely on a single core, the AMD processor holds a measurable advantage.

The Intel Core i5-8400H's wins are not in the head-to-head Cinebench data, but rather in the broader benchmark suite. The data shows the Intel chip has a Geekbench multi-core score of 3656 and a single-core score of 1281, which are not listed for the AMD competitor. This absence of AMD scores in the Geekbench field is a notable data gap. It means that while the AMD chip dominates Cinebench, the Intel chip shows it has competitive strength in other types of workloads, as evidenced by its near-identical average score of 2003 versus the AMD's 2002. The Intel part's wins are therefore implied by its overall average, suggesting that its Geekbench performance is strong enough to offset its losses in Cinebench.

The use-case split here is not about different workloads, but about benchmark consistency. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H wins in the benchmark suite where both are tested, while the Intel i5-8400H relies on performance in a different test to keep the averages level. This indicates that for users prioritizing Cinebench-style rendering performance, the AMD chip is the clear choice. For users whose workloads align more with Geekbench's test methodology, the Intel chip appears to hold its own, though the lack of direct AMD data makes this a less certain conclusion.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is the superior processor for Cinebench workloads. It wins all six head-to-head matchups, with a consistent lead of approximately 8% in both single-core and multi-core tests. The data shows that its highest win is an 8.2% advantage in Cinebench R15 single-core, and its smallest is a 7.6% lead in R15 multi-core. This consistency is a strong indicator of its overall performance advantage in this benchmark family. For anyone whose primary use case is 3D rendering, video encoding, or other tasks that scale with Cinebench scores, the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is the data-supported choice.

The Intel Core i5-8400H, however, is not without merit. Its overall average benchmark score of 2003 is effectively tied with the AMD's 2002, and it is listed as a near rival with a deltaPct of only 0.1%. This suggests that in a broader range of applications, the two processors are functionally equivalent. The Intel chip's Geekbench scores, which are not available for the AMD part, likely contribute to this parity. Therefore, for users with mixed workloads that include Geekbench-style tests, the Intel chip is a viable option. The data does not show a clear winner for general-purpose use, as the benchmark averages are within a rounding error of each other.

The choice ultimately depends on which benchmark suite is more representative of the user's needs. If the workload is rendering-heavy, the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H's consistent Cinebench wins make it the logical pick. If the workload is more general, the near-identical average scores suggest that either processor would perform similarly. The Intel part's 45th percentile ranking among all CPUs is the same as the AMD's, further reinforcing the idea that they occupy the same performance tier, despite their divergent Cinebench results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most significant margin in the head-to-head data is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H scores 98 against the Intel Core i5-8400H's 90, a difference of 8.2%. This is the largest percentage gap between the two processors in any test. The AMD chip also wins the R20 single-core test by 7.8%, scoring 410 versus 378. These single-core wins are notable because they suggest the AMD chip has a clock-for-clock advantage in lightly threaded tasks, despite its lower boost clock of 3.80 GHz compared to the Intel's 4.10 GHz. The data implies that the AMD architecture is more efficient in these workloads.

In multi-core tests, the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H maintains its lead, though by slightly smaller margins. The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows a 7.6% advantage for AMD, with scores of 697 versus 644. The R20 multi-core test shows a 7.7% lead, with scores of 2907 versus 2684. The R23 multi-core test also shows a 7.7% lead, with scores of 6922 versus 6392. This consistency across different versions of the same benchmark is a strong signal. It indicates that the AMD chip's advantage is not an artifact of a single test version, but a fundamental performance characteristic. The Intel chip's higher boost clock does not appear to translate into a Cinebench win.

The most intriguing aspect of the data is the contradiction between the head-to-head results and the overall averages. While AMD wins every Cinebench test by nearly 8%, the average benchmark scores are nearly identical. This implies that the Intel Core i5-8400H's Geekbench performance, which is not part of the head-to-head comparison, must be significantly better than the AMD's to bring the averages in line. The Intel chip scores 3656 in Geekbench multi-core and 1281 in single-core, and while we have no AMD scores for comparison, the mathematical implication is that the AMD chip's Geekbench scores must be lower by a large enough margin to offset its Cinebench wins. This makes the missing data a critical factor in the overall analysis.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons against the Intel Core i5-8400H. These include Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, in both single-core and multi-core tests.

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

A: The largest gap is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H scores 98, which is 8.2% higher than the Intel Core i5-8400H's score of 90.

Q: Are the two processors closely matched overall?

A: Yes, the average benchmark score for the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is 2002, while the Intel Core i5-8400H scores 2003. This is a deltaPct of only 0.1%, indicating they are statistically tied on average.

Q: Does the Intel chip have any benchmark wins?

A: The head-to-head data shows zero wins for the Intel Core i5-8400H. However, the Intel chip has Geekbench scores of 3656 (multi-core) and 1281 (single-core), which are not reported for the AMD chip, suggesting it has strengths in that benchmark.

Q: What is the difference in their boost clocks?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400H has a boost clock of 4.10 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has a lower boost clock of 3.80 GHz.

Q: What is the difference in their TDP ratings?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400H has a TDP of 45 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has a TDP of 15 watts. This indicates a significant difference in power consumption.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 14 nm process node, but they come from different foundries. Intel fabricates the Core i5-8400H using its own "Intel" foundry, while AMD uses GlobalFoundries for the Ryzen 7 2800H. The Intel chip is based on the Coffee Lake architecture with the codename Coffee Lake-H, while the AMD chip uses the Zen architecture with the codename Raven Ridge. This is a fundamental difference, as Coffee Lake is an Intel design and Zen is an AMD design, leading to different microarchitectural approaches.

The cache hierarchies are markedly different. The Intel Core i5-8400H has a larger shared L3 cache of 12 MB, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has only 4 MB of shared L3 cache. However, the AMD chip has larger per-core L1 and L2 caches: 128 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, compared to the Intel's 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core. This suggests different cache strategies, with Intel relying on a larger pool of shared cache and AMD providing more private cache per core. The die size also differs significantly, with the AMD chip measuring 246 mm² versus the Intel's 126 mm².

Both processors integrate graphics, but they come from different vendors. The Intel Core i5-8400H features the UHD 630 integrated graphics, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has the Radeon RX Vega 11. The AMD chip also supports dual-channel memory, a feature not specified for the Intel part. Both support DDR4 memory and do not support ECC memory. The AMD chip is built on the Zen architecture, which is a different design philosophy from Intel's Coffee Lake, and this is reflected in the cache layout and the integrated graphics solution. The Intel part is also listed as end-of-life, while the AMD part is active in production.

Specification Differences

The most striking specification difference is the TDP. The Intel Core i5-8400H has a TDP of 45 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is rated at 15 watts. This is a threefold difference in power consumption, which has significant implications for thermal management and battery life in mobile devices. The AMD chip achieves its performance at a much lower power envelope, which is a key architectural achievement.

The clock speeds also differ. The Intel chip has a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.10 GHz. The AMD chip has a higher base clock of 3.40 GHz but a lower boost clock of 3.80 GHz. This means the Intel chip has a broader clock range, while the AMD chip operates at a higher minimum frequency. The sockets are different as well: the Intel chip uses Intel BGA 1440, while the AMD chip uses AMD Socket FP5. This means they are not interchangeable in a motherboard.

The memory bus is another differentiating factor. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H explicitly supports a dual-channel memory bus, while this field is not specified for the Intel Core i5-8400H. Both support DDR4 memory and neither supports ECC memory. The integrated graphics differ, with the Intel chip using UHD 630 and the AMD chip using Radeon RX Vega 11. The production status also differs, with the Intel part being end-of-life and the AMD part being active. Finally, the part numbers are different, with the Intel chip having the part number SR3Z1, while the AMD chip's part number is not specified.