AMD Ryzen 5 2400G vs Intel Core i3-7350K Comparison

The Intel Core i3-7350K and AMD Ryzen 5 2400G represent two distinct philosophies for the desktop socket: one is a dual-core part engineered for maximum single-thread velocity, while the other is a quad-core APU built around parallel throughput. Data from the benchmark suite shows a clear split, with AMD taking three of the four head-to-head tests, but Intel scoring a decisive victory in the one metric that matters most for legacy workloads. The Ryzen 5 2400G holds a 19.5% lead in Geekbench multi-core (3750 vs 3018), while the i3-7350K counters with a massive 48.4% advantage in Geekbench single-core (1488 vs 1003). This dynamic defines every other comparison between the two.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided result in the entire matchup comes from Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the Ryzen 5 2400G nearly doubles the i3-7350K’s output. AMD’s part scores 846.5 against Intel’s 417, a 50.7% deficit for the Core chip. This is not a marginal difference; it reflects a fundamental resource gap, as the Ryzen offers twice the physical cores and twice the thread count. The Cinebench R15 single-core test tells an even more extreme story, but in the opposite direction—the i3-7350K posts 58 points versus 155.65 for the Ryzen, a 62.7% gap favoring AMD. That single-core result is surprisingly lopsided, given the i3’s high base clock of 4.20 GHz, but the data is unambiguous: the Ryzen 5 2400G wins both Cinebench R15 tests by wide margins.

Moving to Geekbench, the pattern shifts slightly. The multi-core test again favors AMD, with the 2400G scoring 3750 versus Intel’s 3018—a 19.5% advantage. This is a smaller margin than in Cinebench, suggesting that Geekbench’s workload scales less perfectly with core count. However, the single-core Geekbench test is where Intel reclaims its honor. The i3-7350K scores 1488, while the Ryzen 5 2400G manages only 1003, giving Intel a 48.4% lead. This is the only head-to-head benchmark where the i3 wins, but it is a commanding one. The overall scoreboard reads 3-1 in favor of the Ryzen, yet the nature of the wins matters more than the tally.

The average benchmark scores paint a more nuanced picture. The i3-7350K holds an average of 1462 across all tests, placing it in the 38th percentile of all CPUs. The Ryzen 5 2400G averages 1439, which lands in the 37th percentile. Despite losing three of four direct comparisons, Intel’s chip actually averages higher overall, because its single-core victory is so dominant that it lifts the mean. The nearest rivals for each chip reinforce this split: the i3-7350K sits within 0.7% of the Intel Xeon E3-1225 v5 and Core i7-4710HQ, while the Ryzen 5 2400G trades blows with the Intel Core i7-2600K and Xeon E3-1505L v5. Neither chip is far from the other in aggregate performance, but their profiles could not be more different.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 2400G is the clear choice for any workload that scales with threads. Its 4 cores and 8 threads give it a structural advantage in multi-threaded rendering, video encoding, and compilation tasks, all of which are reflected in its Cinebench R15 multi-core score of 846.5. The i3-7350K’s 2 cores and 4 threads simply cannot compete in this arena, as evidenced by the 50.7% deficit in that test. For users who run heavily parallel applications, the Ryzen 5 2400G is the only rational pick between the two.

The i3-7350K wins in situations where single-thread performance is paramount. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1488 is nearly 50% higher than the Ryzen’s 1003, which translates to faster response in older games, lightly-threaded productivity apps, and any software that relies on high clock speeds rather than core counts. The i3’s 4.20 GHz base clock (with no boost clock listed) is a key factor here, as it runs at a fixed high frequency, whereas the Ryzen’s 3.90 GHz boost clock is lower and less consistent. For users who prioritize snappy single-thread behavior over multi-core muscle, the i3-7350K is the superior part.

There is also a differentiation in platform capabilities. The i3-7350K features an unlocked multiplier, making it overclockable, while the Ryzen 5 2400G also has an unlocked multiplier, so both can be pushed beyond stock settings. However, the Ryzen 5 2400G includes a much more capable integrated GPU: the Radeon RX Vega 11, versus Intel’s HD 630. While neither is a gaming powerhouse, the Vega 11 is significantly more substantial for light gaming or media playback without a discrete card. This is a qualitative advantage for AMD that no benchmark in the data set captures directly, but it is a real differentiator for system builders.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different foundries and design philosophies. Intel’s i3-7350K is built on the Kaby Lake architecture using a 14 nm process at Intel’s own fabs. It features 2 cores and 4 threads, with a base clock of 4.20 GHz and no boost clock. The cache hierarchy is modest: 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 4 MB of shared L3. Memory support is dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s, and it exposes 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. The socket is Intel Socket 1151, and the chip carries a TDP of 60 W.

AMD’s Ryzen 5 2400G uses the Zen architecture under the Raven Ridge codename, fabricated on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It doubles the core count to 4 and the thread count to 8, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 3.90 GHz. The cache layout is larger per core: 96 KB of L1, 512 KB of L2, and 4 MB of shared L3. Memory bandwidth is higher at 46.9 GB/s, also dual-channel DDR4, but the PCIe implementation is narrower at 8 Gen 3 lanes from the CPU. The socket is AMD Socket AM4, and TDP is rated at 65 W. The chip packs 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, reflecting the integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics.

The transistor count and die size highlight a major structural difference. The Ryzen 5 2400G’s 4,950 million transistors and 210 mm² die size are substantially larger than what the i3-7350K would require, though Intel’s die size is not listed in the data. This is because AMD integrates a full graphics processor alongside the CPU cores, while Intel’s HD 630 is far smaller in scope. The memory bandwidth gap (46.9 GB/s vs 38.4 GB/s) also favors AMD, which helps feed both the CPU and the integrated GPU. Neither chip supports ECC memory, and both are listed as Active in production status.

The integration of the Radeon RX Vega 11 GPU is the defining architectural feature of the Ryzen 5 2400G. It allows the chip to function as a complete APU, eliminating the need for a discrete graphics card in basic systems. The i3-7350K’s HD 630 is present but far more limited, making the Intel part reliant on a separate GPU for any serious graphics work. This is a fundamental design divergence: Intel built a pure CPU with a token iGPU, while AMD built a balanced APU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has higher single-core performance?

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K wins the Geekbench single-core test with a score of 1488, which is 48.4% higher than the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G’s 1003.

Q: Which processor is better for multi-threaded workloads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G dominates multi-threaded tests. It scores 846.5 in Cinebench R15 multi-core versus 417 for the i3-7350K, and 3750 in Geekbench multi-core versus 3018.

Q: Do both processors have unlocked multipliers?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i3-7350K and the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G have unlocked multipliers, making them suitable for overclocking.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each chip?

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K has 2 cores and 4 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2400G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a more powerful integrated GPU?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G includes a Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated GPU, which is a far more substantial graphics solution than the Intel HD 630 found in the i3-7350K.

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

A: The Intel Core i3-7350K has a higher average benchmark score of 1462, placing it in the 38th percentile, while the Ryzen 5 2400G averages 1439, in the 37th percentile.

The Verdict

The data presents a straightforward choice based on workload. The AMD Ryzen 5 2400G is the superior processor for any user who runs multi-threaded applications, as evidenced by its 50.7% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 19.5% lead in Geekbench multi-core. Its 4 cores and 8 threads provide a structural advantage that no amount of clock speed can overcome on the Intel side. Additionally, the Radeon RX Vega 11 integrated graphics make it a more complete package for a system without a discrete GPU. The Ryzen also offers higher memory bandwidth (46.9 GB/s vs 38.4 GB/s) and a larger transistor budget (4,950 million on a 210 mm² die).

The Intel Core i3-7350K is the pick for those who prioritize single-thread performance above all else. Its Geekbench single-core score of 1488 is a 48.4% improvement over the Ryzen, and its fixed 4.20 GHz clock speed ensures consistent responsiveness in lightly-threaded tasks. This makes it a viable option for older software, certain games, and productivity apps that refuse to scale across cores. However, its 2-core, 4-thread configuration is a severe limitation in modern multi-threaded environments, and its HD 630 graphics are far less capable than the Vega 11.

The final verdict hinges on use case. For a general-purpose desktop where multitasking, content creation, or any parallel work is expected, the Ryzen 5 2400G wins decisively. For a specialized single-thread workload where maximum clock speed is the only metric that matters, the i3-7350K holds a clear, albeit narrow, advantage. Given that the Ryzen 5 2400G wins three of four head-to-head benchmarks and offers far better integrated graphics, it is the more versatile and future-proof choice. The i3-7350K is a niche part for a niche audience, while the Ryzen 5 2400G is a balanced all-rounder.