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

# AMD Ryzen 7 2800H vs Intel Core i5-8400T

The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H and Intel Core i5-8400T are remarkably evenly matched processors, with average benchmark scores of 2002 and 2001 respectively — a difference of just 0.05%. Both sit at the 45th percentile of all CPUs, placing them in the same performance tier. However, the head-to-head benchmark data tells a more one-sided story: the Ryzen 7 2800H wins all six Cinebench comparisons, with margins ranging from 10.1% to 10.3%. This apparent contradiction — near-identical averages but consistent single-test victories — stems from the different benchmark suites each chip was tested on. The Intel part includes Geekbench scores in its average, while the AMD part does not, skewing the aggregate comparison.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear choice for different use cases. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is the superior processor for multi-threaded rendering workloads, as evidenced by its consistent double-digit lead across all three Cinebench versions. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Ryzen scores 6922 against the Core i5-8400T's 6282, a 10.2% advantage. Single-core performance follows the same pattern, with the Ryzen leading by 10.1% in R15 (98 vs 89) and 10.3% in R23 (977 vs 886). For users running CPU-intensive creative applications, the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 3.80 GHz versus the Intel's 3.30 GHz appears to translate directly into measurable performance gains.

The Intel Core i5-8400T, despite its 6 cores and 6 threads versus the Ryzen's 4 cores and 8 threads, cannot overcome the Ryzen's per-thread efficiency in these tests. However, the Intel chip offers its own advantages: a 35W TDP versus the Ryzen's 15W TDP, a desktop socket (Intel Socket 1151), and a larger 9 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel part also includes a Geekbench multi-core score of 4011 and single-core score of 1100, which are not available for the AMD chip — these scores contribute to the Intel's near-identical average benchmark score.

For buyers prioritizing raw rendering performance in Cinebench-style workloads, the Ryzen 7 2800H is the clear pick. For those needing a desktop processor with a larger cache and established Socket 1151 ecosystem, the Core i5-8400T remains competitive. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the Ryzen remains active in production.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H wins every head-to-head benchmark in the dataset — all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23, each with multi-core and single-core variants). The margins are remarkably consistent: 10.1% in R15 multi-core and single-core, 10.2% in R20 multi-core and single-core, and 10.2%/10.3% in R23 multi-core/single-core respectively. This uniformity suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than workload-specific behavior.

The Intel Core i5-8400T's only "win" comes from having additional benchmark data points. Its Geekbench multi-core score of 4011 and single-core score of 1100 are included in its average, but no comparable Geekbench data exists for the Ryzen. In the shared Cinebench suite, the Intel part consistently trails by roughly 10%.

The Intel chip's advantages are structural rather than performance-based: it offers 6 physical cores versus 4, a 9 MB shared L3 cache versus the Ryzen's 4 MB, and a memory bandwidth rating of 42.7 GB/s (the Ryzen's bandwidth is not specified). For workloads that scale with core count but are not captured in the Cinebench suite, the Intel's extra two cores could theoretically provide benefits — though the data does not confirm this.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed Raven Ridge, using a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It features 4 cores and 8 threads with a base clock of 3.40 GHz and boost clock of 3.80 GHz. The cache hierarchy consists of 128 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 4 MB shared L3. The die size is 246 mm². It uses the AMD Socket FP5 (mobile) and integrates Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics. The TDP is rated at 15W.

The Intel Core i5-8400T employs the Coffee Lake architecture on Intel's own 14 nm process. It has 6 cores and 6 threads — no hyper-threading — with a base clock of 1700.00 MHz and boost clock of 3.30 GHz. Cache configuration is 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and a substantially larger 9 MB shared L3. The die size is significantly smaller at 154 mm². It uses Intel Socket 1151 for desktop platforms and integrates UHD Graphics 630. The TDP is 35W, more than double the Ryzen's rating.

The Intel chip supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) and has a specified memory bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, while the Ryzen's PCIe and bandwidth figures are not listed. Both support dual-channel DDR4 memory, and neither supports ECC memory. Both are multiplier-locked. The Intel part has a listed part number (SR3X6) and a launch MSRP of $182; the Ryzen has no launch MSRP in the data.

The production status differs notably: the Ryzen 7 2800H is listed as Active, while the Core i5-8400T is End-of-life. Release dates are close, with the Ryzen launching on 2018-05-29 and the Intel on 2018-04-01.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H averages 2002, while the Intel Core i5-8400T averages 2001 — a difference of 0.05%, effectively a tie.

Q: Why does the Ryzen win all Cinebench tests if the average scores are nearly identical?

A: The Intel part includes two Geekbench scores (4011 multi-core, 1100 single-core) in its average that are not available for the Ryzen. In the shared Cinebench tests, the Ryzen leads by 10.1% to 10.3%.

Q: How do the core counts compare?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400T has 6 cores and 6 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 2800H has 4 cores and 8 threads. Despite fewer physical cores, the Ryzen's SMT implementation and higher boost clock (3.80 GHz vs 3.30 GHz) yield higher Cinebench scores.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: The Ryzen 7 2800H is rated at 15W TDP, while the Core i5-8400T is rated at 35W. The Ryzen is a mobile processor (Socket FP5), while the Intel is a desktop part (Socket 1151).

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Core i5-8400T has 9 MB shared L3 cache, compared to the Ryzen 7 2800H's 4 MB shared L3. The Intel chip also has smaller L1 (64 KB vs 128 KB per core) and L2 (256 KB vs 512 KB per core) caches.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 7 2800H is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i5-8400T is End-of-life.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison reveals a consistent pattern across all six Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 7 2800H scores 697 against the Core i5-8400T's 633, a 10.1% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the same delta: 98 versus 89, also 10.1%. This consistency across both scaling modes suggests the Ryzen's advantage is not dependent on thread count.

Cinebench R20 amplifies the margin slightly. Multi-core results show 2907 for the Ryzen versus 2638 for the Intel, a 10.2% lead. Single-core follows at 410 versus 372, again 10.2%. The Ryzen's per-core efficiency, enabled by its 3.80 GHz boost clock versus the Intel's 3.30 GHz, appears to be the deciding factor.

Cinebench R23 continues the trend. Multi-core: 6922 for the Ryzen versus 6282 for the Intel, a 10.2% difference. Single-core: 977 versus 886, the largest margin at 10.3%. Notably, the Ryzen's multi-core advantage (10.2%) is nearly identical to its single-core advantage (10.3%), implying that the extra two physical cores on the Intel chip provide no multi-threaded benefit in this workload.

The Intel Core i5-8400T does offer additional data points via Geekbench, scoring 4011 multi-core and 1100 single-core. However, without comparable Geekbench results for the Ryzen, these scores cannot be directly compared. The Intel's average benchmark score of 2001, buoyed by these Geekbench results, nearly matches the Ryzen's 2002 average, which is derived solely from Cinebench scores.

In summary, the Ryzen 7 2800H is the outright winner in every directly comparable test, with margins between 10.1% and 10.3%. The Intel's aggregate score is kept competitive only by the inclusion of non-overlapping Geekbench data. For anyone choosing between these two based on the available benchmark evidence, the Ryzen 7 2800H is the superior performer in rendering workloads.