Core i5-1038NG7 vs Ryzen 5 2400G

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Ryzen 5 2400G Performance Spectrum

Core i5-1038NG7

4 / 8

8,823

+1.0%

8,734

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 3995WX

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Ryzen 5 2400G FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Ryzen 5 2400G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i5-1038NG7

2020

Why buy it

✅+1% higher PassMark.
✅+50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).
✅Draws 28W instead of 65W, a 37W reduction.
✅33.3% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 12) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 2400G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 2400G.

Ryzen 5 2400G

2018

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core i5-1038NG7.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,734 vs 8,823).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 6 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $169 MSRP, while Core i5-1038NG7 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌132.1% higher power demand at 65W vs 28W.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i5-1038NG7 better than Ryzen 5 2400G?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 2400G is ahead with a 12.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 pulls ahead with 1% better PassMark. Core i5-1038NG7 also has the bigger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-1038NG7 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i5-1038NG7 is still the better call for a fresh build. Core i5-1038NG7 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $169 MSRP, and it still gives you 1% better PassMark. Ryzen 5 2400G only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the better recommendation now. At roughly 8,734 PassMark with 4 cores and 8 threads, it only really makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i5-1038NG7 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 50% larger total L3 cache (6 MB vs 4 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-1038NG7 vs Ryzen 5 2400G Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i5-1038NG7

The Core i5-1038NG7 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 May 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2 GHz, with boost up to 3.8 GHz. L3 cache: 6 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 10 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1344. Thermal design power (TDP): 28 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200, LPDDR4-3733. Passmark benchmark score: 8,823 points. Launch price was $320.

Ryzen 5 2400G

The Ryzen 5 2400G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 12 February 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Raven Ridge (2017−2019) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.9 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 8,734 points. Launch price was $169.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Core i5-1038NG7 and Ryzen 5 2400G share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.8 GHz on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2400G — a 2.6% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 2400G (base: 2 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the Ice Lake-U (2019−2020) architecture (10 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2400G uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-1038NG7 scores 8,823 against the Ryzen 5 2400G's 8,734 — a 1% lead for the Core i5-1038NG7. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,250 vs 1,040, a 18.3% lead for the Core i5-1038NG7 that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 6 MB (total) on the Core i5-1038NG7 vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2400G.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Ryzen 5 2400G
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	3.8 GHz	3.9 GHz+3%
Base Clock	2 GHz	3.6 GHz+80%
L3 Cache	6 MB (total)+50%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256 kB (per core)	512 kB (per core)+100%
Process	10 nm-29%	14 nm
Architecture	Ice Lake-U (2019−2020)	Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark	8,823+1%	8,734
Cinebench R23 Multi	—	4,800
Geekbench 6 Single	1,250+20%	1,040
Geekbench 6 Multi	—	3,250

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-1038NG7 uses the FCBGA1344 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 2400G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches LPDDR4-3733 on the Core i5-1038NG7 versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen 5 2400G — the Core i5-1038NG7 supports 27.3% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 64 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 16 (Core i5-1038NG7) vs 12 (Ryzen 5 2400G) — the Core i5-1038NG7 offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Ryzen 5 2400G
Socket	FCBGA1344	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	LPDDR4-3733+27%	DDR4-2933
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	64 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	16+33%	12

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Ryzen 5 2400G has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Core i5-1038NG7 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-1038NG7) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 2400G). Both include integrated graphics — Iris Plus Graphics G7 (Core i5-1038NG7) and Radeon RX Vega 11 (Ryzen 5 2400G) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-1038NG7 targets Premium Laptop, Ryzen 5 2400G targets Entry Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-1038NG7 rivals Ryzen 7 4800U.

Feature	Core i5-1038NG7	Ryzen 5 2400G
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Iris Plus Graphics G7	Radeon RX Vega 11
Unlocked	No	Yes
AVX-512	Yes	No
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	AMD-V
Target Use	Premium Laptop	Entry Gaming Desktop