Core i5-8400 vs Ryzen 5 3400G

CPU

GPU

Core i5-8400

6 Cores6 Thrd65 WWMax: 4 GHz2017

Similar parts

·······

Buy on Amazon

Ryzen 5 3400G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019

Ryzen family

·······

Buy on Amazon

Core i5-8400 vs Ryzen 5 3400G Performance Spectrum

Core i5-8400

6 / 6

9,229

+0.3%

9,201

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 i5-8400 vs Ryzen 5 3400G 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 i5-8400 vs Ryzen 5 3400G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

Core i5-8400

2017

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics 630, while Ryzen 5 3400G needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3400G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 50.7 vs 61.8 PassMark/$ ($182 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 3400G

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +24.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $33 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).
✅Delivers 21.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.8 vs 50.7 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $182 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,201 vs 9,229).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 9 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8400 can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3400G better than Core i5-8400?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3400G is ahead with a 24.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8400 pulls ahead with 0.3% better PassMark. Core i5-8400 also has the bigger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8400 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).

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

Ryzen 5 3400G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3400G comes in $33 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $182 MSRP, and it still gives you a 24.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-8400 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.3% better PassMark. It is also 21.8% better value on MSRP (61.8 vs 50.7 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Ryzen 5 3400G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2017). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8400 vs Ryzen 5 3400G Technical Specifications

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

Core i5-8400

The Core i5-8400 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 5 October 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR3, DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,229 points. Launch price was $182.

Ryzen 5 3400G

The Ryzen 5 3400G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Picasso (2019−2022) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 9,201 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-8400 packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3400G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8400 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Core i5-8400 versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3400G — a 4.9% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3400G (base: 2.8 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-8400 uses the Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3400G uses Picasso (2019−2022) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8400 scores 9,229 against the Ryzen 5 3400G's 9,201 — a 0.3% lead for the Core i5-8400. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8400 vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3400G.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Ryzen 5 3400G
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4 GHz	4.2 GHz+5%
Base Clock	2.8 GHz	3.7 GHz+32%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+125%	4 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512K (per core)+100%
Process	14 nm	12 nm-14%
Architecture	Coffee Lake-S (2017−2018)	Picasso (2019−2022)
PassMark	9,229	9,201

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8400 uses the LGA1151 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3400G uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Ryzen 5 3400G
Socket	LGA1151	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i5-8400) / not specified (Ryzen 5 3400G). The Core i5-8400 includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 3400G requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8400 targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Ryzen 5 3400G
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8400 was priced at $182, while the Ryzen 5 3400G came in at $149. On launch pricing ($182 vs $149), Ryzen 5 3400G was $33 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8400 delivers 50.7 pts/$ vs 61.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3400G — making the Ryzen 5 3400G the 19.6% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8400	Ryzen 5 3400G
MSRP	$182	$149-18%
Performance per Dollar	50.7	61.8+22%
Release Date	2017	2019

Search Core i5-8400 on Amazon

Search Ryzen 5 3400G on Amazon

Affiliate Disclosure

ChipVERSUS is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through our links. This comes at no additional cost to you and helps support our work in providing comprehensive PC building guides and tools.

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.