Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 2400G

Intel

Core i5-8500B

6 Cores6 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2018
VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 2400G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.9 GHz2018
Ryzen family
·······

Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 2400G Performance Spectrum

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 i5-8500B 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 i5-8500B 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 i5-8500B

2018

Why buy it

  • +1.9% higher PassMark.
  • +125% larger total L3 cache (9 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 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.
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 46.4 vs 51.7 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $169 MSRP).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 2400G.

Ryzen 5 2400G

2018

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +8.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $23 less on MSRP ($169 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
  • Delivers 11.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 51.7 vs 46.4 PassMark/$ ($169 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Wraith Stealth), unlike Core i5-8500B.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (8,734 vs 8,900).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 9 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 2400G better than Core i5-8500B?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 2400G is ahead with a 8.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500B pulls ahead with 1.9% better PassMark. Core i5-8500B 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 i5-8500B is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% 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 2400G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 2400G comes in $23 cheaper on MSRP at $169 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 8.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-8500B is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.9% better PassMark. It is also 11.5% better value on MSRP (51.7 vs 46.4 PassMark/$), 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 2400G is the safer long-term CPU choice because it gives you more room to grow and a better platform outlook.

Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 2400G Technical Specifications

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

Intel

Core i5-8500B

The Core i5-8500B is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 3 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 6 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4.1 GHz. L3 cache: 9 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: BGA1440. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 8,900 points. Launch price was $192.

AMD

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

The Core i5-8500B packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Ryzen 5 2400G offers 4 cores / 8 threads — the Core i5-8500B has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.1 GHz on the Core i5-8500B versus 3.9 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2400G — a 5% clock advantage for the Core i5-8500B (base: 3 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Core i5-8500B uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 2400G uses Raven Ridge (2017−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500B scores 8,900 against the Ryzen 5 2400G's 8,734 — a 1.9% lead for the Core i5-8500B. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,364 vs 1,040, a 27% lead for the Core i5-8500B that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500B vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2400G.

FeatureCore i5-8500BRyzen 5 2400G
Cores / Threads
6 / 6+50%
4 / 8
Boost Clock
4.1 GHz+5%
3.9 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz
3.6 GHz+20%
L3 Cache
9 MB (total)+125%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
256K (per core)
512 kB (per core)+100%
Process
14 nm
14 nm
Architecture
Coffee Lake (2017−2019)
Raven Ridge (2017−2019)
PassMark
8,900+2%
8,734
Cinebench R23 Multi
4,800
Geekbench 6 Single
1,364+31%
1,040
Geekbench 6 Multi
3,250
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500B uses the BGA1440 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 DDR4-2666 on the Core i5-8500B versus DDR4-2933 on the Ryzen 5 2400G — the Ryzen 5 2400G supports 10% 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 i5-8500B) vs 12 (Ryzen 5 2400G) — the Core i5-8500B offers 4 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: H310,B360,H370,Z370,Q370 (Core i5-8500B) and A320,B350,X370,B450,X470 (Ryzen 5 2400G).

FeatureCore i5-8500BRyzen 5 2400G
Socket
BGA1440
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
DDR4-2933+10%
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. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8500B) vs AMD-V (Ryzen 5 2400G). Both include integrated graphics UHD Graphics 630 (Core i5-8500B) 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 i5-8500B targets Mini PC/Embedded, Ryzen 5 2400G targets Entry Gaming Desktop. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500B rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

FeatureCore i5-8500BRyzen 5 2400G
Integrated GPU
Yes
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics 630
Radeon RX Vega 11
Unlocked
No
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d, EPT
AMD-V
Target Use
Mini PC/Embedded
Entry Gaming Desktop
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8500B was priced at $192, while the Ryzen 5 2400G came in at $169. On launch pricing ($192 vs $169), Ryzen 5 2400G was $23 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500B delivers 46.4 pts/$ vs 51.7 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 2400G — making the Ryzen 5 2400G the 10.9% better value option.

FeatureCore i5-8500BRyzen 5 2400G
MSRP
$192
$169-12%
Performance per Dollar
46.4
51.7+11%
Release Date
2018
2018

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