Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 3400GE

Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 3400GE Performance Spectrum

Core i5-8500B

6 / 6

8,900

+0.8%

8,825

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 i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 3400GE 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 3400GE: 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

✅+0.8% 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 3400GE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3400GE across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 46.4 vs 59.2 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

Ryzen 5 3400GE

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +9.8% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $43 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Delivers 27.8% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 59.2 vs 46.4 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Draws 35W instead of 65W, a 30W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (8,825 vs 8,900).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 9 MB).
❌No integrated graphics, while Core i5-8500B can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3400GE better than Core i5-8500B?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, Ryzen 5 3400GE is ahead with a 9.8% 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 0.8% 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 0.8% 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 3400GE is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3400GE comes in $43 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.8% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Core i5-8500B is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.8% better PassMark. It is also 27.8% better value on MSRP (59.2 vs 46.4 PassMark/$), 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 3400GE makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 3400GE Technical Specifications

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

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.

Ryzen 5 3400GE

The Ryzen 5 3400GE 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 3.3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 4 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 35 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 8,825 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-8500B packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Ryzen 5 3400GE 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 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3400GE — a 2.5% clock advantage for the Core i5-8500B (base: 3 GHz vs 3.3 GHz). The Core i5-8500B uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3400GE uses Picasso (2019−2022) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500B scores 8,900 against the Ryzen 5 3400GE's 8,825 — a 0.8% lead for the Core i5-8500B. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500B vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3400GE.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 3400GE
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz+2%	4 GHz
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.3 GHz+10%
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 (2017−2019)	Picasso (2019−2022)
PassMark	8,900	8,825
Geekbench 6 Single	1,364	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i5-8500B uses the BGA1440 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Ryzen 5 3400GE uses AM4 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 3400GE
Socket	BGA1440	AM4
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Core i5-8500B) / not specified (Ryzen 5 3400GE). The Core i5-8500B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 3400GE requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core i5-8500B targets Mini PC/Embedded. Direct competitor: Core i5-8500B rivals Ryzen 5 2600.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 3400GE
Integrated GPU	Yes	—
IGPU Model	UHD Graphics 630	—
Unlocked	No	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d, EPT	—
Target Use	Mini PC/Embedded	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i5-8500B was priced at $192, while the Ryzen 5 3400GE came in at $149. On launch pricing ($192 vs $149), Ryzen 5 3400GE was $43 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500B delivers 46.4 pts/$ vs 59.2 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3400GE — making the Ryzen 5 3400GE the 24.4% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 3400GE
MSRP	$192	$149-22%
Performance per Dollar	46.4	59.2+28%
Release Date	2018	2019

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