Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G

Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G Performance Spectrum

Core i5-8500B

6 / 6

8,900

0.0%

9,056

+1.8%

Ryzen Threadripper 1950X

Ryzen 9 PRO 7945

Ryzen 9 9950X

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 PRO 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 i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 PRO 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 i5-8500B

2018

Why buy it

✅+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 PRO 3400G needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (8,900 vs 9,056).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 46.4 vs 60.8 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.2% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Costs $43 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).
✅Delivers 31.1% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 60.8 vs 46.4 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $192 MSRP).

Trade-offs

❌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 PRO 3400G better than Core i5-8500B?

Yes. Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.8% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.2% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.8% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G comes in $43 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $192 MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 31.1% better value on MSRP (60.8 vs 46.4 PassMark/$), 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 PRO 3400G makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 6/6. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G 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 PRO 3400G

The Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 30 September 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) 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. L2 cache: 2 MB. Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2933. Passmark benchmark score: 9,056 points. Launch price was $149.

⚡

Processing Power

The Core i5-8500B packs 6 cores / 6 threads, while the Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G 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 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G — a 2.4% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G (base: 3 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Core i5-8500B uses the Coffee Lake (2017−2019) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G uses Zen+ (2018−2019) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Core i5-8500B scores 8,900 against the Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G's 9,056 — a 1.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G. L3 cache: 9 MB (total) on the Core i5-8500B vs 4 MB on the Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G
Cores / Threads	6 / 6+50%	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.1 GHz	4.2 GHz+2%
Base Clock	3 GHz	3.7 GHz+23%
L3 Cache	9 MB (total)+125%	4 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)+12700%	2 MB
Process	14 nm	12 nm-14%
Architecture	Coffee Lake (2017−2019)	Zen+ (2018−2019)
PassMark	8,900	9,056+2%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,364	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

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

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G
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 PRO 3400G). The Core i5-8500B includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), while the Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G 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 PRO 3400G
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 PRO 3400G came in at $149. On launch pricing ($192 vs $149), Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G was $43 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i5-8500B delivers 46.4 pts/$ vs 60.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G — making the Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G the 26.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 PRO 3400G
MSRP	$192	$149-22%
Performance per Dollar	46.4	60.8+31%
Release Date	2018	2019

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