Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 3400G

AMD

Ryzen 5 1500X

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017
Ryzen family
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VS
AMD

Ryzen 5 3400G

4 Cores8 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.2 GHz2019
Ryzen family
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Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 3400G 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.

Ryzen 5 1500X 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.

Ryzen 5 1500X 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.

Ryzen 5 1500X

2017

Why buy it

  • +300% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 4 MB).
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (20 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 3400G.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3400G across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (9,074 vs 9,201).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 48.0 vs 61.8 PassMark/$ ($189 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).

Ryzen 5 3400G

2019

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +5.5% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Costs $40 less on MSRP ($149 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).
  • Delivers 28.6% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 61.8 vs 48.0 PassMark/$ ($149 MSRP vs $189 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (4 MB vs 16 MB).
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 1500X.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3400G better than Ryzen 5 1500X?
Yes. Ryzen 5 3400G is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 1.4% 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 3400G is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 5.5% 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 3400G is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.4% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.
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 $40 cheaper on MSRP at $149 MSRP versus $189 MSRP, and it still gives you a 5.5% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 28.6% better value on MSRP (61.8 vs 48.0 PassMark/$), 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) 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.

Ryzen 5 1500X vs Ryzen 5 3400G Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 1500X

The Ryzen 5 1500X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 11 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Zen (2017−2020) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,074 points. Launch price was $189.

AMD

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

Both the Ryzen 5 1500X and Ryzen 5 3400G share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 3.7 GHz on the Ryzen 5 1500X versus 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3400G — a 12.7% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 3400G (base: 3.5 GHz vs 3.7 GHz). The Ryzen 5 1500X uses the Zen (2017−2020) architecture (14 nm), while the Ryzen 5 3400G uses Picasso (2019−2022) (12 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 1500X scores 9,074 against the Ryzen 5 3400G's 9,201 — a 1.4% lead for the Ryzen 5 3400G. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 1500X vs 4 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3400G.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 5 3400G
Cores / Threads
4 / 8
4 / 8
Boost Clock
3.7 GHz
4.2 GHz+14%
Base Clock
3.5 GHz
3.7 GHz+6%
L3 Cache
16 MB (total)+300%
4 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)
512K (per core)
Process
14 nm
12 nm-14%
Architecture
Zen (2017−2020)
Picasso (2019−2022)
PassMark
9,074
9,201+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi
4,641
Geekbench 6 Single
1,120
Geekbench 6 Multi
3,700
🧠

Memory & Platform

Both processors use the AM4 socket with PCIe 3.0.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 5 3400G
Socket
AM4
AM4
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity
64 GB
RAM Channels
2
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 1500X) / not specified (Ryzen 5 3400G). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 1500X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 1500X rivals Core i5-7500.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 5 3400G
Integrated GPU
No
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Target Use
Gaming
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 1500X was priced at $189, while the Ryzen 5 3400G came in at $149. On launch pricing ($189 vs $149), Ryzen 5 3400G was $40 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 1500X delivers 48.0 pts/$ vs 61.8 pts/$ for the Ryzen 5 3400G — making the Ryzen 5 3400G the 25% better value option.

FeatureRyzen 5 1500XRyzen 5 3400G
MSRP
$189
$149-21%
Performance per Dollar
48.0
61.8+29%
Release Date
2017
2019

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