Core i5-8500B vs Ryzen 5 3400GE

CPU

GPU

Core i5-8500B

6 Cores6 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.1 GHz2018

Popular choices:

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Ryzen 5 3400GE

4 Cores8 Thrd35 WWMax: 4 GHz2019

Popular choices:

•••••••••

Performance Spectrum - CPU

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.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

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 3400GE needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌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

✅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.

Core i5-8500B

2018

Ryzen 5 3400GE

2019

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 3400GE needs a discrete GPU.

Why buy it

✅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 per dollar, at 46.4 vs 59.2 PassMark/$ ($192 MSRP vs $149 MSRP).
❌85.7% higher power demand at 65W vs 35W.

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

Yes. Core i5-8500B is the better overall CPU here. You are getting a 2.2% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.8% better PassMark, which makes it the stronger all-around choice.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Core i5-8500B is the better pick here. According to our tests, it delivers 2.2% more average FPS across 2 shared CPU game tests.

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

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i5-8500B is the better fit. You are getting 0.8% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 6 threads. It also carries 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?

Core i5-8500B is the smarter buy by a wide margin for a fresh build. Core i5-8500B is 28.9% more expensive on MSRP at $192 MSRP versus $149 MSRP, and it gives you a 2.2% average FPS lead across 2 shared CPU game tests in our data. Ryzen 5 3400GE only looks stronger on raw value math because it is so cheap, but its absolute performance tier is too low to be the smarter recommendation now. At roughly 8,825 PassMark with 4 cores and 8 threads, it only makes sense as a bare-minimum stopgap or a very constrained existing-platform upgrade.

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

Ryzen 5 3400GE is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018). That makes it the safer long-term pick.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Core i5-8500B Benchmark Check

Ryzen 5 3400GE Benchmark Check

Path of Exile 2

Preset	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 3400GE
1080p
low	179 FPS	172 FPS
medium	144 FPS	151 FPS
high	115 FPS	124 FPS
ultra	91 FPS	99 FPS
1440p
low	152 FPS	143 FPS
medium	122 FPS	121 FPS
high	96 FPS	96 FPS
ultra	75 FPS	76 FPS
4K
low	71 FPS	65 FPS
medium	61 FPS	58 FPS
high	48 FPS	46 FPS
ultra	37 FPS	36 FPS

Open Core i5-8500B Open Ryzen 5 3400GE

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

Counter-Strike 2

Preset	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 3400GE
1080p
low	222 FPS	218 FPS
medium	222 FPS	189 FPS
high	222 FPS	173 FPS
ultra	214 FPS	136 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	187 FPS
medium	222 FPS	161 FPS
high	218 FPS	147 FPS
ultra	194 FPS	120 FPS
4K
low	222 FPS	138 FPS
medium	208 FPS	123 FPS
high	188 FPS	97 FPS
ultra	164 FPS	70 FPS

Open Core i5-8500B Open Ryzen 5 3400GE

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

League of Legends

Preset	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 3400GE
1080p
low	222 FPS	221 FPS
medium	222 FPS	221 FPS
high	222 FPS	221 FPS
ultra	222 FPS	221 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	221 FPS
medium	222 FPS	221 FPS
high	222 FPS	221 FPS
ultra	222 FPS	221 FPS
4K
low	222 FPS	221 FPS
medium	222 FPS	221 FPS
high	192 FPS	221 FPS
ultra	152 FPS	221 FPS

Open Core i5-8500B Open Ryzen 5 3400GE

League of Legends

League of Legends

Valorant

Preset	Core i5-8500B	Ryzen 5 3400GE
1080p
low	222 FPS	221 FPS
medium	222 FPS	221 FPS
high	222 FPS	221 FPS
ultra	222 FPS	221 FPS
1440p
low	222 FPS	221 FPS
medium	222 FPS	221 FPS
high	222 FPS	221 FPS
ultra	222 FPS	221 FPS
4K
low	222 FPS	221 FPS
medium	222 FPS	221 FPS
high	222 FPS	221 FPS
ultra	222 FPS	221 FPS

Open Core i5-8500B Open Ryzen 5 3400GE

Valorant

Valorant

Check FPS for your specific build

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i5-8500B and Ryzen 5 3400GE

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.

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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	—

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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

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