AMD Ryzen 7 2700X vs Intel Core i5-8400
The Intel Core i5-8400 is the faster chip for gaming by roughly 6%. Here is the full spec-by-spec breakdown.
| Specification | AMD Ryzen 7 2700X | Intel Core i5-8400 |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming score | 48/100 | 51/100 |
| Tier | C | C |
| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |
| Cores | 8 | 6 |
| Threads | 16 | 6 |
| Base clock | 3.7 GHz | 2.8 GHz |
| Boost clock | 4.3 GHz | 4 GHz |
| Power draw (TDP) | 105 W | 65 W |
| Release year | 2018 | 2017 |
Which should you buy?
For gaming specifically, the Intel Core i5-8400 is the better buy — it holds a 6% lead in our index, which shows up most at 1080p and in CPU-bound titles like strategy and simulation games. The AMD Ryzen 7 2700X has more cores (8 vs 6), which helps if you stream, compile or render alongside playing. The Intel Core i5-8400 runs 40W cooler, meaning a cheaper cooler and less case heat. Either way, pair it with a graphics card of similar standing — check the bottleneck calculator before you buy.