The AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victory in ten out of fourteen evaluated specifications. Its most significant technical advantage is the L2 cache, which is 300% larger than that found in the Intel Core i5-8400. This substantial increase in cache capacity provides the primary performance edge for the newer processor, as the Intel Core i5-8400 failed to outperform its competitor in any of the measured categories.

Users prioritizing modern hardware specifications should choose the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G to benefit from its superior cache architecture and overall spec-win count. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-8400 remains an option only for those specifically seeking a legacy configuration, as it offers no measurable advantage over the newer alternative. Given the clear disparity in technical capabilities, the AMD Ryzen 5 8500G is the more capable component for users looking to maximize their hardware potential.