The AMD Ryzen 5 8600G is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victories in ten out of fourteen measured specifications. Its most significant technical advantage over the competition is its L2 cache, which is 300% larger. This substantial increase in cache capacity provides the processor with a clear lead in architectural efficiency compared to the Intel Core i5-8400, which only outperformed its rival in a single category throughout the entire evaluation.

Users prioritizing modern technical specifications and superior cache performance should select the AMD Ryzen 5 8600G for their build. Conversely, the Intel Core i5-8400 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers, as it holds a 21% advantage in MSRP. Choosing between these two components depends on whether you value the significant architectural improvements found in the newer processor or the specific cost-related benefit offered by the older model.