The Ryzen 5 3400G CPU with RX Vega 11 Graphics
The Ryzen 5 3400G is a 4 core SMT enabled CPU boasting up to eight threads at a base clock of 3.7GHz and a boost clock of 4.2GHz. It has 4MB of L3 cache which seems anemic compared to the Ryzen 3000 series CPU’s. This CPU features 2MB of L2 cache and 3MB of L3 cache compared to 3MB of L2 on the 3000 series and a whopping 32MB of cache on those CPU’s at a minimum. It has a TDP of just 65w and is multiplier unlocked. At a price point of around $149.99, its certainly a value option. The RX Vega 11 graphics solution is clocked at 1400MHz and offers 11 cores.
The CPU is built on the traditional 12nm FinFET process used by the 2nd generation Ryzen 2000 series CPUs. The CPU is compatible with AMD’s socket AM4 compatible motherboards. It features a PCI-Express 3.0 compatible controller and supports DDR4 RAM up to 2933MHz officially using dual memory channels.
There are two additional models in the updated Ryzen 5 family, but these sport 2000 series model numbers. Specifically, the Ryzen 5 2400G and the Ryzen 5 2400GE. Essentially, they are all the same processor but binned for different clock speeds and TDP’s. The only difference here is that these 2000 series APU’s have lower CPU and APU clocks. Essentially, when you get down to it the Ryzen 5 3400G is an updated version of the older 2400G. The clocks are higher for the CPU and GPU, but little else has changed.
Memory Support
RAM support is different than that of the 3000 series Ryzen’s. The Ryzen 5 3400G supports memory speeds up to 2933MHz officially. The memory controller supports dual channel memory mode operation. However, as we all know, official memory support is just that and that it is an almost meaningless number.
Enthusiasts have been running RAM at speeds far greater than that for several years. Indeed, this CPU ran RAM at speeds greater than DDR4 3200MHz, but it isn’t likely to clock well north of DDR4 3600MHz like the Zen 2 based Ryzen 3000 series CPU’s do. Being that this is a 2nd generation Ryzen CPU, memory clocking isn’t going to be its strong suit.
Of course, it’s unlikely that anyone opting for a Ryzen 5 3400G isn’t going to be pairing it with expensive and highly overclocked DDR4 modules. If you do, you were either sold something or need to have your head examined.