AMD Ryzen 5 3400G with Radeon RX Vega 11 Graphics

AMD Ryzen 5 3400G with Radeon RX Vega 11 Graphics

AMD Ryzen 5 3400G with Radeon RX Vega 11 Graphics: Comprehensive Review for 2025

Relevant for budget PC builds and multimedia systems


Key Specifications: Architecture and Main Features

The AMD Ryzen 5 3400G, released in 2019, remains a popular choice for budget builds thanks to its unique combination of CPU and GPU in a single package (APU).

Architecture and Technology:

- Based on the Zen+ microarchitecture (12nm FinFET), providing a balance between performance and energy efficiency.

- 4 cores and 8 threads with a base frequency of 3.7 GHz and turbo mode up to 4.2 GHz.

- Integrated Radeon RX Vega 11 graphics with 11 compute units (704 stream processors) and frequencies up to 1400 MHz.

- 4 MB L3 cache, 65 W TDP.

Key Features:

- Graphics without a discrete video card: Vega 11 handles light gaming and 4K video. For instance, it achieves 45-50 FPS in GTA V at low settings.

- Energy efficiency: Even in 2025, its 65 W TDP distinguishes it favorably from more powerful but power-hungry competitors.

- Precision Boost 2 and StoreMI technologies: Automatic overclocking and improved application loading times.


Compatible Motherboards: How to Choose Wisely

The Ryzen 5 3400G uses the AM4 socket, giving access to a wide range of motherboards.

Recommended Chipsets:

- A320: Budget option, but no overclocking support. Suitable for office PCs (e.g., ASUS Prime A320M-K).

- B450: Optimal choice. Supports overclocking, NVMe, and USB 3.1 (MSI B450 Tomahawk Max).

- X470: For enthusiasts, but excessive for the 3400G.

Features:

- BIOS Update: Motherboards released before 2019 may require a BIOS update for compatibility with the 3400G.

- VRM Modules: A 4-phase power supply is sufficient for stable operation on a B450 board.


Supported Memory: DDR4 and Dual-Channel Mode

The processor works with DDR4 but does not support DDR5, which seems limiting in 2025.

Recommendations:

- Use dual-channel configuration (2×8 GB). This boosts Vega 11 performance by 15-25%.

- Optimal frequency: 2933–3200 MHz. For example, a Crucial Ballistix DDR4-3200 kit.

- Latencies (CL): The lower, the better (CL16 or CL14).


Power Supply: How Many Watts Do You Need?

With a TDP of 65 W and no discrete graphics card, a power supply rated 400–450 W will be sufficient.

Tips:

- For future upgrades (e.g., adding a GTX 1660 level graphics card), choose a power supply in the 500–550 W range.

- Select models with an 80+ Bronze certification (Corsair CX450, Be Quiet! System Power 9).


Pros and Cons: Is It Worth Buying in 2025?

Pros:

- Price: New units cost $130–150 (cheaper than Ryzen 5 5600G).

- Energy efficiency: Suitable for compact cases.

- Versatility: No separate graphics card required.

Cons:

- 4 cores: Multi-threaded tasks (rendering, streaming) can be challenging.

- Outdated manufacturing process: 12 nm vs. 7 nm in Ryzen 5000/7000 series.

- No PCIe 4.0: Limits NVMe storage speeds.


Use Cases: Where the Processor Will Shine

1. Office and Multimedia: Watching 4K video, document work, browser with multiple tabs.

2. Light Gaming: CS:GO (100+ FPS), Fortnite (60 FPS on medium settings), indie projects.

3. Home Server: Low power consumption and sufficient power for basic tasks.

4. Learning and Programming: Running virtual machines, IDEs (IntelliJ, VS Code).


Comparison with Competitors

- AMD Ryzen 5 5600G (2021): 6 cores, Zen 3, Vega 7. 30% faster in CPU tasks but pricier ($180). Graphics weaker than Vega 11.

- Intel Core i3-13100 (2023): 4 cores/8 threads, UHD 730. Falls short on graphics but excels in single-thread performance.

- AMD Ryzen 3 8300G (2024): 4 Zen 4 cores, RDNA 3. More powerful but priced starting at $200.

Conclusion: The 3400G excels in the budget segment due to its price and integrated graphics.


Building Tips

1. Cooler: The stock cooler is sufficient, but for quieter operation, choose a DeepCool Gammaxx 400.

2. Storage: An SSD is a must (e.g., Kingston A2000 500 GB).

3. Case: Mini-ITX for compactness (Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L).

4. Upgrade: Select a motherboard with PCIe 4.0 if you plan to upgrade to new processors.


Final Conclusion: Who Should Consider the Ryzen 5 3400G?

This processor is an ideal choice for:

- Budget Users: Building a PC for $400–500.

- Office Systems: Reliability without extra costs for a graphics card.

- Home Theaters: 4K video playback and quiet operation.

- Beginning Gamers: Ability to play light games with the option to install a discrete GPU later.

Why in 2025? Despite its age, the 3400G remains a dependable workhorse for those valuing price-to-performance ratio. However, for demanding tasks, it's better to consider the Ryzen 5 5600G or Intel Core i5-12400.


Prices are current as of April 2025. Before purchasing, check for the availability of the processor in new configurations—certain sellers may only offer used options.

Basic

Label Name
AMD
Platform
Desktop
Launch Date
July 2019

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
4
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
8
Basic Frequency
3.7GHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
Up to 4.2GHz
L1 Cache
384KB
L2 Cache
2MB
L3 Cache
4MB
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
AM4
Unlocked for Overclocking
?
AMD`s product warranty does not cover damages caused by overclocking, even when overclocking is enabled via AMD hardware and/or software. GD-26.
Yes
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
12nm FinFET
TDP
65W
Max. Operating Temperature
?
Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.
95°C
PCI Express Version
?
PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.
PCIe® 3.0

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR4
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
2

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
Radeon™ RX Vega 11 Graphics
Graphics Frequency
?
Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.
1400 MHz
Graphics Core Count
11

Miscellaneous

OS Support
Windows 10 - 64-Bit Edition, RHEL x86 64-Bit, Ubuntu x86 64-Bit *Operating System (OS) support will vary by manufacturer.