AMD Ryzen 5 1400 Review | 78 Data compared

The Tom’s Hardware review identifies the $130 AMD Ryzen 3 1300X as a strong budget contender, featuring four physical cores and an unlocked multiplier for overclocking on affordable B350 motherboards. It outperforms dual-core Intel i3 competitors in multi-threaded applications and provides a solid gaming experience, though it requires a dedicated GPU due to lacking integrated graphics. Despite trailing Intel in single-threaded tasks, the 1300X is recommended as a capable, cost-effective option for budget builders.

This Tom's Hardware review details an extreme overclocking test of ten AMD Ryzen CPUs using liquid nitrogen (LN2) on an Asus Crosshair VI Hero, showcasing superior scaling on higher-tier chips, like the 1800X reaching over 5.2 GHz. While indicating strong binning for retail chips, significant cons emerged, including a "nightmarish" multiplier lock bug on specific Ryzen 7 1700 batches below -20°C that necessitated torch-heating to resolve. The testing process was plagued by extreme hardware instability, featuring risks like CPUs ripping from sockets due to frozen thermal paste, making the experience unpredictable. Ultimately, the study concludes that while 10+ core frequencies are possible for records, the first-gen Ryzen platform presents high frustration and extreme, batch-dependent, "silicon lottery" unpredictability. Copy

The PC Gamer review highlights the AMD Ryzen 5 series as a major disruptor bringing high-end, multi-core performance to the mainstream market. The 6-core 1600X is particularly praised for offering superior price-to-performance for both gaming and workstation tasks, outperforming Intel’s Core i5 counterparts. Pros include exceptional multi-threaded value, with up to 12 threads excelling in content creation, and affordable overclocking potential on B350 motherboards. Conversely, cons involve lower single-core performance in high-refresh-rate gaming compared to Intel, and the necessity for fast RAM to maximize performance. The review advises that while the 1500X is a solid budget option, it significantly lags behind the 6-core models. Copy

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is a budget-friendly 4-core/8-thread CPU offering strong multi-threaded performance for Linux workstations compared to contemporary Core i3 chips, but it suffers from a low 3.2GHz base clock and a reduced 8MB L3 cache. While praised for its 65W TDP and AM4 socket upgrade path, the processor's weak single-threaded performance and narrow price gap with the superior R5 1500X limit its value. Overall, the R5 1400 serves as a capable, low-power option for basic tasks and entry-level servers, though it lacks the performance of higher-tier Ryzen alternatives. For a detailed review of the AMD Ryzen 5 1400, visit ServeTheHome.

The AMD Ryzen 5 1600 offers exceptional value with six cores and twelve threads, outperforming Intel competitors in multi-threaded tasks with a 65W TDP. Pros include high productivity performance at a lower price point and unlocked overclocking, while cons include lower out-of-the-box speeds compared to the 1600X and lesser single-core performance. The Ryzen 5 1400 provides an affordable four-core/eight-thread option featuring great power efficiency. Its pros are low cost and multi-threading capabilities, though it faces cons such as a smaller 8MB L3 cache and lower frequencies. Both CPUs include capable stock coolers, though early memory compatibility issues with high-speed RAM were noted. Copy

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is an entry-level, 4-core/8-thread, 14nm "Summit Ridge" processor, representing the budget option in the Ryzen 5 lineup with a 3.2GHz base and 3.4GHz boost clock. To achieve its price point, the 1400 features a halved L3 cache (8MB) and limited XFR compared to higher-tier models, designed specifically for budget-conscious builders. The CPU offers strong multi-threaded performance in productivity tasks and excellent overclocking potential, often reaching 4.0GHz across all cores. However, the reduced L3 cache results in weaker single-threaded and gaming performance, with the chip trailing competitors in specific titles like Fallout 4. While capable, the 1400 is considered to have poor value within the Ryzen range, as the Ryzen 5 1500X provides double the cache for a minor price increase, and the 1600 offers two extra cores, making the 1400 difficult to recommend over its siblings. Copy

The PCMag review highlights the AMD Ryzen 5 1400 as a competitive, budget-friendly "Zen" processor, featuring four cores and eight threads with simultaneous multi-threading (SMT) at a 65-watt TDP. Pros include excellent multi-core performance in tests like Cinebench R15 and 7-Zip, surpassing similarly priced Intel competitors, alongside easy overclocking capabilities on B350 motherboards. Conversely, cons involve lower single-threaded performance and 1080p gaming efficiency, plus a compact stock cooler limited by its modest cooling capacity. While deemed a very good budget option, the review ultimately suggests stepping up to the Ryzen 5 1500X for superior clock speeds and cache. Copy

The Phoronix review of the 4-core/8-thread AMD Ryzen 5 1400 on Linux highlights it as a high-value, entry-level Zen CPU for budget builds, boasting a 65W TDP and included cooler. It excels in multi-threaded tasks, often outperforming higher-cost Intel alternatives in rendering and crypto, alongside solid overclocking potential. Conversely, it shows weaker single-threaded performance and lower gaming throughput compared to contemporary Intel chips, coupled with limited Linux thermal monitoring support at the time. Copy

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400 is a budget 4-core/8-thread, 14nm "Summit Ridge" processor featuring a 3.2 GHz base clock and 8 MB of L3 cache. It offers strong multi-threaded productivity performance that outpaces similarly priced Intel Core i3 and i5 options, though it falters in gaming, often performing on par with lower-tier CPUs. While the unlocked multiplier allows for overclocking to roughly 3.8 GHz, the chip lacks integrated graphics and faces competition from its own higher-cached counterparts. Copy

The AMD Ryzen 5 1400, a budget-focused 4-core/8-thread processor featuring Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT), delivers high-value multi-threaded performance in productivity tasks like Cinebench R15 and 7-Zip, often surpassing Intel's i5-7400. While average gaming frame rates can fall behind Intel competitors, the Ryzen 5 1400 typically provides better minimum frame rates, leading to a smoother, more consistent gaming experience, especially when overclocked to 3.8-3.9GHz using the included Wraith Stealth cooler. Key pros include exceptional value, strong multi-tasking, and an unlocked multiplier, while cons include a reduced 8MB L3 cache compared to the 1500X, lower single-thread performance than Kaby Lake, and the requirement of a dedicated GPU.