AMD Ryzen 3 5425U vs Intel Xeon E-2136 Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2136 and AMD Ryzen 3 5425U occupy different ends of the processor spectrum, yet their average benchmark scores place them within 2.2% of each other. The Xeon E-2136, a 2018 server/workstation part, leads in the only two directly comparable tests, while the Ryzen 3 5425U, a 2022 mobile chip, counters with a much lower power envelope and a newer manufacturing process. The recorded data shows a clear split: the Intel part dominates raw multi-threaded and single-threaded compute, while the AMD part offers efficiency and a modern platform, but in head-to-head performance, the Xeon wins outright.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database contains two directly comparable benchmark results for these processors, both from Cinebench R23. In the multi-core test, the Intel Xeon E-2136 scores 11040, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U scores 5954.5. That is a delta of 85.4% in favor of the Xeon. The Intel part delivers nearly double the multi-threaded throughput, a decisive margin that reflects its six cores, twelve threads, and 12 MB of shared L3 cache operating at a 4.50 GHz boost clock. The Ryzen 3 5425U, with four cores, eight threads, and 8 MB of L3 cache, caps out at 4.10 GHz, and the gap in raw compute is substantial.

In the single-core Cinebench R23 test, the Xeon E-2136 scores 1558, compared to 1332 for the Ryzen 3 5425U. The delta here is 17% in favor of Intel. This is a narrower margin than the multi-core result, but still a clear victory. The Xeon’s higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.10 GHz, combined with its older but higher-clocked architecture, gives it the edge in lightly threaded workloads. The Ryzen 3 5425U’s Zen 3 architecture is more efficient per clock, but the raw frequency advantage of the Intel part wins the test.

The head-to-head record stands at 2 wins for the Intel Xeon E-2136 and 0 for the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U. Neither benchmark favors the AMD chip. The multi-core result is especially lopsided, with the Xeon leading by 85.4%, meaning any workload that scales across cores will heavily favor the Intel processor. The single-core result is less dramatic but still conclusive: a 17% lead for Intel.

Looking at the broader benchmark database, the Xeon E-2136 has an average benchmark score of 3193, placing it in the 53rd percentile of all CPUs. The Ryzen 3 5425U averages 3124, in the 52nd percentile. These are nearly identical positions, which is surprising given the huge Cinebench R23 multi-core gap. The explanation lies in the benchmark mix: the Ryzen 3 5425U has additional results from Geekbench (3880 multi-core, 1328 single-core) that pull its average up, while the Xeon’s averages are built from six Cinebench results across R15, R20, and R23. The Xeon’s Cinebench R15 multi-core score is 1112, and its R20 multi-core score is 4636, both strong numbers. But the Ryzen’s Geekbench scores are competitive enough to keep its overall average close.

The nearest rivals in the database for the Xeon E-2136 include the Intel Core i7-9700E (average score 3197, delta -0.1%), the Intel Core i3-13100T (3198, delta -0.2%), and the Intel Core i5-1240P (3202, delta -0.3%). These are all within 0.3% of the Xeon, indicating that its performance level is typical for its class. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U’s nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 6600HS (3122, delta 0.1%), the Intel Core i3-13100TE (3111, delta 0.4%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 5625U (3096, delta 0.9%). The Ryzen 3 5425U sits right at its expected performance tier, neither outperforming nor underperforming its peers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2136 is significantly faster. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 11040 versus 5954.5 for the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U, a delta of 85.4% in favor of Intel.

Q: Does the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U win any benchmark?

A: No. In the recorded head-to-head data, the Intel Xeon E-2136 wins both tests: Cinebench R23 multi-core and Cinebench R23 single-core. The Ryzen 3 5425U has zero wins.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Xeon E-2136 has an average benchmark score of 3193, while the Ryzen 3 5425U has 3124. The difference is 69 points, or roughly 2.2%, favoring the Xeon. Both are in the low 50s percentile range (53rd for Intel, 52nd for AMD).

Q: What is the single-core performance gap?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Xeon E-2136 scores 1558 and the Ryzen 3 5425U scores 1332. The Intel part leads by 17%.

Q: Is the Ryzen 3 5425U more efficient?

A: Yes, based on the recorded specifications. The Ryzen 3 5425U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the Xeon E-2136 has a TDP of 80 watts. The AMD chip also uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, versus Intel’s 14 nm process.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2136 has 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has 4 cores and 8 threads. The Xeon also has more L3 cache: 12 MB shared versus 8 MB shared.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2136 wins every measured performance category. In multi-threaded workloads, its 85.4% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core makes it the clear choice for rendering, compilation, or any task that uses all available cores. The 6-core, 12-thread configuration, combined with a 4.50 GHz boost clock and 12 MB of L3 cache, provides a substantial throughput advantage. For single-threaded tasks, the 17% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core means the Xeon also handles legacy or lightly threaded applications faster. This includes many older games, office applications, and certain database queries that rely on a single thread.

The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U does not win any benchmarks, but its strengths lie elsewhere. Its TDP of 15 watts is dramatically lower than the Xeon’s 80 watts, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops or fanless designs where power draw and heat output are critical. The 7 nm TSMC process node is more advanced than Intel’s 14 nm, and the 10,700 million transistor count on a 180 mm² die indicates a dense, modern design. The Ryzen also supports DDR4 memory with a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, versus 42.7 GB/s for the Xeon, which could benefit memory-intensive tasks despite the lower core count.

For workloads that fit within its 4-core, 8-thread limit, the Ryzen 3 5425U is a capable performer, as its average benchmark score of 3124 demonstrates. It sits just 2.2% behind the Xeon in overall average, despite having two fewer cores. This suggests that its per-core efficiency is superior, but the Xeon’s raw core count and clock speed win the day in direct comparisons.

Practical use cases for the Xeon E-2136 include small-scale server deployments, workstation builds, or any scenario where sustained multi-threaded performance is required and power consumption is not the primary constraint. The Ryzen 3 5425U is better suited to portable devices, where the 15-watt TDP allows for extended battery life and passive cooling, and where the integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics provide a display output without a discrete GPU.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every core specification. The Intel Xeon E-2136 has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 3.30 GHz for Intel and 2.70 GHz for AMD. Boost clocks are 4.50 GHz for Intel and 4.10 GHz for AMD. The TDP is a stark contrast: 80 watts for the Xeon, 15 watts for the Ryzen.

The sockets are incompatible: Intel uses Socket 1151, while AMD uses Socket FP6. The Intel part is from the Xeon E-2100 series, while the AMD part is from the 5000 series. The Intel processor is marked as end-of-life, with a release date of 2018-07-11, while the AMD processor is still active, released on 2022-01-05. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $289, which is noted for reference, but the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP.

Memory support is DDR4 for both, with dual-channel buses. However, the memory bandwidth differs: the Intel Xeon E-2136 reaches 42.7 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U reaches 51.2 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, a notable feature for reliability-sensitive workloads. PCIe support is identical: Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics differ: the Intel part has UHD Graphics P630, while the AMD part has Radeon Vega 6. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The manufacturing process differs significantly. Intel uses a 14 nm node at its own foundry, with a die size of 154 mm². AMD uses a 7 nm node from TSMC, with a die size of 180 mm² and 10,700 million transistors. The Intel part has no transistor count listed.

Cache configurations differ. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core for Intel, but the AMD part has 512 KB of L2 cache per core. L3 cache is 12 MB shared for Intel and 8 MB shared for AMD.

Architecture Differences

The architecture gap is generational. The Intel Xeon E-2136 uses Coffee Lake, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, built on a 14 nm process. This architecture dates to the 2018 era and is designed for server/workstation market segments. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U uses Zen 3, specifically the Barcelo codename, built on a 7 nm process from TSMC. This is a much newer design, released in January 2022, and targets the mobile segment.

The core architectures differ in their approach to instruction handling and power efficiency. Zen 3 is a significant redesign over earlier Zen iterations, focusing on higher instructions per clock (IPC) and better power management. The AMD chip’s 15-watt TDP reflects its mobile design, while the Intel chip’s 80-watt TDP allows for higher sustained clocks but at a cost in efficiency.

The Intel part has a die size of 154 mm², while the AMD part is larger at 180 mm², despite having fewer cores. This is due to the integrated Radeon Vega 6 graphics and the more complex 7 nm process. The AMD chip’s transistor count of 10,700 million is far higher than what would be expected on the older 14 nm Intel design, though Intel does not list a transistor count for its part.

The L2 cache differs: 256 KB per core for Intel versus 512 KB per core for AMD. This doubles the per-core cache on the AMD side, which can improve performance in workloads that repeatedly access the same data. The L3 cache favors Intel, at 12 MB shared versus 8 MB shared, giving the Xeon a larger last-level cache for its six cores.

Both processors support DDR4 memory and ECC, but the AMD part has a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s for Intel. This could offset some of the core count disadvantage in memory-heavy tasks.

The production statuses reflect their lifecycles: the Intel Xeon E-2136 is end-of-life, meaning it is no longer manufactured, while the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U is active and still in production. This affects availability and long-term support, with the AMD part being the more future-proof option.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Xeon E-2136 is the faster processor in every directly measured benchmark. It wins Cinebench R23 multi-core by 85.4% and single-core by 17%. For users who need raw compute, whether for rendering, scientific calculations, or server workloads, the Xeon E-2136 is the correct choice. Its six cores, twelve threads, and 4.50 GHz boost clock deliver a level of performance that the Ryzen 3 5425U cannot match.

However, the choice is not solely about speed. The AMD Ryzen 3 5425U consumes 15 watts versus 80 watts for the Intel part, a 65-watt difference that makes the AMD chip suitable for laptops, mini-PCs, and other power-constrained environments. Its 7 nm process and 51.2 GB/s memory bandwidth are modern features that the 2018-era Intel part lacks. The Ryzen 3 5425U also remains in active production, while the Xeon E-2136 is end-of-life.

The average benchmark scores are close: 3193 for Intel versus 3124 for AMD, a 2.2% gap. This indicates that in mixed workloads, the Ryzen 3 5425U is nearly as capable as the Xeon, despite having two fewer cores. The AMD chip’s per-core efficiency is higher, but the Intel chip’s extra cores and higher clocks win the head-to-head tests.

Who should pick which? Pick the Intel Xeon E-2136 if you need maximum multi-threaded performance and are not constrained by power or form factor. It is a workstation or server part that excels in sustained compute. Pick the AMD Ryzen 3 5425U if you need a low-power processor for a mobile device or a compact system, and if your workloads are light enough to fit within four cores. The Ryzen 3 5425U cannot beat the Xeon in raw performance, but it offers a modern, efficient platform that is still actively supported. In the end, the Xeon wins the performance tests, while the Ryzen wins on efficiency and longevity.