AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G vs Intel Xeon E-2186G Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2186G and AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G represent two distinct approaches to computing, separated by three years of silicon evolution. The Xeon E-2186G is a 6-core, 12-thread Coffee Lake part built on Intel’s 14 nm process, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G is a 4-core, 8-thread Zen 3 chip on TSMC’s 7 nm node. Despite the Ryzen’s lower core count, benchmark data shows it wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, yet the Xeon claims a decisive victory in Geekbench multi-core. This analysis breaks down where each processor excels, what the architectural differences imply, and which workloads favor which chip.

Where Each One Wins

The data paints a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G dominates in rendering and single-threaded workloads, while the Intel Xeon E-2186G wins in a specific multi-core scenario. Across all four Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23, both single and multi-core), the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G takes the win, with margins ranging from 1.8% to 2.0%. For instance, in Cinebench R23 multi-core, the AMD chip scores 11724 versus the Xeon’s 11492, a 2% advantage. This is notable because the Ryzen accomplishes it with only 4 cores and 8 threads, compared to the Xeon’s 6 cores and 12 threads.

The Xeon E-2186G’s lone victory comes in Geekbench multi-core, where it scores 6204 against the Ryzen’s 5373, a commanding 15.5% lead. This suggests that the Geekbench multi-core test scales more aggressively with thread count, favoring the Xeon’s additional two cores and four threads. However, the Ryzen strikes back in Geekbench single-core, scoring 1813 versus 1550, a 14.5% advantage — the largest single-test margin in either direction.

For use-case planning, the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G is the stronger choice for rendering tasks (Cinebench) and any application that rewards high single-thread performance. The Xeon E-2186G, meanwhile, retains an edge in certain multi-threaded workloads that resemble Geekbench’s scaling pattern, though its overall benchmark average (3462) is only 0.6% higher than the Ryzen’s (3441). Both chips sit at the 54th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are statistically equivalent in overall performance distribution.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is substantial. The Xeon E-2186G uses Intel’s Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, built on a 14 nm process at Intel’s own foundry. It packs 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The die size is 154 mm², and it features 12 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a server/workstation part, released in 2018, and is now end-of-life.

The Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G employs AMD’s Zen 3 architecture under the Cezanne codename, fabricated on TSMC’s 7 nm process. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a higher base clock of 4.00 GHz but a lower boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The die is larger at 180 mm², containing 10,700 million transistors, and offers 8 MB of L3 cache. Notably, its L2 cache is 512 KB per core, double the Xeon’s 256 KB per core. This chip is an active desktop part released in 2021.

The memory subsystems differ as well. Both support dual-channel DDR4, but the Ryzen has a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus the Xeon’s 42.7 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, a rare commonality for a desktop-focused Ryzen part. The integrated graphics also differ: the Xeon includes HD Graphics P630, while the Ryzen features Radeon Vega 6. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The manufacturing contrast is stark: 14 nm versus 7 nm, Intel versus TSMC. The Ryzen’s smaller process node and newer architecture likely explain its higher single-thread performance despite lower boost clocks, while the Xeon’s extra cores and higher boost clock (4.70 GHz vs 4.20 GHz) help it in thread-heavy scenarios like Geekbench multi-core.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G is the superior processor for most tasks. It wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests, including every Cinebench iteration and Geekbench single-core. Its performance in rendering workloads is particularly impressive given its lower core count — the 2% multi-core win in Cinebench R23 (11724 vs 11492) shows that Zen 3’s efficiency compensates for having two fewer cores. The Ryzen also offers higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s) and a more modern 7 nm process, which likely contributes to its consistency.

The Intel Xeon E-2186G is the pick only for workloads that mirror Geekbench multi-core, where its 6-core/12-thread configuration yields a 15.5% advantage (6204 vs 5373). This makes it a viable option for specific multi-threaded applications that scale well beyond 8 threads. However, its 14 nm process, lower single-core scores (1550 vs 1813), and end-of-life status suggest it is the older, less efficient design.

For a new system, the data favors the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G, which is still active in production. The Xeon’s only meaningful lead is in one test, and even its average benchmark score (3462) barely edges the Ryzen (3441) by 0.6%. Neither chip is unlocked, but the Ryzen’s higher base clock (4.00 GHz vs 3.80 GHz) and superior single-thread performance make it the more versatile daily driver.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G wins with a score of 11724, compared to the Intel Xeon E-2186G’s 11492, a 2% margin.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2186G win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins Geekbench multi-core with a score of 6204, beating the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G’s 5373 by 15.5%.

Q: How do the core counts differ?

A: The Xeon E-2186G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the single-core performance gap in Geekbench?

A: The Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G scores 1813, which is 14.5% higher than the Xeon E-2186G’s 1550.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Xeon E-2186G and the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G support ECC memory.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth figures for each?

A: The Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, while the Xeon E-2186G has 42.7 GB/s.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data reveals a consistent pattern with one outlier. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G scores 1181 against the Xeon’s 1158, a 1.9% win. The single-core R15 test shows a similar 1.8% margin (166 vs 163). Moving to Cinebench R20, the Ryzen wins multi-core by 2% (4924 vs 4826) and single-core by 2% (695 vs 681). The R23 results mirror this: multi-core 11724 vs 11492 (2%) and single-core 1655 vs 1622 (2%).

The Geekbench results break the trend dramatically. In multi-core, the Xeon E-2186G scores 6204, which is 15.5% higher than the Ryzen’s 5373. This is the largest delta in the entire comparison. However, in Geekbench single-core, the Ryzen reverses course with a 14.5% win (1813 vs 1550). These two tests show that the Xeon’s extra cores and threads provide a substantial boost in Geekbench’s multi-threaded workload, while the Ryzen’s superior per-core performance dominates single-threaded tests.

Overall, the Ryzen wins 7 of 8 tests, with the Xeon’s single win being the most lopsided in either direction. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (3462 for Xeon, 3441 for Ryzen), reinforcing that neither chip has a broad overall advantage — the differences are workload-specific. The Xeon’s 15.5% Geekbench multi-core win is countered by the Ryzen’s 14.5% single-core win, suggesting a trade-off between thread scaling and core efficiency.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every fundamental specification. The Xeon E-2186G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 5350G has 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds favor the Xeon in boost (4.70 GHz vs 4.20 GHz) but the Ryzen in base (4.00 GHz vs 3.80 GHz). The Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4. TDP differs significantly: the Xeon draws 95 W, the Ryzen only 65 W.

The process nodes are generations apart: Intel 14 nm versus TSMC 7 nm. The Ryzen’s die is larger at 180 mm² (with 10,700 million transistors) compared to the Xeon’s 154 mm². Cache configurations differ in L2 and L3: the Xeon has 256 KB L2 per core and 12 MB shared L3, while the Ryzen has 512 KB L2 per core and 8 MB L3. Memory bandwidth is higher on the Ryzen (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s).

Integrated graphics differ: the Xeon has HD Graphics P630, the Ryzen has Radeon Vega 6. The Xeon is a server/workstation part released in 2018 and is end-of-life, while the Ryzen is an active desktop part from 2021. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $506; the Ryzen has no listed launch MSRP. Both support ECC memory, dual-channel DDR4, PCIe Gen 3 with 16 CPU lanes, and neither has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon’s part number is SR3WR, while the Ryzen’s is 100-000000256.