AMD Ryzen 5 2600H vs Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600H and Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 are both 4-core, 8-thread processors, but they come from different worlds: one is a mobile chip from AMD's 2000 series, the other a server/workstation part from Intel's Skylake generation. The recorded data shows a remarkably close race in Cinebench tests, with the AMD edging ahead in every single run, but the real differences lie in platform features, power, and intended use.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are consistent across all six Cinebench tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600H wins every round, but by margins of only 1% to 1.1%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD scores 685 against the Intel's 678, a 1% lead. Single-core R15 is 96 versus 95, a 1.1% advantage. Moving to R20, the AMD posts 2856 multicore and 403 single-core, while the Intel manages 2827 and 399, again 1% and 1% deltas. In R23, the AMD records 6801 multicore and 960 single-core, versus 6733 and 950 for the Intel, with deltas of 1% and 1.1% respectively.

These numbers tell a clear story: the two chips are effectively tied in raw compute performance. The AMD's wins are consistent, but the gaps are small enough that they would be imperceptible in real-world workloads. The average benchmark scores reinforce this. The AMD sits at 1967, the Intel at 1947, a difference of about 1%. Both land at the 44th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same performance tier.

Looking at their nearest rivals provides context. The AMD's average score of 1967 places it 0.1% below the Ryzen 3 2300X (1968) and 0.2% above the Xeon D-2712T (1964). The Intel's 1947 is 0.1% below the Core i5-1035G7 (1948) and 0.1% above the Xeon E3-1535M v5 (1945). Neither chip stands out from its immediate competition; they are both mid-pack performers.

The Verdict

If you are building a system where power draw and integrated graphics matter, the AMD Ryzen 5 2600H is the clear choice. It consumes 45W TDP versus the Intel's 80W, and it includes a Radeon Vega 8 iGPU, so you can skip a discrete graphics card for basic display output. The AMD also offers higher memory bandwidth at 51.2 GB/s compared to the Intel's 34.1 GB/s, which can help in memory-sensitive tasks.

If your priority is a server or workstation platform with ECC memory support and more PCIe lanes, the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 is the one to pick. It supports ECC memory, has 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (versus 8 on the AMD), and offers a larger 8 MB L3 cache. The Intel also has higher base and boost clocks (3.40 GHz and 3.80 GHz versus 3.20 GHz and 3.60 GHz), though the benchmark results show that clock advantage does not translate into a performance win in Cinebench.

The production status is another factor. The AMD is listed as active, while the Intel is end-of-life. For new builds, the AMD is the more future-proof option. The Intel's launch MSRP was $261, but that is historical data; the chip is no longer in production.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600H wins in scenarios that value efficiency and integration. Its 45W TDP makes it suitable for compact or mobile systems where cooling and power budgets are tight. The integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU in office or media consumption builds. The higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s) gives it an edge in workloads that stream large datasets, such as some content creation or scientific computing tasks.

The Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 wins in server and workstation environments. ECC memory support is critical for data integrity in long-running or error-sensitive applications. The 16 PCIe lanes allow for more expansion cards, such as multiple NVMe drives or network adapters. The larger 8 MB L3 cache can benefit workloads with high cache reuse, even if the Cinebench scores do not show a clear advantage. The Intel also supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, giving builders flexibility in memory selection, though the AMD only supports DDR4.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 boosts to 3.80 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600H boosts to 3.60 GHz.

Q: Does either chip support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 2600H does not.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600H has a Radeon Vega 8 iGPU. The Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel has 8 MB shared L3 cache, while the AMD has 4 MB shared L3 cache.

Q: Which processor has higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600H has a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s, compared to 34.1 GB/s for the Intel.

Q: Which processor is newer?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 2600H was released in September 2018, while the Intel Xeon E3-1230 v5 was released in October 2015.

Architecture Differences

The two chips are built on different architectures. The AMD uses the Zen architecture with the Raven Ridge codename, while the Intel uses Skylake with the Skylake-DT codename. Both are fabricated on a 14 nm process, but the AMD is made by GlobalFoundries and the Intel by Intel itself. The AMD has 4,950 million transistors on a 210 mm² die, while the Intel has 1,750 million transistors on a 122 mm² die. The AMD's larger transistor count and die size reflect its integrated graphics and more complex memory controller.

Cache layouts differ significantly. The AMD has 96 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a 4 MB shared L3. The Intel has 64 KB of L1 per core and 256 KB of L2 per core, with an 8 MB shared L3. The AMD's larger per-core L1 and L2 may help with certain workloads, but the Intel's larger L3 is a counterbalance.

Memory support is another divergence. The AMD supports only DDR4, while the Intel supports both DDR3 and DDR4. Both use a dual-channel memory bus, but the AMD's bandwidth is higher at 51.2 GB/s versus 34.1 GB/s. The Intel supports ECC memory, the AMD does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the AMD provides 8 Gen 3 lanes, the Intel provides 16 Gen 3 lanes.

The AMD includes a Radeon Vega 8 integrated GPU, while the Intel has none. This makes the AMD a more self-contained solution for systems without a discrete graphics card. The Intel is a server/workstation part, so it relies on external GPUs.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Base clock: AMD 3.20 GHz, Intel 3.40 GHz
• Boost clock: AMD 3.60 GHz, Intel 3.80 GHz
• TDP: AMD 45W, Intel 80W
• Socket: AMD Socket FP5, Intel Socket 1151
• Memory support: AMD DDR4 only, Intel DDR3 and DDR4
• Memory bandwidth: AMD 51.2 GB/s, Intel 34.1 GB/s
• ECC memory: AMD no, Intel yes
• PCIe lanes: AMD 8 Gen 3 lanes, Intel 16 Gen 3 lanes
• Integrated graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8, Intel none
• Market segment: AMD Mobile, Intel Server/Workstation
• Production status: AMD Active, Intel End-of-life
• Release date: AMD September 2018, Intel October 2015
• Launch MSRP: Intel $261 (AMD has no listed MSRP)
• Part number: AMD YM2600C3T4MFB, Intel SR2LE

Both processors have 4 cores, 8 threads, dual-channel memory, and locked multipliers. The AMD's higher memory bandwidth and lower TDP make it a more efficient choice for mobile or compact builds, while the Intel's ECC support, extra PCIe lanes, and larger L3 cache target server and workstation use cases. The benchmark data shows that in pure Cinebench performance, the AMD holds a slim but consistent lead, making it the better pick for general compute tasks when power and integration are priorities.