AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE vs Intel Xeon E-2278G Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data paints an unusual picture: these two processors are nearly inseparable in raw compute benchmarks, despite their very different designs. Across the six head-to-head Cinebench tests, the Intel Xeon E-2278G and AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE each claim three wins, with every margin sitting at 0% or -0.1%. The AMD part edges ahead by a single point in Cinebench R15 multicore (1361 vs 1360) and by two points in R20 multicore (5672 vs 5670), while the Intel part takes the single-core categories, though only by zero-point deltas in R15, R20, and R23.

The real differentiation appears outside the Cinebench suite. The Intel Xeon E-2278G has additional Geekbench results in the database: a multicore score of 7354 and a single-core score of 1633. No corresponding Geekbench entries exist for the Ryzen 5 4600GE, which means the Intel chip has a measurable advantage in that workload category, though the database does not provide a direct comparison score for the AMD part.

Where each wins depends on the workload context. The Xeon E-2278G is classified as a Server/Workstation segment part with an end-of-life production status, while the Ryzen 5 4600GE is an active Desktop segment part. The Intel chip targets multithreaded workstation tasks with its 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD chip, despite having fewer cores (6 cores, 12 threads), manages to match it in Cinebench multicore tests, an outcome that suggests architectural efficiency differences. The AMD part also carries a far lower thermal envelope, which shifts its advantage toward power-constrained or compact systems, while the Intel part's higher core count and workstation classification point toward sustained multi-threaded throughput.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design lineages. The Intel Xeon E-2278G uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, built on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 180 mm². The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE uses the Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename, manufactured on TSMC's 7 nm process with a die size of 156 mm² and 9,800 million transistors.

Cache hierarchies differ noticeably. Both share 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: the Intel part has 256 KB per core while the AMD part has 512 KB per core, doubling the per-core L2. The L3 cache goes the other direction, with the Intel chip offering 16 MB shared versus 8 MB shared on the AMD chip. That gives the Xeon a 2x advantage in total L3 capacity, while the Ryzen compensates with larger L2 slices per core.

Memory bandwidth figures also diverge. The Intel platform supports dual-channel DDR4 with a recorded 42.7 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD platform also supports dual-channel DDR4 but reaches 51.2 GB/s, a roughly 20% higher theoretical ceiling. ECC memory support is exclusive to the Intel part, which aligns with its workstation/server positioning. PCIe connectivity shows the Intel chip with Gen 3 and 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip lists Gen 3 without a lane count in the database.

Integrated graphics further separate the pair. The Intel Xeon E-2278G carries HD Graphics P630, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE includes Radeon Vega 7. The AMD part is multiplier-unlocked, whereas the Intel part is not. The sockets are incompatible: Intel Socket 1151 for the Xeon, AMD Socket AM4 for the Ryzen. The Intel part is end-of-life while the AMD part remains active in production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278G has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: They are effectively tied. The Intel part scores 13502 and the AMD part scores 13505, a delta of 0% with the AMD chip declared the winner by a 3-point margin.

Q: Which chip supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon E-2278G supports ECC memory. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE does not list ECC support in the database.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption between the two?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278G has a TDP of 95 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE has a TDP of 35 watts, a difference of 60 watts.

Q: Are the two processors compatible with the same motherboard socket?

A: No. The Intel chip uses Intel Socket 1151, while the AMD chip uses AMD Socket AM4.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278G boosts to 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE boosts to 4.20 GHz. The base clocks are closer: 3.40 GHz for Intel and 3.30 GHz for AMD.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2278G | AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE |

|---|---|---|

| Cores | 8 | 6 |

| Threads | 16 | 12 |

| Base clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket AM4 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen 2 |

| Process node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die size | 180 mm² | 156 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 9,800 million |

| L2 cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 16 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated graphics | HD Graphics P630 | Radeon Vega 7 |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production status | End-of-life | Active |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Release date | 2019-05-28 | 2020-07-20 |

| Launch MSRP | $494 | Not listed |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data is remarkably close. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE scores 1361 against the Intel Xeon E-2278G's 1360, a delta of -0.1% favoring AMD. In R15 single-core, both hit exactly 192, with the Intel part declared the winner at a 0% delta.

Cinebench R20 multicore shows AMD ahead again: 5672 versus 5670, a 0% delta. R20 single-core is a dead tie at 800, with Intel taking the nominal win. Cinebench R23 multicore repeats the pattern: AMD scores 13505 against Intel's 13502, a 0% delta, while R23 single-core is another exact tie at 1906 with Intel credited the win.

The broader benchmark picture adds context. The Intel Xeon E-2278G shows an average benchmark score of 4052 across all recorded tests, with a percentile rank of 57 among all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE shows an average benchmark score of 3906, with a percentile rank of 56. That puts the Intel part slightly ahead in the aggregate, about 3.7% higher average score, though the AMD part's average includes fewer recorded benchmark entries.

Nearest rival data provides further positioning. The Intel Xeon E-2278G sits within 1% of the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X (4073 avg, -0.5% delta), the Intel Core i5-12500TE (4083 avg, -0.8% delta), the Intel Core i5-12400T (4019 avg, 0.8% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 5 PRO 4655G (4010 avg, 1% delta). The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE sits within 1.1% of the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS (3924 avg, -0.5% delta), the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2718 (3875 avg, 0.8% delta), the Intel Xeon E-2278GE (3939 avg, -0.8% delta), and the Intel Core i7-11700T (3864 avg, 1.1% delta). Notably, the Intel Xeon E-2278GE, a close relative of the E-2278G, appears as a rival to the AMD chip, reinforcing how tightly clustered these processors are in the database's scoring.

The Verdict

The data suggests that raw compute performance should not be the deciding factor between these two processors, because the recorded Cinebench results are virtually identical. The Intel Xeon E-2278G and AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE trade single-point and two-point margins across all six head-to-head tests, and both single-core and multicore scores land within a rounding error of each other.

Instead, the choice hinges on platform and workload characteristics. The Intel Xeon E-2278G offers more cores (8 vs 6), more threads (16 vs 12), a higher boost clock (5.00 GHz vs 4.20 GHz), a larger L3 cache (16 MB vs 8 MB), ECC memory support, and a workstation/server market classification. It also holds the only recorded Geekbench results in this comparison, with a multicore score of 7354 and a single-core score of 1633. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE counters with a dramatically lower TDP (35 W vs 95 W), a smaller 7 nm process node, larger per-core L2 cache (512 KB vs 256 KB), higher memory bandwidth (51.2 GB/s vs 42.7 GB/s), an unlocked multiplier, and an active production status.

Buyers needing ECC memory, maximum core count, or the higher single-core boost clock should look to the Intel part, especially given its server/workstation positioning. Buyers prioritizing power efficiency, modern process technology, or overclocking capability should favor the AMD part, which achieves parity in Cinebench while drawing 60 fewer watts. The Intel chip carries a recorded launch MSRP of $494, while no launch MSRP is listed for the AMD chip. The Intel part is end-of-life, which may matter for long-term availability, whereas the AMD part remains active. On pure benchmark scores, the average favors Intel by roughly 146 points, but the head-to-head Cinebench data shows no meaningful winner. Choose by platform needs, not by the benchmark table.