CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS and Intel Xeon E-2146G are both 6-core, 12-thread processors, but they target completely different segments and deliver their performance in opposing ways. The data shows a clear split: the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS dominates the Cinebench suite, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G takes the Geekbench crown. This makes the choice between them entirely dependent on which workloads you prioritize, as the benchmark results indicate they are not interchangeable.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is the definitive winner in rendering and sustained multi-threaded workloads. Across the entire Cinebench family, R15, R20, and R23, the Ryzen part wins both multi-core and single-core tests. The margins are remarkably consistent, with the AMD processor holding an 8.5% to 8.8% advantage in every single Cinebench test. This consistency suggests an architectural efficiency that scales evenly across different rendering engines and thread counts. For users running CPU-based rendering, video encoding, or any workload that uses the Cinebench-style instruction mix, the Ryzen 5 4600HS is the clear pick.

The Intel Xeon E-2146G wins decisively in Geekbench, both single-core and multi-core. The Intel part scores 16% higher in Geekbench single-core and a massive 18.3% higher in Geekbench multi-core. Geekbench’s workload mix includes a broader set of real-world tasks like image processing, encryption, and physics simulation. The data shows that in these types of diverse, mixed workloads, the Xeon’s higher clock speeds and older architecture are more beneficial. The Xeon E-2146G is the better choice for general productivity, software compilation, and tasks that rely on Geekbench-style integer and floating-point performance.

The core split is stark: AMD wins 6 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, all Cinebench tests, while Intel wins 2, both Geekbench tests. The AMD processor’s wins are narrow but universal in its favored suite, while the Intel processor’s wins are larger but confined to a single benchmark suite. The average benchmark score reflects this, with the Ryzen 5 4600HS at 3444 and the Xeon E-2146G at 3410, putting the AMD part about 1% ahead overall, a negligible difference that masks the very large per-benchmark swings.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs come from different eras and design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is built on a 7 nm TSMC process using the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Renoir. This is a mobile-first design with a 35 W TDP, targeting thin-and-light laptops. The Intel Xeon E-2146G is a 14 nm Intel part using the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically Coffee Lake-S WS, designed for servers and workstations. It has a much higher 80 W TDP and is end-of-life, while the AMD part is still active in production.

The core layout differs significantly. The AMD chip has 512 KB of L2 cache per core, double the Xeon’s 256 KB per core. However, the Intel chip has a larger shared L3 cache at 12 MB, compared to the AMD’s 8 MB. The AMD processor’s process node advantage is clear, with 7 nm versus 14 nm, allowing it to achieve competitive performance at less than half the TDP. The transistor count and die size are similar, with the AMD at 9,800 million transistors and 156 mm², while the Intel is 154 mm² with no transistor count listed.

Memory support also differs. Both support dual-channel DDR4, but the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS has a much higher memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s compared to the Intel Xeon’s 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which is a critical feature for workstation reliability, while the AMD part does not. Both use PCIe Gen 3, but the Intel lists 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD does not specify a lane count. The integrated graphics differ as well, with the AMD using Radeon RX Vega 6 and the Intel using HD Graphics P630.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results show a consistent pattern. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS scores 1226 versus the Intel Xeon E-2146G’s 1130, an 8.5% lead. The single-core R15 test shows a similar 8.8% advantage, with scores of 173 and 159 respectively. Moving to Cinebench R20, the AMD wins multi-core 5111 to 4709, again 8.5% ahead, and single-core 721 to 664, an 8.6% lead. The R23 results mirror this exactly: the AMD scores 12171 to the Intel’s 11214 in multi-core, and 1718 to 1583 in single-core, both 8.5% wins for AMD.

The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. In Geekbench multi-core, the Intel Xeon E-2146G scores 6283 against the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS’s 5135, a decisive 18.3% victory for Intel. The single-core Geekbench test also goes to Intel, 1540 versus 1293, a 16% margin. These are not small differences; the Intel processor is significantly faster in these tests. The contrast is stark when you consider that the AMD processor wins all six Cinebench tests by about 8.5%, but the Intel processor wins both Geekbench tests by roughly double that margin.

This data suggests that the AMD processor’s Zen 2 architecture is more efficient at the sustained, floating-point-heavy rendering workloads in Cinebench, while the Intel processor’s higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz (versus 4.00 GHz) and higher base clock of 3.50 GHz (versus 3.00 GHz) give it an edge in shorter, more varied Geekbench tasks. The Intel part’s 12 MB of L3 cache may also help in workloads that benefit from larger shared cache pools.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is faster, scoring 12171 compared to the Intel Xeon E-2146G’s 11214, an 8.5% advantage for AMD.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2146G win any benchmark?

A: Yes, the Intel processor wins both Geekbench tests, scoring 6283 in multi-core and 1540 in single-core, compared to the AMD’s 5135 and 1293, respectively.

Q: Which CPU has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS has a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G has 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Can the Intel Xeon E-2146G be used in a system requiring error correction?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2146G supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS does not.

Q: Which processor has a lower thermal design power?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS has a TDP of 35 W, which is significantly lower than the Intel Xeon E-2146G’s 80 W.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS has an average benchmark score of 3444, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G has 3410, a difference of about 1% in favor of AMD.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear decision based on workload. For rendering, content creation, and any task that relies on Cinebench-style performance, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is the superior choice, delivering an 8.5% advantage across all three Cinebench versions. Its 7 nm process and higher memory bandwidth also make it a much more power-efficient option, with a 35 W TDP versus the Xeon’s 80 W. For a mobile workstation or a compact system where rendering performance per watt is critical, the AMD part is the answer.

The Intel Xeon E-2146G is the pick for general-purpose workstation tasks that resemble Geekbench’s workload mix. Its 16% to 18.3% lead in Geekbench is substantial and indicates better performance in diverse, mixed workloads such as software development, office productivity, and multi-tasking. The Xeon also brings ECC memory support, which is non-negotiable for data integrity in professional environments. The Intel part is end-of-life, but for a static workstation build requiring ECC and strong general performance, it remains a viable option.

Ultimately, the benchmark results indicate that the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is the better rendering processor, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G is the better general-purpose and ECC-capable processor. The average scores are nearly identical, but the performance profiles could not be more different. Choose based on the benchmark suite that matches your primary applications.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS | Intel Xeon E-2146G |

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

| Series | 4000 series | Xeon E-2100 series |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Coffee Lake |

| Codename | Renoir | Coffee Lake-S WS |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 35 W | 80 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FP6 | Intel Socket 1151 |

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

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 68.3 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon RX Vega 6 | HD Graphics P630 |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2020-01-05 | 2018-07-11 |

| Part Number | Not listed | SR3WT |