CPU Comparison

The Verdict

The Intel Xeon E-2186G and AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS are both 6-core, 12-thread processors, but they are built for completely different worlds. The Xeon is an end-of-life server/workstation part on Intel Socket 1151 with a 95 W TDP, while the Ryzen is an active mobile chip on AMD Socket FP6 with a 35 W TDP. The benchmark data shows a clear split: the Ryzen 5 4600HS wins 6 of the 8 head-to-head tests, all in Cinebench, while the Xeon wins both Geekbench tests. However, the average benchmark score is nearly identical, 3462 for the Xeon versus 3444 for the Ryzen, placing both at the 54th percentile of all CPUs. The real deciding factor is not raw performance but platform: if you need ECC memory, a workstation socket, and a server-grade feature set, the Xeon is the only choice. If you are building a thin, power-efficient laptop or small-form-factor system, the Ryzen is the obvious pick. The data does not support a single "best" CPU; it supports two different tools for two different jobs.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS dominates every Cinebench workload. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 1226 versus the Xeon's 1158, a 5.5% advantage. In R20 multicore, it scores 5111 versus 4826, again a 5.6% gap. The pattern repeats in R23 multicore (12171 versus 11492, 5.6%) and in every single-core Cinebench test: R15 single-core 173 versus 163 (5.8%), R20 single-core 721 versus 681 (5.5%), and R23 single-core 1718 versus 1622 (5.6%). If your workload is Cinebench-style rendering, the Ryzen wins across the board.

The Intel Xeon E-2186G wins decisively in Geekbench, which measures a broader mix of integer and floating-point tasks. In Geekbench multicore, it scores 6204 versus the Ryzen's 5135, a massive 20.8% lead. In Geekbench single-core, it scores 1550 versus 1293, a 19.9% advantage. This suggests the Xeon's architecture handles the specific Geekbench test suite much better, possibly due to higher clock speeds (4.70 GHz boost versus 4.00 GHz) and a different memory subsystem. For general-purpose productivity that resembles Geekbench, the Xeon is stronger.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different foundries and process nodes. The Intel Xeon E-2186G is built on Intel's 14 nm process with a die size of 154 mm², using the Coffee Lake architecture (codename Coffee Lake-S WS). The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS uses TSMC's 7 nm process with a 156 mm² die and packs 9,800 million transistors, based on the Zen 2 architecture (codename Renoir). Despite similar die sizes, the 7 nm node allows the Ryzen to fit far more transistors into essentially the same area.

Cache configuration differs significantly. Both have 64 KB of L1 per core, but the Xeon has 256 KB of L2 per core versus the Ryzen's 512 KB per core. The Xeon compensates with a larger shared L3: 12 MB versus the Ryzen's 8 MB. Memory bandwidth favors the Ryzen: 68.3 GB/s versus the Xeon's 42.7 GB/s, though both support dual-channel DDR4. The Xeon supports ECC memory; the Ryzen does not.

The Xeon includes HD Graphics P630 integrated graphics, while the Ryzen has Radeon RX Vega 6. Both use PCIe Gen 3, but the Xeon specifies 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen's lane count is not specified. The Xeon is a server/workstation part with a launch MSRP of $506, released in 2018. The Ryzen is a mobile part released in 2020, with no launch MSRP listed. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS wins with 12171 points versus the Intel Xeon E-2186G's 11492 points, a 5.6% advantage.

Q: How do they compare in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2186G is significantly ahead, scoring 6204 versus the Ryzen's 5135, a 20.8% lead.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E-2186G supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS does not.

Q: What are the TDPs of these two processors?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2186G has a 95 W TDP, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS has a 35 W TDP. The Ryzen is designed for mobile use.

Q: Which CPU has more L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2186G has 12 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS has 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2186G has an average benchmark score of 3462, and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS scores 3444. Both rank at the 54th percentile of all CPUs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are remarkably consistent within each test family. In Cinebench, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS wins all six tests by nearly identical margins. The smallest gap is 5.5% in R15 multicore (1226 versus 1158) and R20 single-core (721 versus 681). The largest single-core gap is 5.8% in R15 single-core (173 versus 163). Every other Cinebench test shows a 5.6% margin: R20 multicore (5111 versus 4826), R23 multicore (12171 versus 11492), and R23 single-core (1718 versus 1622). This uniformity suggests the Ryzen's architectural efficiency on the 7 nm process gives it a consistent edge in rendering workloads.

The Geekbench results flip the script entirely. The Intel Xeon E-2186G wins Geekbench multicore by 20.8% (6204 versus 5135) and Geekbench single-core by 19.9% (1550 versus 1293). These are the largest margins in the entire comparison, and they are nearly double the Ryzen's Cinebench wins. The Xeon's higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz versus 4.00 GHz likely plays a role, but the gap is too large to explain by clock speed alone. The Xeon's 12 MB L3 cache and different memory subsystem may benefit Geekbench's specific workload mix.

The overall win count favors the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS: 6 wins versus 2 for the Intel Xeon E-2186G. However, the average benchmark score tells a different story, the Xeon's average of 3462 is slightly higher than the Ryzen's 3444, a difference of only 0.5%. The Xeon's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-9700F with an average score of 3464 (0% delta), while the Ryzen's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-5960X with 3442 (0% delta). Both chips sit in a tight cluster of mid-range performers, surrounded by the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 7730U (3456), AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS (3447), and Intel Core i7-10870H (3446).

Specification Differences

The table below lists only the fields where the two processors differ:

| Field | Intel Xeon E-2186G | AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS |

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

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

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-S WS | Renoir |

| Generation | Xeon E (Coffee Lake) | Ryzen 5 (Zen 2 (Renoir)) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 9,800 million |

| Die Size | 154 mm² | 156 mm² |

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

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

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

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

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

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

| Release Date | 2018-05-30 | 2020-01-05 |

| Launch MSRP | $506 | Not specified |

| Part Number | SR3WR | Not specified |

Notable differences not in the table: both have 6 cores and 12 threads, 64 KB L1 per core, dual-channel DDR4 memory support, and locked multipliers. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $506. The Ryzen has no launch MSRP listed. The Xeon is end-of-life, while the Ryzen remains active in production.