CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS and the Intel Xeon E-2236 are both 6-core, 12-thread processors, but they target fundamentally different market segments: the former is a mobile part designed for thin-and-light laptops, while the latter is a workstation/server chip for socketed systems. Benchmark results show a consistent, narrow advantage for the AMD processor across all tested workloads, despite the Intel part's higher clock speeds. The data presents a clear picture of efficiency versus raw frequency, with the Zen 2 mobile chip edging out the Coffee Lake workstation part in every measured category.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison is remarkably one-sided, with the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS winning all six benchmark tests. The margins are consistent, hovering around 3% in every category. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the AMD scores 1226 against the Intel's 1188, a 3.2% lead. The single-core test tells a similar story: 173 for AMD versus 167 for Intel, a 3.6% advantage. These patterns repeat in newer Cinebench versions. In R20 multicore, the scores are 5111 versus 4952 (3.2% delta), and in R20 single-core, 721 versus 698 (3.3% delta). The latest Cinebench R23 results show 12171 against 11792 in multicore and 1718 against 1664 in single-core, both with a 3.2% delta.

The one-sided nature of these results is notable because the Intel Xeon E-2236 has a higher base clock (3.40 GHz vs 3.00 GHz) and a much higher boost clock (4.80 GHz vs 4.00 GHz). Despite the 20% advantage in maximum boost frequency, the AMD processor still manages to outperform the Intel chip in single-core tests. This suggests the Zen 2 architecture's instructions-per-clock (IPC) advantage is substantial enough to overcome the raw clock-speed deficit. The fact that the gap is nearly identical across both single-core and multi-core tests, always between 3.2% and 3.6%, indicates the advantage scales uniformly across all core counts.

It is also worth noting that the AMD processor does not have a Geekbench score listed for the Intel part, so the analysis is limited to Cinebench tests. The average benchmark score for the AMD is 3444, compared to 3410 for the Intel, placing both at the 54th percentile among all CPUs. The AMD's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-5960X at 3442, while the Intel Xeon's nearest rival is the Intel Xeon E-2146G at 3410, showing both parts sit in a tightly clustered performance band.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is significant. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is built on a 7 nm process node at TSMC, while the Intel Xeon E-2236 uses a 14 nm node at Intel's own foundry. This process advantage allows the AMD chip to pack 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die, whereas the Intel chip's transistor count is not listed but its die size is similar at 154 mm². The smaller process node is a primary reason the AMD part achieves comparable or better performance while consuming less than half the power.

The core architectures themselves are entirely different generations. The AMD uses Zen 2, codenamed Renoir, part of the Ryzen 5 4000 series. The Intel uses Coffee Lake, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, part of the Xeon E-2200 series. The cache configurations differ notably: both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the AMD has 512 KB of L2 per core versus 256 KB on the Intel. The L3 cache is where the Intel part pulls ahead in total capacity: 12 MB shared versus 8 MB shared on the AMD. This larger L3 cache on the Intel chip does not translate into a performance win in the tested benchmarks.

Memory support is a key differentiator. Both support DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, but the AMD has a significantly higher theoretical memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s on the Intel. The AMD also lacks ECC memory support, while the Intel Xeon explicitly supports ECC, which is a critical feature for workstation reliability. Both use PCIe Gen 3, but the Intel specifies 16 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD does not specify lane count. The integrated graphics differ as well: the AMD has a Radeon RX Vega 6, while the Intel has a UHD Graphics P630.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the benchmark data, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS wins in every single tested scenario. There is no category in which the Intel Xeon E-2236 outperforms the AMD part. The wins for the AMD are consistent across all Cinebench versions, covering both R15, R20, and R23 for both single-core and multi-core workloads. This means for rendering tasks, 3D modeling, video encoding, and general productivity, the AMD chip holds a small but repeatable advantage.

However, the Intel Xeon E-2236's strengths lie outside the benchmark suite. Its ECC memory support makes it suitable for error-sensitive workstation tasks where data integrity is paramount, such as financial modeling or scientific computing. The Intel part also has a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz, which could theoretically benefit lightly threaded workloads that are not well-represented by these specific Cinebench tests. The larger 12 MB L3 cache might also help in certain database or server workloads that exhibit high cache locality, though this is not reflected in the benchmark data.

The AMD chip's wins are particularly meaningful given its power envelope. With a TDP of 35 watts versus 80 watts for the Intel, the AMD achieves superior performance while consuming less than half the power. This makes it a clear winner for any mobile or power-constrained scenario. The AMD also has the advantage of being an active production part, while the Intel is end-of-life, meaning the AMD has a longer expected availability horizon.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals several key differences between the two processors. The most striking is the TDP: the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is rated at 35 watts, while the Intel Xeon E-2236 is rated at 80 watts, a 45-watt gap that explains the AMD's suitability for mobile devices. The socket types are incompatible: the AMD uses AMD Socket FP6, while the Intel uses Intel Socket 1151. The process nodes differ as discussed: 7 nm TSMC versus 14 nm Intel.

Clock speeds favor the Intel part: 3.40 GHz base and 4.80 GHz boost versus 3.00 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost on the AMD. The cache hierarchy differs in L2 (512 KB per core AMD versus 256 KB per core Intel) and L3 (8 MB AMD versus 12 MB Intel). Memory bandwidth is substantially higher on the AMD at 68.3 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s. ECC support is exclusive to the Intel Xeon. The market segments are entirely different: Mobile for AMD, Server/Workstation for Intel. The production status differs: Active for AMD, End-of-life for Intel. The Intel has a launch MSRP of $284, while the AMD does not have one listed. The Intel has a part number SRF7G, which the AMD lacks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core performance?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS wins all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 1718 versus 1664 for the Intel Xeon E-2236, a 3.2% advantage. The R20 single-core test shows 721 versus 698, a 3.3% lead.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2236 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2236 has ECC memory support, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS does not. This is a key differentiator for workstation reliability use cases.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS has a TDP of 35 watts, while the Intel Xeon E-2236 has a TDP of 80 watts. The AMD chip delivers higher benchmark scores while consuming less than half the power.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2236 has a larger L3 cache at 12 MB shared, compared to 8 MB shared on the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS. However, the AMD has a larger L2 cache at 512 KB per core versus 256 KB per core on the Intel.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboard?

A: No. The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS uses AMD Socket FP6, while the Intel Xeon E-2236 uses Intel Socket 1151. They are not interchangeable.

Q: Which processor has a higher memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS has a significantly higher memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, compared to 42.7 GB/s for the Intel Xeon E-2236. Both support dual-channel DDR4 memory.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS outperforms the Intel Xeon E-2236 in every benchmark test recorded. The AMD wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with margins between 3.2% and 3.6%. This is despite the Intel chip having a higher base clock (3.40 GHz versus 3.00 GHz) and a much higher boost clock (4.80 GHz versus 4.00 GHz). The AMD's 7 nm Zen 2 architecture clearly provides superior instructions-per-clock and memory bandwidth (68.3 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s), which more than compensates for the clock-speed deficit.

For mobile users seeking maximum performance in a thin-and-light laptop, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is the clear choice. It wins all benchmarks while consuming only 35 watts, making it exceptionally power-efficient. Its active production status also means it remains a viable new purchase option. The Intel Xeon E-2236, being end-of-life, offers less long-term availability.

The Intel Xeon E-2236 does have specific advantages that are not reflected in the benchmark suite: ECC memory support and a larger 12 MB L3 cache. These features matter for workstation/server environments where data integrity and specific cache-sensitive workloads are prioritized over raw Cinebench scores. However, for any user whose primary concern is benchmark performance, whether single-core or multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 5 4600HS is the superior processor in this comparison. The only scenario where the Intel chip makes sense is a socketed workstation build requiring ECC memory, where the AMD's lack of ECC support is disqualifying regardless of its performance lead.