AMD Ryzen 5 4680U vs Intel Xeon E-2144G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data presents a split picture, with each processor taking wins in different workloads. The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U claims three of the four head-to-head benchmark comparisons, while the Intel Xeon E-2144G takes the remaining one. The margins, however, are not uniform, and the context of each test matters for interpretation.

In Cinebench R15, the Ryzen 5 4680U is decisively ahead. In the multicore test, the AMD chip scores 1291 against Intel's 797, a delta of -38.3% from the Xeon's perspective, meaning the Ryzen is roughly 62% faster in that specific render test. The single-core R15 result follows a similar pattern: AMD scores 170, Intel scores 112, a delta of -34.1%. These are substantial leads, and they suggest that in older or differently optimized render workloads, the Ryzen's architecture has a clear advantage.

The picture flips in Cinebench R23. The Intel Xeon E-2144G posts a multicore score of 7910, while the Ryzen 5 4680U trails at 7073, giving Intel an 11.8% lead. This is a notable reversal, indicating that the Xeon's sustained performance under this newer test's longer duration or different instruction mix pulls ahead. In the R23 single-core test, however, AMD regains the edge with a score of 1163 versus Intel's 1116, a slim 4% margin.

Looking at the broader average benchmark score, the Intel part sits at 2514, and the AMD part at 2424. The Xeon's average is 3.7% higher, which aligns with its position in the 49th percentile versus the Ryzen's 48th percentile. These are close overall averages, but the individual test deltas show that "overall" hides significant workload-specific swings. The data indicates the Ryzen is the stronger choice for R15 generation loads, while the Xeon is the pick for R23 multicore scenarios. The single-core results are consistently in AMD's favor, though the R23 margin is narrow.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E-2144G is built on the 14 nm process at Intel's foundry, using the Coffee Lake architecture (specifically Coffee Lake-S WS). It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz. The die size is 126 mm². Cache is organized as 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is a different beast. It uses the 7 nm process at TSMC, with the Zen 2 architecture under the Renoir codename. It packs 6 cores and 12 threads, which is half again as many cores as the Xeon. However, its base clock is much lower at 2.20 GHz, boosting to 4.00 GHz. The die is larger at 156 mm², and the transistor count is listed as 9,800 million. The cache hierarchy differs as well: 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core (double the Xeon's per-core L2), and the same 8 MB shared L3.

The memory and platform specifications diverge sharply. The Xeon supports DDR4 with dual-channel memory and a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, and it has ECC memory support, which is a hallmark of its server/workstation positioning. It uses Intel Socket 1151 and provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Ryzen supports LPDDR4 with dual-channel memory and a lower bandwidth of 34.1 GB/s, and it lacks ECC support. It uses AMD Socket FP6, which is a mobile socket, and lists PCIe Gen 3 without a lane count for the CPU. The integrated graphics also differ: the Xeon has HD Graphics P630, while the Ryzen has Radeon Graphics 448SP.

The market segments are telling. The Xeon is aimed at server/workstation use, while the Ryzen is a mobile part. This is reflected in the TDP: the Xeon is rated at 71 watts, the Ryzen at 15 watts. The release dates also differ, with the Xeon launching in July 2018 and the Ryzen in April 2021. Both are end-of-life products now, but their design targets were never the same. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $272. The Ryzen has no launch MSRP listed in the database.

The Verdict

From the data, the choice is not about which is "better" in absolute terms, but which fits the workload. If the priority is Cinebench R23 multicore performance, the Intel Xeon E-2144G is the clear winner, holding an 11.8% lead over the Ryzen 5 4680U. That test is often a proxy for long, sustained compute loads, and the Xeon's higher TDP and workstation heritage likely contribute to its ability to maintain performance there.

However, if the workload matches Cinebench R15 patterns, the Ryzen 5 4680U dominates. It is 62% faster in R15 multicore and 34% faster in R15 single-core compared to the Xeon. Additionally, the Ryzen wins R23 single-core by 4%. The average benchmark scores are close, with the Xeon at 2514 and the Ryzen at 2424, but the Ryzen's wins in the older and single-threaded tests are more numerous.

For a builder looking at a server or workstation deployment where ECC memory is non-negotiable and where newer Cinebench R23 multicore loads are common, the Xeon is the practical choice. For a mobile or low-power scenario where the Ryzen's 15 watt TDP versus the Xeon's 71 watt TDP is a decisive factor, and where R15-era workloads or single-threaded responsiveness matter, the Ryzen is the pick. The data does not support one as a universal winner; it supports each for its specific segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U, with a score of 1163, is 4% ahead of the Intel Xeon E-2144G's 1116.

Q: How much faster is the Intel Xeon E-2144G in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The Xeon scores 7910 versus the Ryzen's 7073, giving it an 11.8% lead in that specific test.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two CPUs?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2144G is rated at 71 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U is rated at 15 watts.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 4680U support ECC memory?

A: No, the database lists ECC memory support as false for the Ryzen. The Xeon E-2144G does support ECC memory.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Intel Xeon E-2144G has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2144G has an average score of 2514, and the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U has an average score of 2424.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2144G wins in the Cinebench R23 multicore test, with a score of 7910 against 7073. This is its only head-to-head victory, but it is a meaningful one for sustained multi-threaded rendering. Its average benchmark score is also higher at 2514 versus 2424, and it sits at the 49th percentile compared to the Ryzen's 48th. For workloads that resemble the R23 multicore pattern, the Xeon is the stronger part.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4680U wins in three tests: Cinebench R15 multicore (1291 vs 797), Cinebench R15 single-core (170 vs 112), and Cinebench R23 single-core (1163 vs 1116). The R15 multicore win is the largest margin in the entire comparison. The Ryzen also has more cores and threads, which likely contributes to its R15 multicore dominance. Its lower TDP (15 vs 71 watts) makes it the clear choice for power-constrained or mobile environments, and its single-core performance is consistently ahead across both R15 and R23.

Specification Differences

The processors differ on nearly every specification line in the database. The Intel Xeon E-2144G uses 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4680U uses 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are 3.60 GHz for Intel and 2.20 GHz for AMD, with boost clocks of 4.50 GHz and 4.00 GHz, respectively. The TDP is 71 watts for Intel and 15 watts for AMD. Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1151 versus AMD Socket FP6. The process node is 14 nm for Intel and 7 nm for AMD, with foundries being Intel and TSMC. The die size is 126 mm² for Intel and 156 mm² for AMD, and the transistor count is listed as 9,800 million only for AMD. Memory support is DDR4 for Intel and LPDDR4 for AMD, with bandwidths of 42.7 GB/s and 34.1 GB/s. ECC support is true for Intel and false for AMD. PCIe is listed as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only) for Intel, and just Gen 3 for AMD. Integrated graphics are HD Graphics P630 for Intel and Radeon Graphics 448SP for AMD. The market segment is server/workstation for Intel and mobile for AMD. Release dates are July 2018 for Intel and April 2021 for AMD. The cache differs only in L2 size: 256 KB per core for Intel versus 512 KB per core for AMD, with L1 at 64 KB per core and L3 at 8 MB shared for both.