CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS and Intel Xeon E-2146G are both 6-core, 12-thread processors, yet they occupy opposite ends of the design spectrum: one is a 35W mobile part built on TSMC’s 7nm process, the other an 80W workstation/server chip on Intel’s 14nm node. Benchmark results show a fragmented picture, with the AMD chip winning four of six head-to-head tests while the Intel part takes the two most recent Cinebench workloads. The data indicates that the Ryzen 5 5600HS leads in older and Geekbench tests by margins ranging from 1.8% to 40.3%, while the Xeon E-2146G counters in Cinebench R23 with a 14.7% multi-core and 13.6% single-core advantage.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The largest victory belongs to the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it scores 223 against the Xeon’s 159, a 40.3% lead. This is a decisive gap, more than double the margin seen in any other test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD chip again dominates, scoring 1563 versus 1130, a 38.3% advantage. These two results suggest that in the Cinebench R15 workload, the Ryzen’s Zen 3 architecture and higher per-core efficiency deliver substantial performance that the Coffee Lake-based Xeon cannot match.

The Geekbench results are closer. The Ryzen 5 5600HS edges out the Xeon in multi-core with 6395 against 6283, a modest 1.8% delta. In single-core Geekbench, the AMD part scores 1569 versus 1540, a 1.9% lead. These narrow margins indicate that in a more modern, less cache-sensitive benchmark, the two processors are nearly equivalent despite their architectural differences.

The Intel Xeon E-2146G fights back in Cinebench R23. In the multi-core test, it scores 11214 against the Ryzen’s 9564, a 14.7% advantage. The single-core R23 result shows the Xeon at 1583 versus 1367, a 13.6% lead. Notably, the Xeon’s R23 single-core score of 1583 is higher than its R15 single-core score of 159, while the Ryzen’s R23 single-core score of 1367 is lower than its R15 score of 223, this inversion across benchmark generations highlights how workload characteristics and optimizations can flip the ranking.

The overall benchmark average favors the AMD part: 3447 versus 3410, a difference of about 1.1%. Both CPUs sit at the 54th percentile of all CPUs, meaning they are statistically peers in the broader performance distribution. The Ryzen’s nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-10870H with an average score of 3446 (0% delta), while the Xeon’s closest competitor is the Intel Xeon E-2236 at 3410 (0% delta). This places both chips in a crowded mid-tier performance band.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2146G has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS boosts to 4.20 GHz.

Q: Does the Xeon E-2146G support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2146G supports ECC memory (eccMemory: true), whereas the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS does not (eccMemory: false).

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS has a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G offers 42.7 GB/s, a 60% higher figure for the AMD part.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS has 16 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G has 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2146G wins with a score of 11214 against the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS’s 9564, a 14.7% advantage for Intel.

Q: Is the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS still in production?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS has an active production status, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G is marked as end-of-life.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear split based on workload and platform priorities. For users running Cinebench R15 workloads, or those who prioritize Geekbench performance, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS is the stronger choice, winning four of the six head-to-head tests. Its 40.3% single-core and 38.3% multi-core R15 leads are overwhelming, and its 1.8% and 1.9% Geekbench margins, while smaller, still go in AMD’s favor.

For users running Cinebench R23, the Intel Xeon E-2146G is the better performer, with a 14.7% multi-core and 13.6% single-core advantage. The Xeon also brings ECC memory support, a feature absent from the AMD part, and a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz versus 4.20 GHz. However, the Xeon’s end-of-life status and higher 80W TDP, more than double the Ryzen’s 35W, are significant drawbacks for any system where power efficiency or long-term availability matters.

The average benchmark scores (3447 for AMD, 3410 for Intel) place both at the 54th percentile, meaning neither is a class leader. The Ryzen 5 5600HS is the better all-rounder for general mobile computing, while the Xeon E-2146G is a niche workstation part with a specific advantage in R23 and ECC support. The choice hinges on whether the R23 edge and ECC capability outweigh the R15 dominance, lower power draw, and active production of the AMD chip.

Specification Differences

The most glaring difference is TDP: the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS draws 35W, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G consumes 80W. This 45W gap reflects the mobile versus workstation design split. The AMD part has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost of 4.20 GHz; the Intel chip runs at 3.50 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. The Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6, the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151. Memory bandwidth also differs sharply: 68.3 GB/s for AMD versus 42.7 GB/s for Intel. Both support dual-channel DDR4, but only the Xeon has ECC memory support. The AMD part features Radeon Vega 7 integrated graphics, while the Intel chip includes HD Graphics P630. The Ryzen is in the mobile market segment with active production, released on 2021-01-11; the Xeon targets server/workstation, is end-of-life, and was released on 2018-07-11. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $317. The AMD part has a part number of 100-000000296, the Intel part SR3WT. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS is built on TSMC’s 7nm process using the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne. It packs 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E-2146G uses Intel’s 14nm process with the Coffee Lake architecture, codenamed Coffee Lake-S WS, on a 154 mm² die; transistor count is not listed for the Xeon. Cache configurations differ: both have 64 KB L1 per core, but the Ryzen has 512 KB L2 per core versus 256 KB on the Xeon. L3 cache is 16 MB shared on the AMD part versus 12 MB shared on the Intel chip. Both support PCIe Gen 3, but the Xeon specifies 16 lanes (CPU only). The Ryzen’s memory bandwidth advantage (68.3 vs 42.7 GB/s) is a direct result of the newer architecture and process node.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS wins in Cinebench R15 multi-core (1563 vs 1130), Cinebench R15 single-core (223 vs 159), Geekbench multi-core (6395 vs 6283), and Geekbench single-core (1569 vs 1540). This makes it the recommended part for users running legacy Cinebench versions or Geekbench-based evaluations. Its 68.3 GB/s memory bandwidth and 16 MB L3 cache likely contribute to these wins, alongside the more efficient Zen 3 architecture and 7nm process.

The Intel Xeon E-2146G wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core (11214 vs 9564) and Cinebench R23 single-core (1583 vs 1367). It also offers ECC memory support, a feature the AMD part lacks, and a higher boost clock (4.50 vs 4.20 GHz). For workstation workloads that use the R23 benchmark or require error-correcting memory, the Xeon is the appropriate choice despite its higher power draw and end-of-life status. The data shows that the Xeon’s R23 lead is substantial, but it is isolated to that benchmark generation, making it a specialized win rather than a general performance advantage.