CPU Comparison
AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS
Xeon E-2236
PERFORMANCE BENCHMARKS
Analysis: AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS vs Intel Xeon E-2236
The Verdict
The benchmark data splits this comparison cleanly down the middle, with each processor taking two wins in the head-to-head tests. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS dominates in the older Cinebench R15 suite, leading by 31.6% in multi-core and 33.5% in single-core. The Intel Xeon E-2236 reverses that trend in Cinebench R23, finishing 18.9% ahead in multi-core and 17.8% ahead in single-core. Given the tied 2-2 win count and the fact that both CPUs sit at the 54th percentile of all CPUs, the choice comes down to workload and platform. The Ryzen 5 5600HS is a mobile part with a 35W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 7 graphics, making it the pick for a compact, power-conscious system. The Xeon E-2236 is an end-of-life server/workstation chip with an 80W TDP, ECC memory support, and UHD Graphics P630; it suits a stationary workstation where ECC reliability matters more than energy efficiency. If you prioritize the R15 results, choose AMD; if you trust the R23 results, choose Intel. The data does not declare a single winner.
Architecture Differences
The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS uses the Zen 3 architecture on TSMC's 7nm process node, with a die size of 180 mm² and 10,700 million transistors. Its codename is Cezanne, and it belongs to the 5000 series, marketed as a mobile part on AMD Socket FP6. The Intel Xeon E-2236 uses the Coffee Lake architecture on Intel's 14nm process, with a smaller die of 154 mm² and no transistor count listed. It carries the codename Coffee Lake-S WS and belongs to the Xeon E-2200 series, targeting the server/workstation segment on Intel Socket 1151.
Both CPUs offer 6 cores and 12 threads, but their cache layouts differ. The AMD part provides 64 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, plus 16 MB of shared L3. The Intel part matches the 64 KB L1 per core but halves the L2 to 256 KB per core and reduces shared L3 to 12 MB. Memory support is DDR4 for both, with dual-channel buses, but the AMD chip delivers 68.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth versus 42.7 GB/s for Intel. ECC memory is absent on the AMD part but present on the Intel Xeon. Integrated graphics differ: AMD uses Radeon Vega 7, Intel uses UHD Graphics P630. Both support PCIe Gen 3, with the Intel listing 16 lanes from the CPU only. The AMD part remains in active production, while the Intel Xeon is end-of-life. Release dates show the AMD launched on 2021-01-11, the Intel on 2019-05-28.
Head-to-Head Benchmarks
The Cinebench R15 multi-core test is a decisive win for the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS. It scores 1563 against the Intel Xeon E-2236's 1188, a 31.6% advantage. This is a substantial margin, indicating the Zen 3 architecture handles the older rendering workload far more efficiently. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: AMD scores 223, Intel scores 167, with AMD ahead by 33.5%. For users running legacy applications that rely on R15-style workloads, the AMD part is clearly superior.
The Cinebench R23 results flip the narrative. In multi-core, the Intel Xeon E-2236 scores 11792 against AMD's 9564, an 18.9% lead. The single-core R23 test shows Intel at 1664 versus AMD's 1367, a 17.8% margin. This suggests the newer R23 benchmark favors Intel's higher clock speeds, the Xeon boosts to 4.80 GHz versus the Ryzen's 4.20 GHz. The base clocks also favor Intel: 3.40 GHz versus 3.00 GHz. The data indicates that the Intel part scales better in the more demanding R23 rendering test, while AMD wins in the older R15 suite. Notably, the average benchmark scores are close: AMD averages 3447, Intel averages 3410, a difference of roughly 1%. The nearest rival data reinforces this parity, AMD's closest competitor is the Intel Core i7-10870H with an average score of 3446 (0% delta), while Intel's closest rival is the Intel Xeon E-2146G at 3410 (0% delta). Both CPUs sit at the 54th percentile of all CPUs.
Specification Differences
The two processors differ in several key specification fields. The base clock is 3.00 GHz for AMD and 3.40 GHz for Intel. The boost clock is 4.20 GHz for AMD and 4.80 GHz for Intel. Thermal design power is drastically different: 35W for the AMD mobile chip versus 80W for the Intel workstation chip. The process node is 7nm for AMD (TSMC foundry) and 14nm for Intel (Intel foundry). Die size is 180 mm² for AMD and 154 mm² for Intel; transistor count is 10,700 million for AMD, with no figure listed for Intel. L2 cache is 512 KB per core on AMD versus 256 KB per core on Intel. L3 cache is 16 MB shared on AMD versus 12 MB shared on Intel. Memory bandwidth is 68.3 GB/s on AMD versus 42.7 GB/s on Intel. ECC memory support is false on AMD and true on Intel. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 7 on AMD and UHD Graphics P630 on Intel. The market segment is Mobile for AMD and Server/Workstation for Intel. Production status is Active for AMD and End-of-life for Intel. Release dates are 2021-01-11 for AMD and 2019-05-28 for Intel. The socket is AMD Socket FP6 for AMD and Intel Socket 1151 for Intel. The Intel part has a launch MSRP of $284; the AMD part has no launch MSRP listed. Both are multiplier-unlocked: false.
FAQ
Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head data?
A: The head-to-head results are split exactly evenly. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS wins both Cinebench R15 tests (multi-core and single-core), and the Intel Xeon E-2236 wins both Cinebench R23 tests (multi-core and single-core). The win count is 2-2.
Q: How large is AMD's lead in Cinebench R15 multicore?
A: AMD scores 1563 versus Intel's 1188, giving AMD a 31.6% advantage in the Cinebench R15 multi-core test.
Q: How large is Intel's lead in Cinebench R23 multicore?
A: Intel scores 11792 versus AMD's 9564, giving Intel an 18.9% lead in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test.
Q: Do these processors have the same core and thread counts?
A: Yes, both have 6 cores and 12 threads. However, they differ in cache: AMD provides 512 KB of L2 per core and 16 MB of shared L3, while Intel provides 256 KB of L2 per core and 12 MB of shared L3.
Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2236 support ECC memory?
A: Yes, ECC memory support is listed as true for the Intel Xeon E-2236. The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS does not support ECC memory.
Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?
A: The Intel Xeon E-2236 has both a higher base clock (3.40 GHz versus 3.00 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.80 GHz versus 4.20 GHz).
Q: What is the production status of each processor?
A: The AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS is listed as Active in production, while the Intel Xeon E-2236 is listed as End-of-life.
Where Each One Wins
AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS wins in legacy rendering and efficiency. The Cinebench R15 results are a clear AMD victory: 31.6% ahead in multi-core and 33.5% ahead in single-core. This makes the AMD part the better choice for software that still relies on older rendering paths or for users who want maximum performance per watt. The 35W TDP is less than half of Intel's 80W, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops or compact builds where heat and power draw matter. The AMD part also delivers 68.3 GB/s of memory bandwidth versus Intel's 42.7 GB/s, which can help in memory-sensitive workloads. It remains in active production with a newer 2021 release date, so it is a more future-proof option for mobile platforms.
Intel Xeon E-2236 wins in modern rendering and workstation reliability. The Cinebench R23 results show Intel ahead by 18.9% in multi-core and 17.8% in single-core. This suggests the higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz translates directly into better performance in the newer benchmark suite. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which is critical for error-sensitive server or workstation tasks where data corruption is unacceptable. Its 12 MB of shared L3 and 256 KB per-core L2 are smaller than AMD's, but the clock speed advantage compensates in R23. The 80W TDP and server/workstation market segment indicate it is designed for a stationary, power-rich environment. The launch MSRP of $284 gives it a listed price point, and its end-of-life status means it may be available at reduced cost from existing stock, though pricing data beyond launch MSRP is not provided.
The split decision comes down to benchmark generation and platform. In the older R15 suite, AMD wins decisively; in the newer R23 suite, Intel wins by a similar margin. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical (3447 for AMD, 3410 for Intel), and both sit at the 54th percentile of all CPUs. If your software uses R15-style workloads, the AMD Ryzen 5 5600HS is the data-backed choice. If your software uses R23-style workloads, the Intel Xeon E-2236 is the data-backed choice. For a mobile, low-power system with integrated graphics, AMD wins. For a workstation with ECC memory and higher clock speeds, Intel wins. The data does not favor one CPU overall; it favors matching the processor to the workload.