AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT vs Intel Xeon E-2246G Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT and Intel Xeon E-2246G occupy similar average benchmark territory but achieve it through fundamentally different designs. The Ryzen 7 3800XT, a desktop part from AMD, and the Xeon E-2246G, a server/workstation chip from Intel, both land at the 55th percentile among all CPUs, with average benchmark scores of 3515 and 3492 respectively. This near-identical overall standing masks a decisive performance split in the head-to-head data, where the AMD part wins all four shared benchmarks, often by substantial margins. The data presents a curious case: two processors that look equivalent on paper via aggregate scores, yet diverge sharply when directly compared.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2246G boosts to 4.80 GHz, which is higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT's 4.70 GHz boost clock. Despite the Intel chip's higher peak frequency, it loses all head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

Q: How do the core counts differ between these two CPUs?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT provides 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2246G offers 6 cores and 12 threads. The AMD part has two additional cores and four additional threads.

Q: What is the single-core performance gap in Geekbench?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT scores 1773 in Geekbench single-core, which is 9.9% higher than the Intel Xeon E-2246G's score of 1613. This is the closest head-to-head margin between the two processors.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2246G supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT does not. This is a key feature difference for workstation and server reliability use cases.

Q: What is the multi-core performance difference in Cinebench R15?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT scores 2230 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, which is 88.8% higher than the Intel Xeon E-2246G's score of 1181. This represents the largest relative performance gap in the head-to-head data.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT has an average benchmark score of 3515, while the Intel Xeon E-2246G has an average score of 3492. The difference is less than 1%, placing both at the 55th percentile of all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental architecture gap between these processors is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm process node fabricated by TSMC, with a die size of 74 mm² and 3,800 million transistors. In contrast, the Intel Xeon E-2246G employs the Coffee Lake architecture on Intel's 14 nm process node, with a notably larger die size of 154 mm². The manufacturing process difference explains why AMD can pack 8 cores into a smaller physical area while Intel requires more than twice the die space for only 6 cores.

Cache configurations differ significantly beyond core counts. Both chips allocate 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: AMD provides 512 KB per core while Intel provides 256 KB per core. The L3 cache shows an even larger disparity, with the AMD part offering 32 MB total versus 12 MB shared on the Intel chip. This 20 MB difference in L3 cache likely contributes to the AMD part's performance advantage in multi-threaded workloads where larger working sets can remain on-chip.

Memory bandwidth also favors the AMD processor. The Ryzen 7 3800XT delivers 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Xeon E-2246G offers 42.7 GB/s. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the AMD part's higher bandwidth figure suggests a more efficient memory subsystem. The AMD chip also uses PCIe Gen 4, whereas the Intel chip is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only.

The Intel Xeon E-2246G includes integrated HD Graphics P630, while the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT has no integrated graphics listed. The Intel part also supports ECC memory, a feature absent from the AMD processor. Production status differs as well: AMD lists the Ryzen 7 3800XT as active, while Intel lists the Xeon E-2246G as end-of-life.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark data shows the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT winning all four shared tests, but the Intel Xeon E-2246G maintains relevance through specific features rather than raw performance. The AMD processor dominates in compute-heavy tasks: it wins Cinebench R15 multi-core by 88.8%, Cinebench R15 single-core by 31.9%, Geekbench multi-core by 43%, and Geekbench single-core by 9.9%. This clean sweep indicates the Ryzen 7 3800XT is the stronger choice for applications that rely on CPU throughput, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded.

The Intel Xeon E-2246G wins where the specifications list features absent from the AMD part. Its ECC memory support makes it suitable for environments where data integrity during memory operations is critical, such as financial calculations or scientific computing. The integrated HD Graphics P630 provides a display output capability that the AMD processor completely lacks, which could simplify system builds where a discrete GPU is not required. The Intel chip also draws less power with an 80 W TDP versus 105 W for the AMD part, which could matter in thermally constrained server chassis.

The production status difference matters for long-term system planning. The Xeon E-2246G is end-of-life, while the Ryzen 7 3800XT remains active. This suggests the AMD platform has a longer expected availability for new system builds or replacements. The Intel chip's market segment is server/workstation, while AMD targets desktop, which influences motherboard selection and overall platform ecosystem.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ decisively: AMD provides 8 cores and 16 threads, while Intel offers 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are close, with AMD at 3.80 GHz and Intel at 3.60 GHz, but the boost clock favors Intel at 4.80 GHz versus 4.70 GHz for AMD. The TDP rating shows Intel at 80 W and AMD at 105 W, indicating lower power draw for the Xeon part.

The cache hierarchy diverges sharply in L2 and L3. Both use 64 KB L1 per core, but AMD's L2 is 512 KB per core versus 256 KB per core on Intel. The L3 cache totals 32 MB on AMD versus 12 MB shared on Intel. Memory bandwidth differs at 51.2 GB/s for AMD and 42.7 GB/s for Intel. The process node is 7 nm for AMD (TSMC) and 14 nm for Intel, with die sizes of 74 mm² and 154 mm² respectively.

The remaining differences involve expansion and platform features. AMD uses PCIe Gen 4 with no lane count specified, while Intel uses PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU only. The AMD part has no integrated graphics and no ECC support, whereas Intel includes HD Graphics P630 and ECC support. The release dates differ by roughly 14 months, with Intel launching in May 2019 and AMD in July 2020. The AMD processor has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel part is locked. Launch MSRP values are $399 for AMD and $311 for Intel.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result in the head-to-head data is Cinebench R15 multi-core, where the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT scores 2230 against 1181 for the Intel Xeon E-2246G. This 88.8% advantage reflects the combined impact of two additional cores, four additional threads, larger caches, and higher memory bandwidth. The margin is so large that it transforms what might appear to be a modest specification gap into a dominant performance lead.

Single-core performance tells a different story with a narrower gap. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD scores 219 versus 166 for Intel, a 31.9% difference. Despite Intel's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz, the AMD chip's Zen 2 architecture delivers better single-threaded performance. The Geekbench single-core result confirms this trend, with AMD at 1773 and Intel at 1613, a 9.9% margin that is the smallest of the four comparisons.

Geekbench multi-core shows AMD at 8561 versus Intel at 5988, a 43% advantage. This benchmark reinforces the multi-threaded pattern established by Cinebench R15. The consistency across different benchmarking suites suggests the AMD processor's architectural advantages translate broadly across workload types. The data shows a clear hierarchy: AMD wins decisively in multi-core, comfortably in single-core, and the margin shrinks as thread count decreases but never reverses.

The Verdict

The benchmark data indicates the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT is the superior performer in every shared test. With wins in all four head-to-head benchmarks and margins ranging from 9.9% to 88.8%, the AMD processor delivers more computational throughput across the board. Users prioritizing raw CPU performance in rendering, compilation, or simulation workloads should select the Ryzen 7 3800XT based on its multi-core dominance and its single-core lead.

The Intel Xeon E-2246G remains a defensible choice only for specific requirements that the data shows the AMD part cannot meet. ECC memory support is the primary differentiator, making the Xeon the appropriate option for systems where memory error correction is mandatory. The integrated HD Graphics P630 provides a display output absent from the AMD processor, useful for headless servers or minimal configurations. The lower 80 W TDP also makes Intel the better fit for power-constrained environments.

The overall average benchmark scores place both processors at the 55th percentile, with the AMD part at 3515 and Intel at 3492. This near-parity in aggregate metrics is misleading given the head-to-head results. The Ryzen 7 3800XT's active production status and newer release date suggest better long-term availability. The Intel Xeon E-2246G's end-of-life status and older architecture make it a less future-proof investment, despite its lower launch MSRP. The data ultimately points to the AMD Ryzen 7 3800XT for most users, with the Xeon E-2246G reserved for those who specifically need ECC memory or integrated graphics.