CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS and Intel Xeon E-2386G present a fascinating contrast in CPU design philosophy, pitting a low-power mobile processor against a workstation-focused server chip. Despite their different market segments, the benchmark data shows they are remarkably close in raw performance, with the Ryzen 7 5800HS taking a narrow but consistent lead across every single test in the Cinebench suite. The average benchmark scores are nearly identical, 4827 for the AMD part versus 4799 for the Intel Xeon, placing both in the 59th percentile of all CPUs, and their performance delta is a mere 0.6% in favor of the Ryzen.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are striking in their uniformity. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS wins all six Cinebench comparisons, but by margins so thin they are almost negligible in real-world terms. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Ryzen scores 1682 against the Xeon’s 1672, a 0.6% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a slightly larger relative gap at 0.9%, with scores of 237 and 235 respectively.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. The Ryzen 7 5800HS scores 7009 in multicore, while the Xeon E-2386G manages 6968, again a 0.6% difference. The single-core R20 results are 989 versus 983, a 0.6% margin. The most modern test, Cinebench R23, shows the same story: the AMD chip leads 16690 to 16592 in multicore and 2356 to 2342 in single-core, both with a 0.6% delta.

These margins are exceptionally tight. For context, the Ryzen 7 5800HS sits 0.4% above the AMD Ryzen 9 3950X and 0.2% below the AMD Ryzen 7 4700GE in average score, while the Xeon E-2386G is 0.2% below the Ryzen 9 3950X and 0.5% above the Intel Core i5-1350P. The data suggests these two processors are effectively performance peers in Cinebench workloads, despite their architectural differences. The Xeon’s higher boost clock of 5.10 GHz does not translate into a win on any test here; instead, the Ryzen’s higher core count and threading advantage appear to offset the clock speed deficit in both single and multi-threaded scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two CPUs is substantial. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS is built on TSMC’s 7 nm process node and uses the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads in a 180 mm² die containing 10,700 million transistors. The Intel Xeon E-2386G, by contrast, uses Intel’s 14 nm process with the Rocket Lake architecture (Rocket Lake-E codename) and a larger 276 mm² die, though transistor count is not listed in the data. This node advantage explains how AMD delivers comparable performance at a 35 W TDP versus the Xeon’s 95 W TDP.

Cache configurations also differ. The Ryzen 7 5800HS has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 16 MB L3 cache. The Xeon E-2386G has a larger L1 at 80 KB per core, the same 512 KB L2 per core, but a smaller 12 MB shared L3. Memory bandwidth favors the AMD chip at 68.3 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s for the Intel part, though both support dual-channel DDR4.

The Xeon counters with features the mobile chip lacks. It supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server and workstation reliability, while the Ryzen 7 5800HS does not. The Xeon also has PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, whereas the Ryzen uses PCIe Gen 3. Integrated graphics differ too: the Ryzen has Radeon Vega 8, while the Xeon includes UHD Graphics P750. The Xeon targets the server/workstation segment on Intel Socket 1200, while the Ryzen is a mobile part on AMD Socket FP6. Both CPUs have locked multipliers and are currently active in production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS has an average benchmark score of 4827, which is 0.6% higher than the Intel Xeon E-2386G’s 4799. Both processors sit in the 59th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2386G win any Cinebench tests?

A: No. In the head-to-head data, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS wins all six Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23 in both single and multicore), with the Xeon trailing by 0.6% to 0.9% in each.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2386G has 6 cores and 12 threads. The Ryzen’s extra cores and threads likely contribute to its slight multicore wins.

Q: What are the TDP differences between the two?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS has a 35 W TDP, making it a low-power mobile chip, whereas the Intel Xeon E-2386G has a 95 W TDP, reflecting its server/workstation positioning. This is a significant power envelope difference despite similar performance.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2386G supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS does not. This makes the Xeon more suitable for error-critical server workloads.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the Intel Xeon E-2386G?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2386G has a launch MSRP of $450. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS does not have a listed launch MSRP in the data.

Specification Differences

The two CPUs differ in nearly every fundamental specification category. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS uses 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2386G uses 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks differ substantially: 2.80 GHz for the AMD versus 3.50 GHz for the Intel. Boost clocks also favor the Xeon at 5.10 GHz versus 4.40 GHz for the Ryzen. TDP is a major differentiator at 35 W versus 95 W.

The process nodes are generations apart, with the AMD on 7 nm TSMC and the Intel on 14 nm. Die size also differs, with the AMD at 180 mm² and the Intel at 276 mm². Cache layouts vary in L1 (64 KB per core versus 80 KB per core) and L3 (16 MB shared versus 12 MB shared), though L2 is identical at 512 KB per core. Memory bandwidth is higher on the AMD at 68.3 GB/s versus 51.2 GB/s. ECC support is exclusive to the Intel Xeon. PCIe generations differ, with the AMD using Gen 3 and the Intel using Gen 4 with 20 lanes. Integrated graphics are Radeon Vega 8 on the AMD and UHD Graphics P750 on the Intel. The sockets are incompatible (FP6 versus Socket 1200), and the market segments are mobile versus server/workstation. Release dates differ, with the AMD launching in January 2021 and the Intel in September 2021.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents a clear picture: for pure Cinebench performance, the AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS is the winner, albeit by a razor-thin margin. It leads in all six head-to-head tests, with the largest gap being 0.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core. However, the Intel Xeon E-2386G is not a performance loser, it trails by only 0.6% on average, which is within the margin of run-to-run variance. The choice between these two should be dictated by platform and feature requirements rather than raw speed.

For a mobile or low-power system where the 35 W TDP of the Ryzen 7 5800HS is a critical advantage, the AMD part is the obvious selection. It delivers equal or better performance while consuming roughly one-third the power of the Xeon. For a server or workstation environment where ECC memory support, PCIe Gen 4 connectivity, and a 5.10 GHz boost clock are priorities, the Intel Xeon E-2386G is the appropriate choice, despite its higher 95 W TDP and higher launch MSRP of $450. The data does not support choosing the Xeon for raw performance, but it does support picking it for reliability features and platform compatibility.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS wins in every Cinebench benchmark category listed, including both single-core and multicore tests across R15, R20, and R23. Its wins are consistent but narrow, ranging from 0.6% to 0.9%. The Ryzen also wins on efficiency, with a 35 W TDP that is 60 W lower than the Xeon’s, making it the superior choice for thin-and-light laptops or any thermally constrained chassis. Its higher memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s and larger 16 MB L3 cache are additional technical advantages.

The Intel Xeon E-2386G wins on features relevant to its server/workstation market segment. It supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not, making it the safer option for data integrity in critical applications. It offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, compared to Gen 3 on the AMD, which matters for high-bandwidth storage or GPU expansion. Its higher base clock of 3.50 GHz and boost clock of 5.10 GHz give it a clock speed advantage, even if that does not translate to benchmark wins in this dataset. The Xeon’s larger 80 KB L1 cache per core and its 276 mm² die are also distinctive, though these do not produce a performance edge in the measured tests. For a dual-socket-capable, ECC-supporting workstation platform, the Xeon is the data-backed choice; for mobile or low-power deployment, the Ryzen is the clear winner.