CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2146G and AMD Ryzen 7 5800U occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, yet their benchmark scores place them in a surprisingly close overall contest. The Xeon E-2146G, a server/workstation part from the Coffee Lake generation, and the Ryzen 7 5800U, a mobile processor built on Zen 3, both land at the 54th percentile among all CPUs. Their average benchmark scores are also close: the Xeon averages 3410 points, while the Ryzen averages 3369 points. This places them within striking distance of each other, but the data reveals that each chip wins in very different types of workloads. The head-to-head results show a split decision, with the Ryzen 7 5800U taking four of six benchmark wins, while the Xeon E-2146G takes the two most demanding multi-threaded tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most dramatic difference between the two processors appears in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where the Intel Xeon E-2146G posts a decisive victory. The Xeon scores 11214 points, which is 37.5% ahead of the Ryzen 7 5800U's 8154 points. This is the largest delta in the entire head-to-head comparison, and it signals that the Xeon's sustained multi-threaded performance under heavy load is a clear strength. The Xeon also wins the Cinebench R23 single-core test, though by a much narrower margin: 1583 points versus 1427 points, a 10.9% advantage.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U, however, dominates the older Cinebench R15 tests. In the multi-core R15 run, the Ryzen scores 1613 against the Xeon's 1130, a 29.9% lead. In the single-core R15 test, the Ryzen scores 229 versus 159, a 30.6% advantage. These results are striking because they are the exact opposite of the R23 results, suggesting that the two chips respond very differently to the workload scaling in these benchmark versions.

Geekbench results also favor the AMD part. In the multi-core test, the Ryzen 7 5800U scores 7132, which is 11.9% higher than the Xeon's 6283. In the single-core Geekbench test, the Ryzen scores 1656 versus 1540, a 7% lead. This gives the Ryzen a clean sweep in the Geekbench suite, while the Xeon's wins are concentrated in the newer Cinebench R23 tests. The overall scoreboard stands at 4 wins for the AMD part and 2 for the Intel part.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split based on workload type. The Intel Xeon E-2146G is the pick for sustained, heavily threaded rendering workloads, as demonstrated by its 37.5% lead in Cinebench R23 multi-core. Anyone running long-duration multi-threaded tasks, such as software compilation, 3D rendering, or scientific simulation, should favor the Xeon based on this result. Its 10.9% advantage in R23 single-core also suggests it has a slight edge in tasks that rely on a single thread but use the newer Cinebench instruction set.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U is the better choice for a broader mix of everyday and professional applications, given its wins in Geekbench and the older Cinebench R15 tests. Its 29.9% lead in R15 multi-core and 30.6% lead in R15 single-core are substantial, and its 11.9% advantage in Geekbench multi-core reinforces its versatility. The Ryzen also holds a single-core Geekbench lead of 7%, which matters for responsiveness in typical desktop applications. For users who prioritize balance across diverse software, the Ryzen 7 5800U is the stronger candidate, despite the Xeon's impressive R23 numbers.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel Xeon E-2146G uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS codename, fabricated on Intel's 14 nm process node with a die size of 154 mm². The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Cezanne-U, built on TSMC's 7 nm process node with a die size of 180 mm². The AMD chip also packs 10,700 million transistors, while the Intel part's transistor count is not listed.

The core configurations differ significantly. The Xeon E-2146G has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the Ryzen 7 5800U has 8 cores and 16 threads. The AMD part also has a larger L3 cache at 16 MB shared, compared to the Xeon's 12 MB shared. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core, but the L2 cache differs: the Xeon has 256 KB per core, while the Ryzen has 512 KB per core.

Memory and I/O features also diverge. Both support DDR4 memory in dual-channel configuration, but the Ryzen 7 5800U has a higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s versus the Xeon's 42.7 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen does not. The Xeon also has more PCIe lanes, with Gen 3, 16 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen has Gen 3, 8 lanes. The integrated graphics differ as well: the Xeon uses HD Graphics P630, while the Ryzen uses Radeon Vega 8.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets show several clear differences between the two parts. The core count differs, with the Xeon at 6 cores and the Ryzen at 8 cores. The base clock is another major difference: the Xeon runs at 3.50 GHz, while the Ryzen has a much lower base clock of 1900.00 MHz. The boost clocks are closer, with the Xeon at 4.50 GHz and the Ryzen at 4.40 GHz.

Thermal design power is a major separator. The Xeon E-2146G has a TDP of 80 watts, while the Ryzen 7 5800U has a TDP of just 15 watts. This reflects their intended markets, with the Xeon being a server/workstation part and the Ryzen being a mobile processor. The sockets are also different: the Xeon uses Intel Socket 1151, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6.

The memory bandwidth differs, with the Ryzen offering 51.2 GB/s versus the Xeon's 42.7 GB/s. The Ryzen also has a larger L3 cache at 16 MB versus 12 MB. The Xeon supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not. The PCIe lane counts differ, with the Xeon at 16 lanes and the Ryzen at 8 lanes. The production status also differs: the Xeon is end-of-life, while the Ryzen is active. The Xeon has a launch MSRP of $317, while the Ryzen has no listed launch MSRP.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2146G scores 11214 points, which is 37.5% higher than the AMD Ryzen 7 5800U's 8154 points.

Q: How much faster is the AMD Ryzen 7 5800U in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The Ryzen 7 5800U scores 1613, which is 29.9% ahead of the Xeon E-2146G's 1130.

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

A: Yes, the Xeon E-2146G supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800U does not.

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

A: The Intel Xeon E-2146G has a TDP of 80 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5800U has a TDP of 15 watts.

Q: Which chip has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2146G has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Geekbench multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U scores 7132, which is 11.9% higher than the Intel Xeon E-2146G's 6283.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2146G is the clear winner in Cinebench R23, both multi-core and single-core. Its 11214 multi-core score and 1583 single-core score indicate that it handles the newer Cinebench rendering engine with more efficiency. This makes it the better choice for modern rendering workloads that use the R23 instruction path, especially those that can leverage multiple threads over a long period. The Xeon's 12 MB shared L3 cache and 16 PCIe lanes also position it for workstation tasks that require more I/O bandwidth, such as connecting to multiple storage devices or expansion cards.

The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U wins in Cinebench R15 (both multi-core and single-core) and in Geekbench (both multi-core and single-core). Its 1613 R15 multi-core score and 229 single-core score show dominance in that benchmark suite. The Ryzen's 7132 Geekbench multi-core score and 1656 single-core score further demonstrate its strength in general-purpose computing. The Ryzen's 16 MB L3 cache, larger L2 cache, and higher memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s contribute to its responsiveness in memory-intensive tasks. Its 8 cores and 16 threads also give it a raw thread-count advantage, which helps in workloads that scale well with more cores, even if the per-core clock speed is lower.

The production status also tells a story. The Xeon E-2146G is end-of-life, while the Ryzen 7 5800U is active. This means the Ryzen is still a current product, while the Xeon is a legacy part. The Ryzen's 15-watt TDP also makes it suitable for fanless or low-power designs, whereas the Xeon's 80-watt TDP requires more substantial cooling. For users building a new system today, the Ryzen 7 5800U offers a more modern architecture and active support, while the Xeon represents an older generation that may still be available in existing workstations.