AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS vs Intel Xeon E-2278G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results paint a split picture, with each processor claiming victories in different workloads. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS dominates the Cinebench R15 tests. In the multicore run, the Ryzen scores 2041 against the Xeon's 1360, a 33.4% advantage that is difficult to ignore. The single-core R15 result is similarly lopsided, with the Ryzen posting 236.5 versus 192, an 18.8% margin. These are substantial leads in a legacy rendering workload that responds well to the Zen 3 architecture's efficiency.

The Intel Xeon E-2278G strikes back in the newer Cinebench R23 suite. The Xeon's multicore score of 13502 edges out the Ryzen's 12745.5, a 5.9% win. The single-core R23 gap is far more pronounced: the Xeon hits 1906 while the Ryzen manages 1475.5, giving Intel a 29.2% advantage. This reversal between R15 and R23 suggests that the Xeon's high boost clock of 5.00 GHz is particularly effective in the newer test's single-threaded scaling, while the R23 multicore result remains close despite the Xeon's older architecture.

The wins tally ends at 2 for each processor across the head-to-head suite, but the magnitude of those wins matters. The Ryzen's R15 multicore margin of 33.4% is its largest, while the Xeon's R23 single-core margin of 29.2% is its most decisive. For users relying on older benchmark generations, the AMD part looks considerably stronger; for modern workloads, the Intel part holds its ground or pulls ahead in single-threaded tasks.

Looking at the broader database averages, the Xeon E-2278G records an average benchmark score of 4052, placing it just above the Ryzen's 3924. The Xeon sits at the 57th percentile among all CPUs, while the Ryzen lands at the 56th. The Xeon's nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X at 4073 (0.5% ahead of the Xeon) and the Intel Core i5-12500TE at 4083 (0.8% ahead). The Ryzen 9 5900HS, meanwhile, trades blows with the Intel Xeon E-2278GE at 3939 (0.4% ahead of the Ryzen) and the AMD Ryzen 5 4600GE at 3906 (0.5% behind). These percentile and rival comparisons show two processors that are remarkably close in overall standing, despite their architectural differences and market positioning.

Architecture Differences

The two chips come from different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Xeon E-2278G uses the Coffee Lake architecture, specifically the Coffee Lake-S WS variant, built on Intel's 14 nm process. It is a server and workstation part with a TDP of 95 watts, designed for sustained heavy loads in professional environments. Its foundry is Intel itself, and the die size measures 180 mm². The Ryzen 9 5900HS, in contrast, is a mobile processor based on Zen 3 under the Cezanne codename, manufactured by TSMC on a 7 nm process. It carries a 35 watt TDP, reflecting its laptop-oriented design. Its transistor count is listed at 10,700 million, a detail not provided for the Xeon, and its die size also comes in at 180 mm².

Cache layouts differ notably. Both processors share 64 KB of L1 per core and 16 MB of shared L3, but the L2 cache tells a different story: the Xeon offers 256 KB per core, while the Ryzen doubles that to 512 KB per core. This larger L2 could contribute to the Ryzen's strong R15 performance, as more data can reside closer to the cores. Both support DDR4 memory with dual-channel buses, but the memory bandwidth figures diverge sharply: the Xeon reaches 42.7 GB/s, while the Ryzen more than doubles the theoretical throughput at 68.3 GB/s. ECC memory support is present on the Xeon, reflecting its workstation heritage, but absent on the Ryzen.

The integrated graphics also differentiate the pair. The Xeon includes HD Graphics P630, while the Ryzen packs Radeon Vega 8, a more capable iGPU for a mobile part. PCIe support is Gen 3 on both, though the Xeon specifies 16 lanes from the CPU while the Ryzen listing does not break out lane counts. The Xeon's socket is Intel Socket 1151, while the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6, and neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The Xeon is designated as end-of-life, while the Ryzen remains active in production.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 single-core?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278G wins by a substantial margin, scoring 1906 against the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS's 1475.5, a 29.2% difference.

Q: How does the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS perform in Cinebench R15 multicore?

A: It outperforms the Xeon decisively, scoring 2041 versus 1360, a 33.4% lead for the AMD part.

Q: Do both processors have the same number of cores and threads?

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads, but their cache and memory configurations differ, with the Ryzen offering 512 KB of L2 per core versus 256 KB on the Xeon, and a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s versus 42.7 GB/s.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Xeon E-2278G has a TDP of 95 watts, while the Ryzen 9 5900HS is rated at 35 watts, reflecting the Xeon's workstation focus and the Ryzen's mobile design.

Q: Which processor has ECC memory support?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2278G supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS does not.

Q: How do the two compare in overall database percentile?

A: The Xeon E-2278G ranks at the 57th percentile among all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 4052, while the Ryzen 9 5900HS sits at the 56th percentile with an average score of 3924.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2278G | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS |

|---|---|---|

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.00 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 95 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1151 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Coffee Lake | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Coffee Lake-S WS | Cezanne |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not specified | 10,700 million |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 42.7 GB/s | 68.3 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | HD Graphics P630 | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2019-05-28 | 2021-01-11 |

| Part Number | SRFB2 | 100-000000300 |

Both processors share 8 cores, 16 threads, 64 KB of L1 per core, 16 MB of shared L3, DDR4 memory support, dual-channel memory buses, and locked multipliers. The Xeon's launch MSRP was $494; the Ryzen's launch MSRP is not recorded in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2278G is the choice for single-threaded performance in modern benchmark suites. Its 29.2% lead in Cinebench R23 single-core over the Ryzen is the largest single-test margin in the entire comparison, and its 5.9% win in R23 multicore shows it can still hang with a newer part in multi-threaded rendering. The Xeon also brings ECC memory support and a 95 watt TDP, making it suited for workstation reliability scenarios where data integrity matters more than power efficiency. Its end-of-life status and 2019 release date do not prevent it from holding its own in the R23 results, and its 57th percentile ranking edges out the Ryzen's 56th.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS wins decisively in the Cinebench R15 suite, both multicore and single-core, with margins of 33.4% and 18.8% respectively. Its 35 watt TDP and mobile socket point to laptop deployments where power draw is a primary concern, and the doubled L2 cache per core likely contributes to its R15 dominance. The higher memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s and Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics make it a stronger option for integrated-system workloads that lean on memory throughput and GPU acceleration. Its active production status means it remains available for current designs.

For a workstation professional running modern rendering tasks that align with R23 scaling, the Xeon's single-core advantage is the deciding factor. For a mobile user or anyone prioritizing legacy benchmark performance and power efficiency, the Ryzen's R15 results and 35 watt envelope are compelling. The two chips occupy different market segments, and the benchmark data reflects those design goals: the Xeon leans on high clock speeds and workstation features, while the Ryzen leverages a newer process and cache architecture to deliver strong per-watt performance. The database shows a near-even split, with each part winning where its architecture is best suited.