CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2336 and AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS represent two very different philosophies for computing: a server-focused 6-core chip designed for stable, long-duration workloads versus a mobile 8-core part built for high performance within a strict power envelope. The benchmark data shows a fascinating split, with each processor claiming victories in different rendering tests. While the Ryzen 9 5900HS dominates in Cinebench R15, the Xeon E-2336 turns the tables in the newer Cinebench R23 tests, making the choice entirely dependent on your specific software workload.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Xeon E-2336 has 6 cores and 12 threads. This gives the AMD part a two-core, four-thread advantage in raw thread count.

Q: What are the major architectural differences between the two?

A: They differ significantly. The Xeon E-2336 uses Intel's Rocket Lake architecture on a 14 nm process with a 276 mm² die size. The Ryzen 9 5900HS uses AMD's Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process from TSMC, with a much smaller 180 mm² die and 10,700 million transistors. The AMD chip also includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, while the Intel part has none.

Q: How do their power requirements compare?

A: There is a large gap in thermal design power (TDP). The Intel Xeon E-2336 has a TDP of 65 watts, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS has a TDP of just 35 watts, making the AMD chip significantly more power-efficient on paper.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock speed?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2336 has a higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz compared to the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS's 4.60 GHz. However, the AMD chip has a slightly higher base clock at 3.00 GHz versus 2.90 GHz for the Intel.

Q: Do they support the same memory and PCIe standards?

A: Both support dual-channel DDR4 memory. However, the Intel Xeon E-2336 supports ECC memory and offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS does not support ECC and is limited to PCIe Gen 3.

Q: Which chip scores higher in the average benchmark?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2336 has a slightly higher average benchmark score of 3985 and sits in the 57th percentile of all CPUs. The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS scores 3924 and is in the 56th percentile.

Architecture Differences

The foundational design choices behind these two CPUs could not be more different. Intel's Xeon E-2336 is built on the Rocket Lake architecture and uses a 14 nm process node from Intel's own foundry. This results in a large die size of 276 mm². In contrast, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS leverages the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm process manufactured by TSMC, which allows for a smaller 180 mm² die despite packing 10,700 million transistors.

Cache configurations also differ notably. The Intel chip provides 80 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, with a shared 12 MB L3 cache. The AMD chip offers 64 KB of L1 per core, the same 512 KB of L2 per core, but a larger shared 16 MB L3 cache. This larger L3 pool on the AMD part could benefit certain multi-threaded workloads that repeatedly access shared data.

Platform support is another major divergence. The Xeon E-2336 uses the Intel Socket 1200 and comes with 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, positioning it for workstation setups with discrete GPUs and high-speed storage. The Ryzen 9 5900HS uses the AMD Socket FP6, is restricted to PCIe Gen 3, and integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics. Furthermore, the Intel Xeon supports ECC memory, a critical feature for data integrity in server environments, while the AMD mobile chip does not. The Intel chip also has a higher memory bandwidth rating of 51.2 GB/s compared to 68.3 GB/s for the AMD part.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results present a clear and interesting split. In Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS is the clear winner. In the multicore test, the AMD chip scores 2041 against the Intel's 1388, marking a massive 32% deficit for the Xeon. The single-core R15 test also favors AMD, with a score of 236.5 versus 195, an 17.5% advantage for the Ryzen.

However, the tables turn completely in the newer Cinebench R23 tests. The Intel Xeon E-2336 takes a decisive win in single-core performance, scoring 1945 compared to the AMD's 1475.5, which translates to a 31.8% lead for Intel. In the R23 multicore test, the Intel chip also wins, scoring 13777 against the AMD's 12745.5, giving it an 8.1% advantage. This reversal is striking and suggests that the Intel architecture is significantly better optimized for the newer R23 workload, while the AMD chip excels in the older R15 version. The head-to-head record is tied at 2 wins each, but the magnitude of the victories differs, with AMD's R15 multicore win being particularly lopsided.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the choice comes down to which benchmark generation you trust or which workload you prioritize. If your primary applications are reflected in Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS is the superior processor, offering a massive 32% multicore advantage and a solid 17.5% single-core lead. This could indicate better performance in older software or specific legacy applications.

Conversely, if you are working with modern workloads that scale well with Cinebench R23, the Intel Xeon E-2336 is the better performer. Its 31.8% single-core lead is significant for lightly-threaded tasks, and its 8.1% multicore win shows it can hold its own even with fewer cores. The Xeon's support for ECC memory and PCIe Gen 4 also makes it the more appropriate choice for a workstation or server environment where data integrity and modern I/O are paramount. For a mobile user needing integrated graphics and lower power consumption, the Ryzen 9 5900HS is the only viable option between the two.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights the key specifications where the two processors differ.

| Specification | Intel Xeon E-2336 | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Series | Xeon E-2300 series | 5000 series |

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 35 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1200 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Rocket Lake | Zen 3 |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 180 mm² |

| Transistors | N/A | 10,700 million |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 12 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 68.3 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2021-09-07 | 2021-01-11 |

| Launch MSRP | $284 | N/A |

| Part Number | SRKN5 | 100-000000300 |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS is the winner in scenarios that align with Cinebench R15 performance. This includes specific legacy multi-threaded applications where its 8-core/16-thread configuration provides a substantial 32% performance boost over the Intel chip. Its 35-watt TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics make it the clear choice for a laptop or other power-constrained mobile system where discrete graphics are not an option. It also offers a higher memory bandwidth rating, which could benefit some memory-sensitive workloads.

The Intel Xeon E-2336 wins in modern rendering workloads as represented by Cinebench R23, particularly in single-threaded tasks where its 31.8% lead is decisive. It also holds an 8.1% advantage in multi-threaded R23 tests, proving that its 6-core design can outperform the 8-core AMD chip in this specific benchmark. Its support for ECC memory and PCIe Gen 4 lanes makes it the superior platform for a server or workstation that requires maximum data reliability and modern high-speed I/O connectivity, despite its higher 65-watt TDP and lack of integrated graphics.