CPU Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS and Intel Xeon E-2278G are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, but they target entirely different segments: one is a 35W mobile part, the other a 95W server/workstation chip. Benchmark results show a fascinating split. In Cinebench R15, the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS dominates, scoring 2083 in multi-core and 243 in single-core. The Intel Xeon E-2278G trails significantly with 1360 and 192, respectively. That translates to a 53.2% lead for AMD in multi-core and a 26.6% lead in single-core. However, the tables turn in the newer Cinebench R23 workload. Here, the Intel Xeon E-2278G takes the lead with 13502 multi-core and 1906 single-core scores, beating the AMD part’s 12629 and 1529. This represents a 6.5% and 19.8% advantage for Intel in R23 multi-core and single-core, respectively. The data presents a clear generational and architectural divergence in performance scaling.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, where the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS posts 2083 against the Intel Xeon E-2278G’s 1360. That is a 53.2% victory for AMD, a massive margin that suggests the Zen 3 architecture handles the R15 workload with far greater efficiency. The single-core R15 test reinforces this, with AMD winning 243 to 192, a 26.6% advantage. These are not close calls; the AMD part outright outclasses the Intel chip in this older benchmark.

Switch to Cinebench R23, and the narrative flips. The Intel Xeon E-2278G scores 13502 multi-core, edging out the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS’s 12629 by 6.5%. The single-core R23 result is even more decisive for Intel: 1906 versus 1529, a 19.8% gap. This is a significant reversal. The AMD part’s older R15 win does not carry over to the more demanding R23 workload, where Intel’s higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz appears to make a substantial difference.

Looking at the broader benchmark landscape, the Intel Xeon E-2278G has more data points, including Cinebench R20 and Geekbench scores. Its R20 multi-core score is 5670, and single-core is 800. Geekbench results show 7354 multi-core and 1633 single-core. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS lacks these specific tests in the data, so direct comparisons are limited to the shared R15 and R23 tests. The wins are split evenly at 2-2, but the magnitude of the wins differs. AMD’s R15 multi-core win is overwhelming, while Intel’s R23 single-core win is substantial but smaller in percentage terms. The data suggests that the Ryzen 9 5980HS was optimized for the older Cinebench R15, while the Xeon E-2278G scales better in the newer R23 version.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent distinct design philosophies. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm TSMC process node, codenamed Cezanne. It packs 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die. The Intel Xeon E-2278G is built on the older Coffee Lake architecture using Intel’s 14 nm process, codenamed Coffee Lake-S WS, also on a 180 mm² die size. The process node advantage is clear: 7 nm versus 14 nm, which explains the AMD part’s much lower 35W TDP versus Intel’s 95W TDP.

Cache configurations differ as well. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The key divergence is in L2 cache: the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has 512 KB per core, while the Intel Xeon E-2278G has only 256 KB per core. This doubles the AMD part’s L2 capacity, which can be beneficial for certain workloads that repeatedly access a working set that fits in L2.

Memory support shows another split. Both support DDR4 in dual-channel mode, but the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has a memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s, while the Intel Xeon E-2278G is rated at 42.7 GB/s. The AMD part offers 60% more memory bandwidth, which likely contributes to its strong R15 multi-core performance. The AMD part does not support ECC memory, while the Intel Xeon E-2278G does, a critical feature for its server/workstation market segment. Integrated graphics also differ: the AMD part uses Radeon Vega 8, while the Intel Xeon uses HD Graphics P630. Both use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, and both have locked multipliers.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS wins decisively in Cinebench R15, both multi-core and single-core. The 53.2% multi-core advantage and 26.6% single-core advantage in R15 suggest that this processor is particularly strong in legacy rendering workloads or any application that relies on the same computational patterns as R15. Its higher memory bandwidth and double L2 cache likely contribute to this edge. For users running older software that is not updated for newer benchmark methodologies, the AMD part would deliver superior performance.

The Intel Xeon E-2278G wins in Cinebench R23, with a 6.5% multi-core and 19.8% single-core lead. The R23 single-core result is particularly notable, as it indicates that the Intel part’s higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz (versus 4.80 GHz for AMD) provides a tangible advantage in lightly threaded or clock-sensitive workloads. The R23 multi-core win, while smaller, still shows that Intel’s older architecture can hold its own in more modern, sustained all-core loads. The Intel part also benefits from ECC memory support, making it the appropriate choice for error-sensitive server or workstation environments where data integrity is paramount.

The data also shows that both CPUs sit at the 57th percentile among all CPUs, indicating they are comparable in overall performance. The average benchmark scores are close: the AMD part averages 4121, while the Intel part averages 4052. The nearest rivals for the AMD part include the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X (avg score 4114, delta 0.2%) and the Intel Core i9-9900 (avg score 4163, delta -1%). The Intel Xeon E-2278G’s rivals include the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X (avg score 4073, delta -0.5%) and the Intel Core i5-12400T (avg score 4019, delta 0.8%). These numbers show both parts are in the same performance tier, despite their different strengths in specific benchmarks.

The Verdict

The choice between these two CPUs depends entirely on the workload and platform requirements. If you are working with legacy applications that mirror Cinebench R15’s performance profile, the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS is the clear winner. Its 53.2% multi-core and 26.6% single-core advantages in R15 are not trivial; they represent a substantial performance lead that would be noticeable in daily use. The AMD part also offers superior memory bandwidth and a more power-efficient 35W TDP, which makes it suitable for mobile or compact systems where thermal and power constraints are tight.

If your work involves modern rendering or simulation tasks that resemble Cinebench R23, the Intel Xeon E-2278G is the better performer. Its 6.5% multi-core and 19.8% single-core wins in R23 show that it handles contemporary workloads more effectively. The Intel part also provides ECC memory support, which is a non-negotiable requirement for many server and workstation configurations. However, its 95W TDP and end-of-life production status are drawbacks for new builds. The AMD part is still active in production, while the Intel Xeon is end-of-life, which may affect long-term availability and support.

For a mobile or low-power system, the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS is the only realistic choice given its 35W TDP. For a stationary workstation where ECC memory is required and power consumption is not a concern, the Intel Xeon E-2278G has the edge. The data does not support one being universally better; it shows a split based on benchmark generation and workload type. The 2-2 win split in benchmarks reflects this balance, so the final decision should be guided by the specific software you run and the hardware platform you are building around.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU is faster in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS is significantly faster, scoring 2083 versus the Intel Xeon E-2278G’s 1360, a 53.2% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel Xeon E-2278G win any benchmarks?

A: Yes, it wins both Cinebench R23 tests. It scores 13502 multi-core versus AMD’s 12629, and 1906 single-core versus AMD’s 1529.

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

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has a TDP of 35W, while the Intel Xeon E-2278G has a TDP of 95W.

Q: Do both CPUs support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Xeon E-2278G supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS does not.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS uses a 7 nm TSMC process, while the Intel Xeon E-2278G uses Intel’s 14 nm process.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has an average benchmark score of 4121, and the Intel Xeon E-2278G has an average of 4052. Both sit at the 57th percentile of all CPUs.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS | Intel Xeon E-2278G |

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

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.80 GHz | 5.00 GHz |

| TDP | 35W | 95W |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

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

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

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

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

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

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

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

| Launch MSRP | Not available | $494 |