AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS vs Intel Xeon E-2288G Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a split decision between the Intel Xeon E-2288G and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS, with each processor taking two benchmark victories. The most dramatic margin appears in Cinebench R23 single-core, where the Intel part scores 2091 against the AMD part's 1529, a 36.8% advantage. This is the largest delta in any head-to-head test and indicates a substantial per-thread performance lead for the Xeon in this workload.

In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the Intel Xeon E-2288G again comes out ahead, posting 14817 versus 12629, a 17.3% difference. The gap narrows considerably compared to the single-core result, suggesting that while the AMD processor's multi-threaded scaling is strong, it cannot fully close the per-core deficit in this rendering benchmark.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS strikes back in the older Cinebench R15 suite. In multi-core, it scores 2083 against the Intel's 1493, a 28.3% lead. This is a notable reversal from the R23 multi-core result, and the data does not include an R20 comparison for the AMD part, so the relationship between these two rendering workloads remains only partially mapped. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the AMD chip wins by a smaller margin, 243 versus 210, a 13.6% advantage.

The average benchmark scores place the Intel Xeon E-2288G at 4373 and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS at 4121. The Intel part sits at the 58th percentile of all CPUs, while the AMD part sits at the 57th. The nearest rivals for the Xeon are the AMD EPYC 7232P (avg score 4354, delta 0.4%), the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 4750GE (avg score 4411, delta -0.9%), the Intel Core i7-7820X (avg score 4321, delta 1.2%), and the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750G (avg score 4296, delta 1.8%). For the Ryzen 9 5980HS, the closest competitors are the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X (avg score 4114, delta 0.2%), the Intel Core i5-12500TE (avg score 4083, delta 0.9%), the Intel Core i9-9900 (avg score 4163, delta -1%), and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1900X (avg score 4073, delta 1.2%).

The benchmark data shows the Intel Xeon E-2288G is 1.8% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 5750G in average score, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS is within 1% of the Intel Core i9-9900. These percentile and rival deltas indicate both processors occupy a similar overall performance tier, despite the stark differences in their individual benchmark outcomes.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher single-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2288G scores 2091, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS scores 1529, giving the Intel part a 36.8% lead in this specific test.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R15 multi-core?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS wins decisively with a score of 2083 versus 1493 for the Intel Xeon E-2288G, a 28.3% advantage for the AMD chip.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2288G has an average benchmark score of 4373, and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has an average of 4121.

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

A: Yes, both have 8 cores and 16 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2288G has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has a boost clock of 4.80 GHz.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2288G supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS does not.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon E-2288G is built on Intel's Coffee Lake-S WS architecture, part of the Xeon E-2200 series. It uses a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel itself. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS uses the Zen 3 architecture under the Cezanne codename, belonging to the 5000 series, and is fabricated by TSMC on a 7 nm process. This process node difference is significant: the AMD part uses a more advanced manufacturing technology, which typically allows for lower power consumption at equivalent performance levels.

The die size for both processors is recorded as 180 mm², an identical figure. However, the transistor counts differ substantially. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has 10,700 million transistors, while the Intel Xeon E-2288G has no recorded transistor count in the database. This discrepancy in transistor density, combined with the smaller process node, is a core architectural distinction between the two chips.

Cache configurations show both processors share a 64 KB L1 cache per core and a 16 MB shared L3 cache. The L2 cache differs: the Intel part has 256 KB per core, while the AMD part has 512 KB per core, giving the AMD chip twice as much L2 cache per core. This additional L2 capacity may contribute to the AMD part's strong showing in Cinebench R15 multi-core, where it leads by 28.3%.

The integrated graphics differ as well. The Intel Xeon E-2288G includes HD Graphics P630, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS includes Radeon Vega 8. The market segments are distinct: the Intel part is aimed at server and workstation deployments, while the AMD part is a mobile processor. The Intel part is end-of-life, while the AMD part is still in active production.

Specification Differences

The base clock rates differ, with the Intel Xeon E-2288G running at 3.70 GHz and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS at 3.00 GHz. Boost clocks are closer, with the Intel part reaching 5.00 GHz and the AMD part reaching 4.80 GHz. The thermal design power (TDP) shows a major gap: the Intel part is rated at 95 W, while the AMD part is rated at just 35 W. This makes the AMD processor far more power-efficient on paper, which is typical for a mobile part.

The sockets are incompatible. The Intel Xeon E-2288G uses Intel Socket 1151, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS uses AMD Socket FP6. Memory bandwidth also differs, with the Intel part rated at 42.7 GB/s and the AMD part at 68.3 GB/s, a 60% advantage for the AMD chip in theoretical memory throughput. Both support DDR4 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

ECC memory support is exclusive to the Intel Xeon E-2288G, which is a standard feature for server and workstation processors. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS does not support ECC. Both processors use PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Intel part has a recorded launch MSRP of $539, while the AMD part has no recorded launch MSRP in the database.

The release dates place the Intel Xeon E-2288G in May 2019 and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS in January 2021, a gap of roughly one and a half years. The part numbers differ: the Intel chip is SRFB3, and the AMD chip is 100-000000474. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Xeon E-2288G wins in Cinebench R23, both single-core and multi-core. The single-core result is particularly dominant, with a 36.8% margin that suggests workloads heavily dependent on per-thread performance, such as lightly threaded applications or tasks with strict latency requirements, would favor the Intel part. The multi-core R23 result, a 17.3% lead, indicates the Intel chip also handles well-threaded rendering workloads in this newer benchmark version better than the AMD part.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS wins in Cinebench R15, both single-core and multi-core. The multi-core victory is substantial at 28.3%, and the single-core margin is 13.6%. This suggests that in the older Cinebench R15 workload, the AMD processor's architecture, with its larger L2 cache and higher memory bandwidth, provides a measurable advantage. The AMD part also carries a much lower TDP of 35 W versus 95 W, making it a stronger candidate for thermally constrained environments such as thin laptops.

The Intel Xeon E-2288G, as a server and workstation part with ECC memory support and a 95 W TDP, is positioned for stable, sustained workloads in professional environments. Its higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz and its R23 dominance point toward tasks that benefit from high frequency and modern instruction efficiency. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS, as an active mobile part with a 35 W TDP and higher memory bandwidth, is better suited for portable systems where power efficiency and memory throughput are prioritized.

For users choosing between the two, the decision hinges on the specific benchmark generation and workload type. The data shows the Intel part has the edge in the newer Cinebench R23 suite, while the AMD part excels in the older R15 suite. The average scores are close, with the Intel part leading by roughly 6% (4373 versus 4121), but the percentile rankings are nearly identical at 58th versus 57th. This indicates that in aggregate, the two processors perform at a similar level, with the differences concentrated in specific test scenarios rather than overall capability.