CPU Comparison

The Intel Xeon E-2378 and AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS are both 8-core, 16-thread processors, yet they are engineered for entirely different arenas. The data shows a split decision across the Cinebench suite, with the Xeon E-2378 dominating in R23 workloads while the Ryzen 9 5980HS takes a commanding lead in R15 tests. The Xeon is a 65 W server/workstation part on Intel's 14 nm Rocket Lake-E architecture, while the Ryzen is a 35 W mobile chip on TSMC's 7 nm Zen 3 process. Each leads in specific tasks, making the choice dependent on the workload and platform constraints rather than raw core count.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2378 has an average benchmark score of 4232, while the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS scores 4121. Both processors sit at the 57th percentile when compared against all CPUs, indicating similar overall performance levels despite their different target markets.

Q: How do the two chips compare in terms of power consumption?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has a TDP of 35 W, which is significantly lower than the Intel Xeon E-2378's 65 W TDP. This makes the Ryzen part considerably more power-efficient on paper, a critical factor for its mobile segment.

Q: What are the cache configurations for each processor?

A: Both processors share the same L2 cache size at 512 KB per core and the same shared L3 cache at 16 MB. They differ in L1 cache, with the Intel Xeon E-2378 offering 80 KB per core and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS providing 64 KB per core.

Q: Do these CPUs support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the Intel Xeon E-2378 supports ECC memory, which is typical for server and workstation platforms. The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS does not support ECC memory, aligning with its mobile consumer focus.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock speed?

A: Both the Intel Xeon E-2378 and the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS have the same maximum boost clock of 4.80 GHz. However, the AMD part has a higher base clock at 3.00 GHz compared to the Intel's 2.60 GHz.

Q: What are the key differences in PCIe support?

A: The Intel Xeon E-2378 supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes from the CPU, whereas the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. This gives the Xeon a distinct advantage in bandwidth for expansion cards and high-speed storage.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS is the clear winner in the Cinebench R15 benchmarks. It scores 2083 in multi-core, which is 29.2% higher than the Xeon's 1474. In single-core R15 tests, the Ryzen again takes the lead with a score of 243 versus 208, a 14.4% advantage. This suggests that for older software or workloads optimized for the R15 test's characteristics, the Ryzen's higher base clock and Zen 3 architecture provide a tangible edge.

The Intel Xeon E-2378 wins decisively in the newer Cinebench R23 tests. It scores 14633 in multi-core, beating the Ryzen's 12629 by 15.9%. The single-core R23 result is even more lopsided, with the Xeon scoring 2065 against the Ryzen's 1529, a 35.1% lead. These results point to the Xeon's advantage in more modern, demanding rendering workloads that scale well with the Rocket Lake architecture's improvements.

In terms of platform features, the Xeon E-2378 wins on memory bandwidth with 51.2 GB/s versus the Ryzen's 68.3 GB/s, though the Ryzen actually leads here, the Xeon's advantage lies instead in ECC support and PCIe Gen 4 connectivity. The Ryzen wins on power efficiency with its 35 W TDP and includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which the Xeon lacks entirely.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Xeon E-2378 is built on Rocket Lake-E architecture, a derivative of the Rocket Lake family, using Intel's 14 nm process node manufactured in-house. It has a die size of 276 mm² and comes from the Xeon E-2300 series, targeting the server and workstation market. Its architecture is designed for sustained throughput in professional environments, with a focus on stability and features like ECC memory support.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS uses the Zen 3 architecture with the Cezanne codename, fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process. It packs 10,700 million transistors into a 180 mm² die, showcasing a more advanced manufacturing node that enables higher transistor density and efficiency. This is a mobile part from the 5000 series, designed to balance performance with power consumption.

The cache hierarchy differs in L1 capacity, with the Xeon providing 80 KB per core and the Ryzen offering 64 KB per core. Both have 512 KB of L2 per core and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The process node difference is stark: 14 nm versus 7 nm, which explains the Ryzen's lower TDP and smaller die size despite similar core counts.

The Xeon supports PCIe Gen 4 with 20 CPU lanes, while the Ryzen is limited to PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, whereas the Ryzen does not. The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, a feature absent from the Xeon, which relies on a discrete GPU. These architectural choices reflect their distinct markets: professional workstations versus premium mobile computing.

Specification Differences

The core specifications reveal a clear divergence in platform design. The Intel Xeon E-2378 has a base clock of 2.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz, with a TDP of 65 W. It uses the Intel Socket 1200 and has a part number of SRKN4. Its launch MSRP is $362.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and the same 4.80 GHz boost clock, but operates at a much lower 35 W TDP. It uses the AMD Socket FP6 and has a part number of 100-000000474. Its release date is earlier, coming out on 2021-01-11, compared to the Xeon's 2021-09-07.

Memory bandwidth differs significantly, with the Ryzen offering 68.3 GB/s versus the Xeon's 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen does not. The PCIe lanes differ as noted: Gen 4 with 20 lanes for Intel, Gen 3 with 16 lanes for AMD. The Xeon has no integrated graphics, while the Ryzen includes Radeon Vega 8.

Process technology is a major differentiator: the Xeon uses a 14 nm node with a 276 mm² die, while the Ryzen uses a 7 nm node with a 180 mm² die and 10,700 million transistors. Both processors are unlocked for overclocking, with the multiplier locked on both. The Xeon's market segment is Server/Workstation, while the Ryzen's is Mobile.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data shows a fascinating split. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS scores 2083, which is 29.2% higher than the Intel Xeon E-2378's 1474. This is a substantial margin, indicating the Ryzen's superior performance in this specific test scenario.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the Ryzen again wins with a score of 243 versus 208, a 14.4% advantage. This consistency in R15 suggests that the Ryzen's architecture is particularly well-suited to the workload characteristics of that benchmark version, likely due to its higher base clock and efficient Zen 3 core design.

The tables turn in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the Xeon scores 14633, beating the Ryzen's 12629 by 15.9%. This is a significant reversal, showing that the Xeon's Rocket Lake architecture handles the more intensive R23 workload much better, potentially due to better instruction-level parallelism or memory subsystem optimizations.

The most dramatic difference appears in Cinebench R23 single-core. The Xeon scores 2065, which is 35.1% higher than the Ryzen's 1529. This is a massive single-threaded performance advantage for the Intel part, suggesting that for lightly-threaded tasks that rely on the latest instruction sets, the Xeon is far superior.

The overall win count is even at 2-2, with each processor taking two benchmarks. The Ryzen dominates older R15 tests, while the Xeon excels in newer R23 tests. Averages tell a similar story: the Xeon's average score of 4232 edges out the Ryzen's 4121, but both are within 2.7% of each other. The Xeon's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-1265U with a delta of -0.4%, while the Ryzen's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 2700X with a delta of 0.2%.

The Verdict

The choice between these two processors depends entirely on the use case and platform requirements. The data shows the Intel Xeon E-2378 is the stronger performer in modern Cinebench R23 workloads, with a 35.1% lead in single-core and a 15.9% lead in multi-core tests. This makes it the better choice for professional rendering, video encoding, and other modern multi-threaded applications that leverage current instruction sets. Its support for ECC memory and PCIe Gen 4 further cements its position as a workstation part.

The AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS wins in Cinebench R15, taking multi-core by 29.2% and single-core by 14.4%. This, combined with its 35 W TDP and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics, makes it ideal for mobile systems where power efficiency and built-in display output are critical. Its higher memory bandwidth of 68.3 GB/s and larger transistor count on a 7 nm node also point to a more modern, efficient design.

For a fixed workstation or server environment where performance per watt is secondary to raw throughput and reliability features, the Xeon E-2378 is the data-backed choice. For a high-performance laptop or compact system where power draw and integrated graphics matter, the Ryzen 9 5980HS is clearly superior. The benchmark results are split, but the platform features are not: the Xeon targets stability and expansion, while the Ryzen targets mobility and efficiency. Neither is universally better; each wins where its design priorities align with the workload.