Ryzen 5 2600X vs Xeon E-2246G

Ryzen 5 2600X vs Xeon E-2246G Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 2600X

6 / 12

13,880

+0.3%

Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9955WX

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E-2246G

6 / 12

13,832

0.0%

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Ryzen 5 2600X vs Xeon E-2246G FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Ryzen 5 2600X vs Xeon E-2246G: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Ryzen 5 2600X

2018

Why buy it

✅+0.3% higher PassMark.
✅+33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Costs $82 less on MSRP ($229 MSRP vs $311 MSRP).
✅Delivers 36.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 60.6 vs 44.5 PassMark/$ ($229 MSRP vs $311 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌18.8% higher power demand at 95W vs 80W.

Xeon E-2246G

2019

Why buy it

✅Draws 80W instead of 95W, a 15W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (13,832 vs 13,880).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 16 MB).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 44.5 vs 60.6 PassMark/$ ($311 MSRP vs $229 MSRP).
❌No boxed cooler included, unlike Ryzen 5 2600X.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 2600X better than Xeon E-2246G?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2246G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 2600X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Ryzen 5 2600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.3% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB).

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Ryzen 5 2600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 2600X comes in $82 cheaper on MSRP at $229 MSRP versus $311 MSRP, and it still gives you 0.3% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E-2246G is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 2.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 36.3% better value on MSRP (60.6 vs 44.5 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Ryzen 5 2600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting 33.3% larger total L3 cache (16 MB vs 12 MB) and more multi-core headroom with 6 cores / 12 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 5 2600X vs Xeon E-2246G Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Ryzen 5 2600X

The Ryzen 5 2600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 19 April 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.25 GHz. L3 cache: 16 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 95 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 13,880 points. Launch price was $229.

Xeon E-2246G

The Xeon E-2246G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 29 May 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 12 MB (total). L2 cache: 256 kB (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 80 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 13,832 points. Launch price was $311.

⚡

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 2600X and Xeon E-2246G share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.25 GHz on the Ryzen 5 2600X versus 4.8 GHz on the Xeon E-2246G — a 12.2% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2246G (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.6 GHz). The Ryzen 5 2600X uses the Zen+ (2018−2019) architecture (12 nm), while the Xeon E-2246G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 2600X scores 13,880 against the Xeon E-2246G's 13,832 — a 0.3% lead for the Ryzen 5 2600X. L3 cache: 16 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 2600X vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2246G.

Feature	Ryzen 5 2600X	Xeon E-2246G
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.25 GHz	4.8 GHz+13%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz	3.6 GHz
L3 Cache	16 MB (total)+33%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	12 nm-14%	14 nm
Architecture	Zen+ (2018−2019)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	13,880	13,832
Cinebench R23 Multi	7,514	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,242	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	5,247	—

🧠

Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 2600X uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E-2246G uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Ryzen 5 2600X	Xeon E-2246G
Socket	AM4	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2933	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	Yes	—
PCIe Lanes	24	—

🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 2600X) / not specified (Xeon E-2246G). Primary use case: Ryzen 5 2600X targets Gaming. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 2600X rivals Core i5-9600K.

Feature	Ryzen 5 2600X	Xeon E-2246G
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	AMD-V	—
Target Use	Gaming	—

💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the Ryzen 5 2600X was priced at $229, while the Xeon E-2246G came in at $311. On launch pricing ($229 vs $311), Ryzen 5 2600X was $82 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Ryzen 5 2600X delivers 60.6 pts/$ vs 44.5 pts/$ for the Xeon E-2246G — making the Ryzen 5 2600X the 30.7% better value option.

Feature	Ryzen 5 2600X	Xeon E-2246G
MSRP	$229-26%	$311
Performance per Dollar	60.6+36%	44.5
Release Date	2018	2019

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