Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E-2146G

Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E-2146G Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 5 3600

6 / 12

17,685

+33.6%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Xeon E-2146G

6 / 12

13,240

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 3600 vs Xeon E-2146G 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 3600 vs Xeon E-2146G: 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 3600

2019

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +14.4% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
✅Draws 65W instead of 80W, a 15W reduction.
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (1,898 vs 6,385).
❌Launch MSRP is still $199 MSRP, while Xeon E-2146G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌No integrated graphics, while Xeon E-2146G can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Xeon E-2146G

2018

Why buy it

✅+236.4% higher Geekbench multi-core.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics P630, while Ryzen 5 3600 needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 3600 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
❌23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 3600 better than Xeon E-2146G?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E-2146G makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 3600 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, Xeon E-2146G is the stronger fit. You are getting 236.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

Ryzen 5 3600 is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 3600 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $199 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 14.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E-2146G is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 236.4% better Geekbench multi-core. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (88.9 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 3600 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2019 vs 2018) and 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 5 3600 vs Xeon E-2146G Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 5 3600

The Ryzen 5 3600 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 July 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.6 GHz, with boost up to 4.2 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Dual-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 17,685 points. Launch price was $199.

Xeon E-2146G

The Xeon E-2146G is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 12 July 2018 (7 years ago). It is based on the Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 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: 13,240 points. Launch price was $317.

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Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 3600 and Xeon E-2146G share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.2 GHz on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E-2146G — a 6.9% clock advantage for the Xeon E-2146G (base: 3.6 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the Matisse (2019−2020) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E-2146G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 3600 scores 17,685 against the Xeon E-2146G's 13,240 — a 28.7% lead for the Ryzen 5 3600. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,295 vs 1,557, a 18.4% lead for the Xeon E-2146G that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 1,898 vs 6,385 (108.3% advantage for the Xeon E-2146G). L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 3600 vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2146G.

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon E-2146G
Cores / Threads	6 / 12	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.2 GHz	4.5 GHz+7%
Base Clock	3.6 GHz+3%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	32 MB (total)+167%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Matisse (2019−2020)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	17,685+34%	13,240
Cinebench R23 Multi	9,500	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,295	1,557+20%
Geekbench 6 Multi	1,898	6,385+236%

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 3600 uses the AM4 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E-2146G uses LGA1151 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 5 3600 versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon E-2146G — the Ryzen 5 3600 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. Both support up to 128 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. PCIe lanes: 24 (Ryzen 5 3600) vs 16 (Xeon E-2146G) — the Ryzen 5 3600 offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD B550,AMD X570,AMD B450,AMD X470 (Ryzen 5 3600) and C242,C246 (Xeon E-2146G).

Feature	Ryzen 5 3600	Xeon E-2146G
Socket	AM4	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	128 GB	128 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24+50%	16

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Advanced Features

Both support Yes virtualization. The Xeon E-2146G includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), while the Ryzen 5 3600 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 3600 targets Gaming/Budget Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 5 3600 rivals Core i5-10400.