Ryzen 5 4600H vs Xeon E5-2697 v2

AMD

Ryzen 5 4600H

6 Cores12 Thrd45 WWMax: 4 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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VS
Intel

Xeon E5-2697 v2

12 Cores24 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.5 GHz2013
Similar parts
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Ryzen 5 4600H vs Xeon E5-2697 v2 Performance Spectrum

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 4600H vs Xeon E5-2697 v2 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 4600H vs Xeon E5-2697 v2: 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 4600H

2020

Why buy it

  • Draws 45W instead of 130W, a 85W reduction.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E5-2697 v2 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (14,173 vs 14,267).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (8 MB vs 30 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than Xeon E5-2697 v2, which brings 12 cores / 24 threads and 40 PCIe lanes.

Xeon E5-2697 v2

2013

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +23.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • +275% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 8 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 12 cores / 24 threads, plus 40 PCIe lanes vs 0.
  • 100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • 188.9% higher power demand at 130W vs 45W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon E5-2697 v2 better than Ryzen 5 4600H?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E5-2697 v2 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Ryzen 5 4600H is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon E5-2697 v2 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 23.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-2697 v2 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.7% better PassMark, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 275% larger total L3 cache (30 MB vs 8 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon E5-2697 v2 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon E5-2697 v2 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 23.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Ryzen 5 4600H makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Ryzen 5 4600H vs Xeon E5-2697 v2 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 4600H

The Ryzen 5 4600H is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 6 January 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Renoir-H (Zen 2) (2020) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: FP6. Thermal design power (TDP): 45 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 14,173 points. Launch price was $149.

Intel

Xeon E5-2697 v2

The Xeon E5-2697 v2 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 September 2013 (12 years ago). It is based on the Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.7 GHz, with boost up to 3.5 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 14,267 points. Launch price was $1,723.

Processing Power

The Ryzen 5 4600H packs 6 cores / 12 threads, while the Xeon E5-2697 v2 offers 12 cores / 24 threads — the Xeon E5-2697 v2 has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4 GHz on the Ryzen 5 4600H versus 3.5 GHz on the Xeon E5-2697 v2 — a 13.3% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 4600H (base: 3 GHz vs 2.7 GHz). The Ryzen 5 4600H uses the Renoir-H (Zen 2) (2020) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon E5-2697 v2 uses Ivy Bridge-EP (2013) (22 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 4600H scores 14,173 against the Xeon E5-2697 v2's 14,267 — a 0.7% lead for the Xeon E5-2697 v2. L3 cache: 8 MB (total) on the Ryzen 5 4600H vs 30 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-2697 v2.

FeatureRyzen 5 4600HXeon E5-2697 v2
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
12 / 24+100%
Boost Clock
4 GHz+14%
3.5 GHz
Base Clock
3 GHz+11%
2.7 GHz
L3 Cache
8 MB (total)
30 MB (total)+275%
L2 Cache
512 kB (per core)+100%
256K (per core)
Process
7 nm-68%
22 nm
Architecture
Renoir-H (Zen 2) (2020)
Ivy Bridge-EP (2013)
PassMark
14,173
14,267
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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 4600H uses the FP6 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E5-2697 v2 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureRyzen 5 4600HXeon E5-2697 v2
Socket
FP6
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 3.0
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR3-1866
Max RAM Capacity
768 GB
RAM Channels
4
ECC Support
Yes
PCIe Lanes
40