Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon E-2146G

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

6 Cores12 Thrd65 WWMax: 4.6 GHz2020
Ryzen family
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VS
Intel

Xeon E-2146G

6 Cores12 Thrd80 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2018
Similar parts
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Ryzen 5 5600X vs Xeon E-2146G 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 5600X 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 5600X 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 5600X

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +16.0% 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

  • Launch MSRP is still $299 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.
  • No boxed cooler included, unlike Xeon E-2146G.

Xeon E-2146G

2018

Why buy it

  • Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics P630, while Ryzen 5 5600X needs a discrete GPU.
  • Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 5 5600X.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 5 5600X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (13,240 vs 21,845).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 32 MB).
  • 23.1% higher power demand at 80W vs 65W.

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 5 5600X 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 5600X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Ryzen 5 5600X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 16.0% 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, Ryzen 5 5600X is the stronger fit. You are getting 65% better PassMark, backed by 6 cores and 12 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 12 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Ryzen 5 5600X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 5 5600X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $299 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 16.0% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (73.1 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 5600X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 166.7% larger total L3 cache (32 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 5600X vs Xeon E-2146G Technical Specifications

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

AMD

Ryzen 5 5600X

The Ryzen 5 5600X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 6 cores and 12 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.6 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 21,845 points. Launch price was $299.

Intel

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.

Processing Power

Both the Ryzen 5 5600X and Xeon E-2146G share an identical 6-core/12-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.6 GHz on the Ryzen 5 5600X versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E-2146G — a 2.2% clock advantage for the Ryzen 5 5600X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 5 5600X uses the Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022) architecture (7 nm, 12 nm), while the Xeon E-2146G uses Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Ryzen 5 5600X scores 21,845 against the Xeon E-2146G's 13,240 — a 49.1% lead for the Ryzen 5 5600X. L3 cache: 32 MB on the Ryzen 5 5600X vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2146G.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XXeon E-2146G
Cores / Threads
6 / 12
6 / 12
Boost Clock
4.6 GHz+2%
4.5 GHz
Base Clock
3.7 GHz+6%
3.5 GHz
L3 Cache
32 MB+167%
12 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+100%
256 kB (per core)
Process
7 nm, 12 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Vermeer (Zen 3) (2020−2022)
Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark
21,845+65%
13,240
Geekbench 6 Single
1,557
Geekbench 6 Multi
6,385
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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 5 5600X 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 5600X versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon E-2146G — the Ryzen 5 5600X 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 5600X) vs 16 (Xeon E-2146G) — the Ryzen 5 5600X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: AMD 500 series,AMD 400 series,AMD 300 series (Ryzen 5 5600X) and C242,C246 (Xeon E-2146G).

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XXeon 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
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24+50%
16
🔧

Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 5 5600X) vs Yes (Xeon E-2146G). The Xeon E-2146G includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), while the Ryzen 5 5600X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 5 5600X targets Desktop.

FeatureRyzen 5 5600XXeon E-2146G
Integrated GPU
No
Yes
IGPU Model
UHD Graphics P630
Unlocked
Yes
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
AMD-V
Yes
Target Use
Desktop