Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E-2146G

Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E-2146G Performance Spectrum

Ryzen 9 5900X

12 / 24

38,955

+194.2%

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9975WX

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 9 5900X 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 9 5900X 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 9 5900X

2020

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +55.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅+433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).
✅50% more PCIe lanes (24 vs 16) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Launch MSRP is still $549 MSRP, while Xeon E-2146G mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌31.3% higher power demand at 105W vs 80W.
❌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

✅Draws 80W instead of 105W, a 25W reduction.
✅Integrated graphics onboard with UHD Graphics P630, while Ryzen 9 5900X needs a discrete GPU.
✅Includes a boxed cooler (Yes), unlike Ryzen 9 5900X.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Ryzen 9 5900X across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (6,385 vs 11,888).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (12 MB vs 64 MB).

Quick Answers

So, is Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X 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 9 5900X is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 55.6% 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 9 5900X is the stronger fit. You are getting 86.2% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 12 cores and 24 threads. It also has the larger cache pool with 433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB).

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

Ryzen 9 5900X is the better buy right now. Ryzen 9 5900X comes in at an unclear MSRP at $549 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 55.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (71.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), 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 9 5900X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2018), 433.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 12 MB), and more multi-core headroom with 12 cores / 24 threads instead of 6/12. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Ryzen 9 5900X vs Xeon E-2146G Technical Specifications

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

Ryzen 9 5900X

The Ryzen 9 5900X is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 November 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022) architecture. It features 12 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 3.7 GHz, with boost up to 4.8 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 7 nm, 12 nm process technology. Socket: AM4. Thermal design power (TDP): 105 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-3200. Passmark benchmark score: 38,955 points. Launch price was $549.

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

The Ryzen 9 5900X packs 12 cores / 24 threads, while the Xeon E-2146G offers 6 cores / 12 threads — the Ryzen 9 5900X has 6 more cores. Boost clocks reach 4.8 GHz on the Ryzen 9 5900X versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E-2146G — a 6.5% clock advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X (base: 3.7 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The Ryzen 9 5900X uses the Vermeer (Zen3) (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 9 5900X scores 38,955 against the Xeon E-2146G's 13,240 — a 98.5% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 2,174 vs 1,557, a 33.1% lead for the Ryzen 9 5900X that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,888 vs 6,385 (60.2% advantage for the Ryzen 9 5900X). L3 cache: 64 MB on the Ryzen 9 5900X vs 12 MB (total) on the Xeon E-2146G.

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	Xeon E-2146G
Cores / Threads	12 / 24+100%	6 / 12
Boost Clock	4.8 GHz+7%	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	3.7 GHz+6%	3.5 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB+433%	12 MB (total)
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+100%	256 kB (per core)
Process	7 nm, 12 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Vermeer (Zen3) (2020−2022)	Coffee Lake-S WS (2018−2019)
PassMark	38,955+194%	13,240
Cinebench R23 Multi	21,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	2,174+40%	1,557
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,888+86%	6,385

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Memory & Platform

The Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon E-2146G — the Ryzen 9 5900X 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 9 5900X) vs 16 (Xeon E-2146G) — the Ryzen 9 5900X offers 8 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: A320,B350,X370,B450,X470,B550,X570 (Ryzen 9 5900X) and C242,C246 (Xeon E-2146G).

Feature	Ryzen 9 5900X	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	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	24+50%	16

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Advanced Features

Virtualization support: AMD-V (Ryzen 9 5900X) vs Yes (Xeon E-2146G). The Xeon E-2146G includes integrated graphics (UHD Graphics P630), while the Ryzen 9 5900X requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Ryzen 9 5900X targets Workstation. Direct competitor: Ryzen 9 5900X rivals Core i9-12900K.