AMD EPYC 4124P vs Intel Core i9-11900F Comparison

The Intel Core i9-11900F and AMD EPYC 4124P are remarkably close in overall benchmark averages, but they achieve parity through completely different means. The data shows the Intel part wins 13 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD chip wins 4. With average benchmark scores of 23254 for the Intel and 23167 for the AMD, the difference is a mere 0.4%. However, the Intel Core i9-11900F is the clear choice for multi-threaded workloads, leading by margins between 17.2% and 58.4% in most tests. The AMD EPYC 4124P counters with superior single-thread performance in PassMark, scoring 3897 versus 3413, and wins in prime number calculation and physics tests. For a desktop user seeking raw multi-core throughput, the Intel part is the data-driven pick. For server or workstation deployments where single-thread efficiency and platform features like ECC memory matter, the EPYC 4124P holds distinct advantages despite its lower core count.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture: the Intel Core i9-11900F is the performance winner for general productivity and multi-threaded tasks. Its 8 cores and 16 threads deliver a 22.9% lead over the EPYC 4124P in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 18759 versus 15264. The Intel chip also dominates in PassMark integer math (83718 vs 52855, a 58.4% advantage) and floating-point math (48562 vs 31518, a 54.1% lead). If your workload is heavily parallelized—rendering, encoding, or compilation—the Intel part is unequivocally stronger.

The AMD EPYC 4124P, despite having only 4 cores and 8 threads, wins the single-thread PassMark test decisively, scoring 3897 versus 3413 (a 12.4% margin). It also leads in PassMark physics (1087 vs 949) and prime number finding (89 vs 61). This makes it the pick for lightly-threaded, latency-sensitive applications or workloads that favor the Zen 4 architecture’s efficiency. Additionally, the EPYC 4124P is an active, current product on Socket AM5 with DDR5 support and ECC memory, whereas the Intel chip is end-of-life on DDR4.

The overall percentile rankings are identical at 76 for both, and the average scores are within 0.4% of each other. This means neither processor is a universal slam dunk. The verdict hinges on your thread count needs: choose the Intel for multi-core muscle, choose the AMD for single-thread wins and modern platform features.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i9-11900F uses Rocket Lake architecture, built on Intel’s 14 nm process with a die size of 276 mm². It features 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache.

The AMD EPYC 4124P is based on Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Raphael, manufactured on TSMC’s 5 nm process. It packs 6,570 million transistors into a 71 mm² die. It has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. Its cache configuration differs significantly: 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3 cache.

The memory support is a major differentiator. The Intel chip uses dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The AMD chip uses dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth and full ECC support. The EPYC also includes integrated Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics. The AMD chip offers PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes, while the Intel offers PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes.

These architectural differences explain the benchmark outcomes. The Intel’s higher core count drives its multi-threaded wins, while the AMD’s smaller, denser Zen 4 cores with larger L3 cache per core (8 MB per core versus 2 MB per core on the Intel) enable its single-thread superiority.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most lopsided victories for the Intel Core i9-11900F come in PassMark math tests. In integer math, the Intel scores 83718 versus 52855 for the AMD, a 58.4% advantage. In floating-point math, the Intel leads 48562 to 31518, a 54.1% margin. These are the largest deltas in the entire benchmark suite, underscoring the Intel’s raw computational throughput with its 8 full cores.

In Cinebench tests, the Intel’s lead is consistent at roughly 23% across all versions. R15 multi-core shows 1890 vs 1538 (22.9%), R20 multi-core shows 7878 vs 6410 (22.9%), and R23 multi-core shows 18759 vs 15264 (22.9%). The single-core Cinebench results follow the same pattern, with the Intel leading by 23.1% in R15 (266 vs 216) and 22.9% in R23 (2648 vs 2154).

PassMark data compression favors the Intel by 37% (280847 vs 204926), while random string sorting shows a 34.1% Intel lead (32520 vs 24259). Extended instructions see a 29.2% advantage for the Intel (19443 vs 15049), and data encryption shows a 17.2% lead (13636 vs 11630). The PassMark multi-thread score gives the Intel a 21.9% win (22115 vs 18139).

The AMD EPYC 4124P wins four tests. Its biggest win is in PassMark single-thread, scoring 3897 versus 3413, a 12.4% margin. It also wins PassMark physics (1087 vs 949, a 12.7% lead) and PassMark find prime numbers (89 vs 61, a 31.5% edge). These wins highlight the AMD’s efficiency in specific single-threaded or specialized tasks.

Specification Differences

The table below highlights only the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | Intel Core i9-11900F | AMD EPYC 4124P |

|----------------|----------------------|-----------------|

| Cores | 8 | 4 |

| Threads | 16 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 5.10 GHz |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 6,570 million |

| Die Size | 276 mm² | 71 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 83.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 20 Lanes | Gen 5, 28 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Graphics |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2021-03-15 | 2024-05-20 |

| Launch MSRP | $422 | $149 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i9-11900F has an average benchmark score of 23254, while the AMD EPYC 4124P scores 23167. The difference is 0.4% in favor of the Intel, and both processors rank in the 76th percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How does the core count affect the head-to-head results?

A: The Intel’s 8 cores and 16 threads outperform the AMD’s 4 cores and 8 threads in all Cinebench multi-core tests, with a consistent 22.9% lead. However, the AMD’s higher base clock (3.80 GHz vs 2.50 GHz) contributes to its wins in PassMark single-thread tests.

Q: Does the AMD EPYC 4124P support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD EPYC 4124P supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i9-11900F does not. The AMD also uses DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth, compared to the Intel’s DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s.

Q: What is the biggest performance margin in any single test?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark integer math, where the Intel Core i9-11900F scores 83718 versus 52855 for the AMD, a 58.4% advantage. The AMD’s largest win is in PassMark find prime numbers, where it leads 89 to 61, a 31.5% margin.

Q: Which processor is newer and still in production?

A: The AMD EPYC 4124P was released on 2024-05-20 and is marked as Active in production. The Intel Core i9-11900F was released on 2021-03-15 and is marked as End-of-life.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the AMD EPYC 4124P wins?

A: Yes, the AMD wins 4 of 17 head-to-head tests: PassMark single-thread (3897 vs 3413), PassMark singlethread (3897 vs 3413), PassMark physics (1087 vs 949), and PassMark find prime numbers (89 vs 61).

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-11900F is the clear winner for multi-threaded desktop workloads. Its 13 benchmark wins include all Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23) across both single and multi-core, where it consistently leads by 22.9% to 23.1%. It also dominates PassMark integer and floating-point math, data compression, random string sorting, extended instructions, data encryption, and the overall PassMark multi-thread score. This makes it the superior choice for video rendering, 3D modeling, software compilation, and any task that scales with core count.

The AMD EPYC 4124P wins in PassMark single-thread performance, where its 3897 score beats the Intel’s 3413 by 12.4%. It also wins in PassMark physics and prime number finding. For server or workstation environments where individual thread responsiveness is critical, or where the workload involves mathematical prime calculations, the AMD part excels. Its modern platform advantages—DDR5 memory, ECC support, PCIe Gen 5, and integrated Radeon Graphics—further cement its position for enterprise deployments. The AMD also offers a higher base clock (3.80 GHz vs 2.50 GHz), which translates to better out-of-the-box performance in lightly-threaded tasks.

For a desktop builder prioritizing multi-core muscle and willing to accept an end-of-life platform, the Intel Core i9-11900F is the data-backed winner. For a system integrator needing ECC, DDR5, and current production status with strong single-thread efficiency, the AMD EPYC 4124P is the logical pick.