AMD EPYC 4244P vs Intel Core i7-12700K Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark database pits the Intel Core i7-12700K against the AMD EPYC 4244P across 17 recorded tests. Intel wins 12, AMD wins 5, but the margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count. The Intel part dominates in throughput-heavy workloads, often by wide margins, while AMD counters with decisive victories in single-threaded and specific algorithmic tests.

The largest gap in either direction appears in PassMark floating-point math. Intel scores 88035 against AMD's 45546, a delta of 93.3% in Intel's favor. That is nearly double the throughput, and it reflects a fundamental advantage in raw compute density for that workload. PassMark integer math also goes to Intel by a substantial 45.2% margin (114264 vs 78709). Data compression favors Intel at 47.6% (446595 vs 302606), and extended instructions favor Intel at 30.4% (28885 vs 22149). These are not marginal differences; they represent a class gap in parallel integer and SIMD-style work.

The Cinebench results are split in a revealing way. In Cinebench R15 multicore, Intel wins 3325 to 2327, a 42.9% advantage. In Cinebench R20 multicore, Intel wins 12229 to 9697, a 26.1% edge. But in Cinebench R23 multicore, AMD flips the result: 23089 to 19784, a 14.3% win for AMD. That reversal suggests the EPYC 4244P scales better with longer, more sustained workloads, while the Intel chip pulls ahead in shorter bursts. The R23 result is particularly notable because it is the newer benchmark iteration and one of the most widely cited.

Single-core results also split. In Cinebench R15 single-core, AMD wins 328 to 272, a 17.1% margin. In Cinebench R20 single-core, Intel wins 1726 to 1368, a 26.2% margin. Then in Cinebench R23 single-core, AMD dominates with 3259 to 1850.5, a massive 43.2% lead. That R23 single-core gap is the single largest percentage delta in the entire head-to-head set for AMD. It shows the EPYC's Zen 4 architecture has a substantial per-thread performance advantage in the most recent Cinebench version.

PassMark single-thread results tell a different story. Intel scores 4013, AMD scores 3710, a 8.2% lead for Intel. So the two chips trade blows depending on the benchmark generation and workload characteristics. In PassMark physics, AMD wins 1981 to 1790, a 9.6% margin. In PassMark find prime numbers, AMD wins 187 to 114, a 39% margin, which is its second-largest win after R23 single-core.

Intel's other wins include PassMark multithread (34404 vs 26797, 28.4%), data encryption (23408 vs 18232, 28.4%), and random string sorting (45805 vs 38048, 20.4%). The multithread score is particularly telling because the Intel chip has 12 cores and 20 threads versus AMD's 6 cores and 12 threads. Despite having half the core count, the EPYC keeps the multithread deficit to under 30%, which speaks to its higher per-core efficiency.

The Verdict

The data shows two very different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-12700K is a high-core-count desktop part with 12 cores and 20 threads, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The AMD EPYC 4244P is a 6-core, 12-thread server/workstation chip on TSMC's 5 nm node. Intel wins the majority of benchmarks, but AMD wins the most recent Cinebench R23 tests and does so by large margins.

For users prioritizing Cinebench R23 performance, the EPYC 4244P is the clear choice. Its R23 multicore score of 23089 is 14.3% ahead of Intel's 19784, and its R23 single-core score of 3259 is 43.2% ahead. Those are substantial leads in a benchmark that many content creators treat as a primary reference. The EPYC also wins PassMark physics and prime number finding, which are relevant for scientific and simulation workloads.

For users prioritizing broader throughput, the Intel part is the safer pick. It wins 12 of 17 tests, and its margins in floating-point math (93.3%), integer math (45.2%), data compression (47.6%), and extended instructions (30.4%) are decisive. The PassMark multithread score of 34404 is 28.4% ahead, which is a strong indicator for general multi-threaded productivity. The Intel chip also has integrated UHD Graphics 770, while the EPYC has Radeon Graphics, so both offer onboard display output, but the Intel part is aimed at desktop use while the EPYC targets server/workstation duty.

Average benchmark scores are close. The Intel part averages 35287, the AMD part averages 34220, a difference of roughly 3% in Intel's favor. Both sit at the 84th percentile versus all CPUs in the database. The nearest rivals for Intel include the Core i5-13600T (avg 35305, delta -0.1%), Core i7-12700KF (avg 35365, delta -0.2%), and Core i7-13700T (avg 35403, delta -0.3%). For AMD, the nearest rivals are the Ryzen AI 7 350 (avg 34222, delta 0%), Ryzen 7 3700X (avg 34260, delta -0.1%), and Core Ultra 7 165H (avg 34083, delta 0.4%). These tight deltas indicate both chips are well-positioned within their respective performance tiers.

The verdict depends on workload mix. If the primary benchmark is Cinebench R23, pick the EPYC 4244P. If the workload spans a wider variety of parallel tasks, the Intel Core i7-12700K offers more consistent wins and a higher average score. The EPYC's lower TDP of 65 watts versus Intel's 125 watts is also worth noting, though the database does not provide efficiency-per-watt figures.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural lineages. The Intel Core i7-12700K uses Alder Lake, specifically the Alder Lake-S die, built on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's own foundry. The AMD EPYC 4244P uses Zen 4, codenamed Raphael, built on TSMC's 5 nm process. The die size difference is stark: Intel's die measures 215 mm², while AMD's measures just 71 mm². AMD also lists 6,570 million transistors, while Intel does not provide a transistor count in the database.

The core counts differ significantly. Intel has 12 cores and 20 threads, AMD has 6 cores and 12 threads. This means the Intel part relies on a hybrid design with more total threads, while the AMD part uses fewer, larger cores. The AMD EPYC is a single-chiplet design with a small die, which is typical for Zen 4's chiplet architecture, though the database does not specify chiplet layout.

Cache hierarchies also differ. Intel provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 25 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. So AMD has a larger L3 pool (32 MB vs 25 MB), but Intel has more per-core L1 and L2. The larger L3 on AMD likely contributes to its strong Cinebench R23 single-core result, as more cache can reduce memory latency for working sets.

The memory support differs as well. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5, while AMD supports only DDR5. Both use a dual-channel memory bus. AMD lists a memory bandwidth of 83.2 GB/s, while Intel does not provide a bandwidth figure. AMD also supports ECC memory, while Intel does not. This is a critical distinction for server/workstation use, where data integrity is paramount.

PCIe connectivity favors AMD. The EPYC 4244P provides Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU, while the Intel part provides Gen 4 with 20 lanes. That is a generation ahead and 8 lanes more, which matters for high-bandwidth expansion cards and NVMe storage arrays. Both parts have integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 770 and AMD Radeon Graphics, though the database does not provide GPU benchmark scores.

The production status for both is listed as Active. The Intel part was released on 2021-11-03, while the AMD part was released on 2024-05-20. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, the AMD part does not. The Intel part number is SRL4N, the AMD part number is 100-000001480.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: Intel 12 vs AMD 6
• Threads: Intel 20 vs AMD 12
• Base clock: Intel 3.60 GHz vs AMD 3.80 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel 5.00 GHz vs AMD 5.10 GHz
• TDP: Intel 125 W vs AMD 65 W
• Socket: Intel Socket 1700 vs AMD Socket AM5
• Process node: Intel 10 nm vs AMD 5 nm
• Foundry: Intel vs TSMC
• Die size: Intel 215 mm² vs AMD 71 mm²
• Transistors: Intel not listed vs AMD 6,570 million
• L1 cache per core: Intel 80 KB vs AMD 64 KB
• L2 cache per core: Intel 1.25 MB vs AMD 1 MB
• L3 cache shared: Intel 25 MB vs AMD 32 MB
• Memory support: Intel DDR4, DDR5 vs AMD DDR5 only
• Memory bandwidth: Intel not listed vs AMD 83.2 GB/s
• ECC memory: Intel false vs AMD true
• PCIe: Intel Gen 4, 20 lanes vs AMD Gen 5, 28 lanes
• Integrated graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 770 vs AMD Radeon Graphics
• Market segment: Intel Desktop vs AMD Server/Workstation
• Release date: Intel 2021-11-03 vs AMD 2024-05-20
• Launch MSRP: Intel $409 vs AMD $229
• Multiplier unlocked: Intel true vs AMD false
• Part number: Intel SRL4N vs AMD 100-000001480

The TDP difference is significant: 125 W versus 65 W, meaning the AMD part draws less than half the thermal design power of the Intel chip. The clock speeds are close, with AMD slightly higher in both base (3.80 vs 3.60) and boost (5.10 vs 5.00). The AMD part is built on a more advanced 5 nm node, which explains its smaller die and lower TDP despite higher clocks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K averages 35287, while the AMD EPYC 4244P averages 34220. That is a difference of approximately 3% in Intel's favor. Both sit at the 84th percentile versus all CPUs in the database.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark win for each processor?

A: Intel's largest win is in PassMark floating-point math, scoring 88035 versus AMD's 45546, a 93.3% margin. AMD's largest win is in Cinebench R23 single-core, scoring 3259 versus Intel's 1850.5, a 43.2% margin.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: AMD wins R23 multicore with 23089 versus Intel's 19784, a 14.3% advantage. This is notable because Intel wins the earlier R15 and R20 multicore tests, suggesting AMD's advantage grows with longer, more modern render workloads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD EPYC 4244P supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i7-12700K does not. This makes the AMD part more suitable for server or workstation environments where memory error correction is required.

Q: What are the PCIe capabilities of each chip?

A: The AMD EPYC 4244P provides PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes from the CPU. The Intel Core i7-12700K provides PCIe Gen 4 with 20 lanes. AMD's offering is a generation newer and has 8 additional lanes.

Q: Which processor has more threads and what is the multithread score difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-12700K has 20 threads versus 12 threads on the AMD EPYC 4244P. In PassMark multithread, Intel scores 34404 versus AMD's 26797, a 28.4% lead for Intel despite the thread count advantage being 66.7% in Intel's favor.