AMD EPYC 4364P vs Intel Core i9-12900F Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-12900F has 16 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD EPYC 4364P has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel part offers double the core count and 50% more threads.

Q: What are the clock speed differences between the two?

A: The AMD EPYC 4364P has a base clock of 4.50 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core i9-12900F has a base clock of 2.40 GHz and a boost clock of 5.10 GHz. The AMD chip starts at a much higher base frequency.

Q: Which processor supports faster memory bandwidth?

A: The AMD EPYC 4364P supports 83.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Intel Core i9-12900F supports 76.8 GB/s. Both use dual-channel memory buses, but the AMD part has the higher bandwidth figure.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-12900F and the AMD EPYC 4364P support ECC memory. This is notable for the Intel desktop part, as ECC support is not universal among desktop processors.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD EPYC 4364P has 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i9-12900F has 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part provides significantly more expansion capability.

Q: What is the process node difference between the two chips?

A: The AMD EPYC 4364P is built on a 5 nm process by TSMC, while the Intel Core i9-12900F uses a 10 nm process from Intel. The AMD chip also has a much smaller die size at 71 mm² compared to 215 mm² for the Intel part.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i9-12900F and AMD EPYC 4364P represent fundamentally different architectural approaches. The Intel chip uses the Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-S, which is the desktop variant of Intel's 12th generation Core family. The AMD EPYC 4364P is based on Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Raphael, and belongs to the EPYC 4004 series.

The process technology gap is substantial. Intel fabricates the Core i9-12900F on its own 10 nm process with a die size of 215 mm². AMD outsources manufacturing to TSMC, using a 5 nm process that results in a much smaller 71 mm² die. The AMD chip contains 6,570 million transistors on that smaller die, while the transistor count for the Intel part is not recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ in both capacity and organization. The Intel chip provides 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 30 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. The total L3 advantage goes to AMD, but Intel has larger per-core L1 and L2 allocations.

Memory support reveals another split. The Intel Core i9-12900F supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, giving builders flexibility across two memory generations. The AMD EPYC 4364P supports only DDR5. Both use dual-channel memory buses, though the AMD chip records a higher memory bandwidth at 83.2 GB/s versus 76.8 GB/s for Intel.

The platform targets differ sharply. The Intel part is a desktop processor on Intel Socket 1700 with an unlocked multiplier. The AMD EPYC 4364P is a server or workstation processor on AMD Socket AM5 with a locked multiplier. The AMD chip also includes integrated Radeon Graphics, while the Intel part has no integrated graphics listed. The EPYC 4364P has 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes versus 16 for the Intel chip, reflecting its server-oriented expansion needs. The Intel part was released on 2022-01-03, while the AMD part came later on 2024-05-20.

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a clear picture for most workloads. The Intel Core i9-12900F wins 15 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, including every Cinebench test and the majority of Passmark tests. Its multi-threaded advantages are consistent across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, with margins of 2.7% to 2.9%. The largest Intel win is in Passmark floating point math, where it leads by 44.1%.

The AMD EPYC 4364P wins only two tests, but they are telling. It leads in Passmark extended instructions by 10.6% and in Passmark find prime numbers by 28.2%. These are specialized workloads where Zen 4's architecture shows specific strengths.

For general desktop users, content creators, and anyone running standard productivity or rendering workloads, the Intel Core i9-12900F is the better choice based on the recorded data. It consistently outperforms in Cinebench rendering tests and most Passmark math workloads, while also having a higher average benchmark score of 47176 compared to 45970 for the AMD chip.

For server or workstation environments where the workload involves extended instruction sets or prime number calculations, the AMD EPYC 4364P has a measurable edge. Its higher base clock, 5.40 GHz boost, and 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes also make it more suitable for certain server configurations. The AMD chip also has a higher memory bandwidth at 83.2 GB/s.

The choice comes down to workload profile. The data shows the Intel chip as the broader performer, while the AMD chip excels in specific computational patterns and offers server-oriented platform features.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every major specification field.

Cores and threads: The Intel Core i9-12900F has 16 cores and 24 threads. The AMD EPYC 4364P has 8 cores and 16 threads.

Clocks: The Intel chip has a 2.40 GHz base clock and 5.10 GHz boost. The AMD chip has a 4.50 GHz base clock and 5.40 GHz boost.

TDP: The Intel part is rated at 65 W, while the AMD part is rated at 105 W.

Process and foundry: Intel uses a 10 nm process at its own foundry. AMD uses a 5 nm process at TSMC, with 6,570 million transistors on a 71 mm² die. The Intel die is 215 mm².

Cache: Intel provides 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 30 MB shared L3. AMD provides 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3.

Memory: Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with 76.8 GB/s bandwidth. AMD supports only DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s bandwidth. Both are dual-channel and both support ECC.

PCIe: Intel has Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). AMD has Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only).

Integrated graphics: The Intel chip has none listed. The AMD chip includes Radeon Graphics.

Socket and platform: Intel uses Socket 1700 for desktop. AMD uses Socket AM5 for server or workstation. The Intel multiplier is unlocked; the AMD multiplier is locked.

Release date: Intel launched on 2022-01-03. AMD launched on 2024-05-20.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows consistent, if modest, Intel advantages. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel Core i9-12900F scores 3064 against 2982 for the AMD EPYC 4364P, a 2.7% lead. The single-core R15 test shows 432 versus 420, a 2.9% margin. R20 multicore repeats the pattern with 12770 versus 12427, a 2.8% difference, and R20 single-core has 1802 versus 1754, another 2.7% gap. R23 multicore produces 30405 versus 29589, a 2.8% lead, while R23 single-core gives 4292 versus 4177, again 2.8%. These consistent margins suggest the Intel part holds a steady advantage across rendering generations.

The Passmark suite reveals where each chip truly excels. The largest Intel win is in floating point math, where the Intel Core i9-12900F scores 96452 against 66946 for the AMD chip, a commanding 44.1% lead. Integer math also favors Intel heavily at 129504 versus 107775, a 20.2% margin. Data compression shows Intel ahead by 10.6% with 451402 versus 408220. Single-thread performance favors Intel by 11% with 4017 versus 3619. Data encryption gives Intel a 4.5% edge at 25251 versus 24174. Multithread performance is 6% higher on Intel at 35912 versus 33883. Physics tests show a 3.2% Intel lead at 1842 versus 1785. Random string sorting is nearly identical, with Intel at 48477 and AMD at 48344, a 0.3% difference.

The AMD EPYC 4364P takes its wins in specific computational areas. Passmark extended instructions show AMD at 31605 against Intel's 28265, a 10.6% advantage. The prime numbers test gives AMD a 28.2% lead with 177 versus 127. These two wins indicate that for certain instruction-heavy or number-theoretic workloads, the Zen 4 architecture in the AMD chip delivers substantially better results.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-12900F dominates in rendering and general math workloads. Every Cinebench test, from R15 through R23, goes to Intel with margins between 2.7% and 2.9%. The rendering workloads benefit from the Intel chip's higher core count of 16 versus 8, and the thread count advantage of 24 versus 16 shows in the multicore tests.

For floating point math, the Intel advantage is overwhelming. The 44.1% lead in Passmark floating point math is the largest single margin in the entire comparison. Integer math also strongly favors Intel at 20.2% ahead. Data compression favors Intel by 10.6%, and single-thread performance is 11% higher on the Intel chip. Data encryption, multithread performance, physics, and random string sorting all go to Intel with margins from 0.3% to 6%.

The AMD EPYC 4364P wins in two specialized categories. The 28.2% lead in Passmark find prime numbers suggests an architectural strength in algorithms that rely on division and modulus operations, where Zen 4's execution resources appear more efficient. The 10.6% lead in extended instructions indicates that workloads using advanced instruction sets see better throughput on the AMD chip.

The platform story also matters. The AMD EPYC 4364P offers 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes, integrated Radeon Graphics, and higher memory bandwidth at 83.2 GB/s. It targets server and workstation environments where these features matter. The Intel Core i9-12900F, with its unlocked multiplier, 65 W TDP, and DDR4 or DDR5 memory support, targets desktop users who may want overclocking headroom or memory flexibility. The Intel part also has a higher average benchmark score of 47176 versus 45970 for AMD.

For users running standard desktop workloads, rendering, or general productivity, the Intel chip wins in the majority of recorded tests. For users with specialized instruction-heavy workloads or server environments requiring more PCIe lanes and integrated graphics, the AMD chip holds specific advantages. The data shows a clear split: Intel for broad performance, AMD for specialized computation and server platform features.