AMD EPYC 4464P vs Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD EPYC 4464P wins decisively with a score of 40215, which is 23.3% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX's 32612.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any single-core tests?

A: Yes. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins the single-core PassMark test (4562 vs 4146) and Cinebench R20 single-core (2426 vs 2384). However, in Cinebench R23 single-core, the AMD EPYC 4464P dominates with a score of 5677 versus 2163.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has 20 cores and 20 threads. The AMD EPYC 4464P has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has a higher memory bandwidth at 102.4 GB/s, while the AMD EPYC 4464P has 83.2 GB/s.

Q: Which chip is faster in PassMark integer math?

A: The AMD EPYC 4464P scores 160410, which is 26.2% higher than the Intel's 127126.

Q: Does the Intel chip have ECC memory support?

A: No, the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX does not support ECC memory. The AMD EPYC 4464P does support ECC.

Architecture Differences

The AMD EPYC 4464P is built on the Zen 4 architecture, codenamed Raphael, and belongs to the EPYC 4004 series. It uses a 5 nm process from TSMC and is packaged with a die size of 2x 71 mm², containing 13,140 million transistors. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX uses the Arrow Lake architecture, specifically Arrow Lake-HX, and is part of the Core Ultra Series 2. It is fabricated on a more advanced 3 nm process from TSMC, with a die size of 243 mm² and 17,800 million transistors.

The core configurations are fundamentally different. The AMD chip has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Intel chip has 20 cores and 20 threads. This means the EPYC relies on simultaneous multithreading to reach its thread count, while the Core Ultra 7 runs one thread per core. The cache hierarchy also differs. The AMD EPYC provides 64 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, plus a 64 MB shared L3 cache. The Intel Core Ultra 7 offers 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, but only 30 MB of shared L3.

Clock speeds are notable as well. The AMD EPYC 4464P has a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has a lower base of 2.40 GHz and a boost of 5.20 GHz. The AMD processor is designed for the AMD Socket AM5, while the Intel chip is soldered to Intel BGA 2114, making it a mobile part. The EPYC uses a dual-channel DDR5 memory bus at 83.2 GB/s, while the Core Ultra 7 also uses dual-channel DDR5 but at a higher 102.4 GB/s. The EPYC supports ECC memory, but the Intel part does not.

Both have integrated graphics, but they differ. The AMD EPYC 4464P includes Radeon Graphics, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX has Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The AMD chip offers more PCIe lanes, with 28 Gen 5 lanes, whereas the Intel provides 20 Gen 5 lanes. The EPYC is a server or workstation part, while the Core Ultra 7 is a mobile chip. Their release dates differ, with the EPYC launching in May 2024 and the Intel in January 2025.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results reveal a clear split between single-thread and multi-thread workloads, but not in a simple way. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX wins 11 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, while the AMD EPYC 4464P takes six. However, the margins tell a more nuanced story.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel chip wins with 4916 points, which is 17.6% higher than the AMD EPYC's 4053. The R20 multicore result is much closer, with the Intel at 17187 versus 16890, a delta of only 1.7% in favor of Intel. The R23 multicore test, however, shows a complete reversal. The AMD EPYC 4464P scores 40215, which is 23.3% higher than the Intel's 32612. This inconsistency across Cinebench versions suggests the EPYC's high boost clock and larger L3 cache matter more in the newer benchmark.

The single-core Cinebench results are extraordinary. In R15 single-core, the AMD EPYC scores 572 versus the Intel's 327, a 74.9% advantage. In R23 single-core, the gap becomes massive: 5677 for AMD versus 2163 for Intel, a 162.5% delta. Yet in R20 single-core, the Intel wins narrowly, 2426 to 2384, a 1.7% margin. These conflicting results indicate that the Intel's single-core performance varies greatly depending on the workload and power state, likely due to its mobile design and lower base clock.

In the PassMark suite, the Intel Core Ultra 7 wins several computational tests. It scores 160624 in floating point math, which is 42% higher than the AMD EPYC's 93090. It also wins in data encryption, 39499 to 35816, a 9.3% edge. The Intel also leads in extended instructions, 41247 to 39359, and in prime number finding, 400 to 343, a 14.2% difference. It also wins the PassMark multithread test, 48234 to 47514, though by only 1.5%.

The AMD EPYC 4464P counters with significant wins in integer math, scoring 160410, which is 26.2% higher than the Intel's 127126. It also wins in data compression, 574304 to 515143, an 11.5% lead, and random string sorting, 70200 to 62591, a 12.2% advantage. The average benchmark scores reflect the overall balance: the AMD EPYC has an average score of 64823, which is 3.3% higher than the Intel's 62738. Both processors sit at the 93rd percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are both very high performers in the database.

The Verdict

The data shows a processor that is a solid choice for specific workloads. The AMD EPYC 4464P is clearly a server and workstation part, as evidenced by its 12 cores, 24 threads, and support for ECC memory. Its strengths lie in integer math, data compression, and random string sorting, which are common in database and server workloads. Its performance in Cinebench R23 single-core is exceptional, with a 162.5% lead over the Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX, making it a good fit for applications that are heavily reliant on single-threaded performance.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is a mobile processor with 20 cores and 20 threads. It excels in floating-point math, where it is 42% ahead of the AMD EPYC. It also performs better in data encryption and the PassMark multithread test. This makes it more suitable for scientific computing and mobile workstations where floating-point workloads are common. Its higher memory bandwidth (102.4 GB/s versus 83.2) also helps in memory-intensive tasks.

Who should pick which? The AMD EPYC 4464P is the option for server and workstation environments that require ECC memory, high thread counts, and robust integer performance. The Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX is the choice for mobile users who need strong floating point and encryption capabilities in a compact package. The Intel has more wins in the head-to-head, but the AMD has larger wins in the tests it dominates. The average benchmark scores are close, with the AMD EPYC at 64823 and the Intel at 62738, a 3.3% difference.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 4464P | Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX |

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

| Cores | 12 | 20 |

| Threads | 24 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.70 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 5.20 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 55 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM5 | Intel BGA 2114 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Arrow Lake |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 3 nm |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | 17,800 million |

| Die Size | 2x 71 mm² | 243 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 192 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1 MB (per core) | 3 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 30 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 102.4 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Graphics | Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $429 | Not available |