AMD EPYC 4545P vs Intel Core Ultra 9 285 Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 and AMD EPYC 4545P are positioned nearly identically in the aggregate benchmark hierarchy, with average scores of 75488 and 75373 respectively. The Intel part holds a razor-thin 0.2% lead over the AMD EPYC in average benchmark score, and both processors sit at the 95th percentile of all CPUs. Despite this statistical tie, the head-to-head data reveals a clear division of labor: Intel dominates in single-threaded and floating-point workloads, while AMD counters decisively in integer-heavy tasks and data compression.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is in PassMark’s find prime numbers test, where the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 scores 459 against the EPYC 4545P’s 292, a 57.2% advantage. This is the largest delta in either direction. Floating-point math tells a similar story: Intel’s 194988 score beats AMD’s 126505, a 54.1% lead. These two tests indicate a substantial architectural edge for Intel in workloads that rely on heavy mathematical computation per core.

Intel also sweeps the entire Cinebench suite, though by a consistent and narrow 4%. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Ultra 9 285 scores 48945 versus 47079 for the EPYC 4545P. The single-core R23 result is 6909 against 6646, also a 4% margin. This pattern repeats across R15, R20, and R23 in both single and multi-threaded variants, with deltas of 4% or 3.9%. The consistency suggests a fundamental clock-for-clock or IPC advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

The single-thread PassMark result reinforces this: Intel scores 4881, which is 13% higher than AMD’s 4318. Physics simulation also favors Intel, with a 3598 score versus 3260, a 10.4% win. Multithreaded PassMark shows Intel ahead by 5.8% (56602 vs 53504), and data encryption is a decisive 24.9% win for Intel (46949 vs 37598).

The AMD EPYC 4545P claims four wins, and its largest is in integer math. The EPYC scores 213485 against Intel’s 164869, a 22.8% advantage. This is a massive reversal of the floating-point result and points to a different execution strength in the Zen 5 cores. Data compression also goes to AMD: 636279 versus 602121, a 5.4% lead. Extended instructions favor AMD by 1.9% (46231 vs 45357), and random string sorting is nearly a tie, with AMD ahead by just 0.3% (73850 vs 73651).

The aggregate picture is one of balance: Intel wins 13 of the 17 head-to-head comparisons, but AMD’s wins are concentrated in areas that matter for server workloads. The average scores are nearly identical, meaning the 0.2% delta between the two processors is statistically negligible.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental split is in core counts and threading. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 packs 24 cores and 24 threads, while the AMD EPYC 4545P has 16 cores but 32 threads. Intel relies on raw core count without simultaneous multithreading; AMD uses half the cores with two threads per core. The result is that AMD’s thread count is 33% higher, yet Intel still wins most multithreaded benchmarks.

The process nodes differ: Intel uses a 3 nm process from TSMC, while AMD uses TSMC’s 4 nm node. The Intel die is 243 mm² with 17,800 million transistors; AMD’s EPYC 4545P is composed of two chiplets at 70.6 mm² each, totaling 141.2 mm², with 16,630 million transistors. The monolithic Intel design versus the dual-chiplet AMD design is a notable structural difference.

Cache configurations are starkly different. Intel allocates 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2 per core, with 36 MB of shared L3. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 and 1 MB of L2 per core, but a much larger 64 MB of L3. The larger L3 on the EPYC likely contributes to its data compression and integer math wins, while Intel’s larger per-core L1 and L2 support its single-threaded dominance.

Clock speeds are close: Intel’s base clock is 2.50 GHz with a 5.60 GHz boost, while AMD runs at 3.00 GHz base and 5.40 GHz boost. The Intel boost clock is 0.20 GHz higher, which aligns with its single-thread wins. Both have a 65 TDP, making power envelopes identical.

Memory bandwidth differs: Intel supports 102.4 GB/s, while AMD is limited to 89.6 GB/s. Both use DDR5 in dual-channel configuration, and both support ECC memory. PCIe lanes favor AMD with 24 Gen 5 lanes versus Intel’s 20. Integrated graphics are present on both: Intel’s Arc Xe-LPG Graphics with 64 execution units versus AMD’s Radeon Graphics.

The Intel part is built on the Arrow Lake architecture (Arrow Lake-S codename) as part of the Core Ultra Series 2. The AMD EPYC 4545P uses Zen 5 architecture with the codename Grado, part of the EPYC 4005 series. Intel’s socket is Socket 1851; AMD uses Socket AM5. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data shows two processors that are near-perfect equals in aggregate performance, separated by only 0.2% in average benchmark score. The choice comes down to workload profile. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 is the pick for single-threaded performance, floating-point math, encryption, and physics simulations. Its 13% single-thread PassMark lead and 54.1% floating-point margin are decisive.

The AMD EPYC 4545P is the pick for integer math and data compression. The 22.8% integer math advantage is the largest single win for either side, and the 5.4% compression lead matters for database and server workloads. The EPYC also offers more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) and a larger L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).

For a desktop user running general applications, the Intel part’s consistent Cinebench wins and higher boost clock make it the safer recommendation. For a server or workstation environment with integer-heavy loads, the AMD EPYC’s strengths are more relevant. The Intel launch MSRP is $579, while the AMD launch MSRP is $549. Both sit at the 95th percentile of all CPUs, so neither is a weak choice in absolute terms.

Specification Differences

• Cores/Threads: Intel has 24 cores and 24 threads; AMD has 16 cores and 32 threads.
• Base Clock: Intel is 2.50 GHz; AMD is 3.00 GHz.
• Boost Clock: Intel is 5.60 GHz; AMD is 5.40 GHz.
• Process Node: Intel uses 3 nm; AMD uses 4 nm.
• Transistors: Intel has 17,800 million; AMD has 16,630 million.
• Die Size: Intel is 243 mm²; AMD is 2x 70.6 mm².
• L1 Cache: Intel is 192 KB per core; AMD is 80 KB per core.
• L2 Cache: Intel is 3 MB per core; AMD is 1 MB per core.
• L3 Cache: Intel is 36 MB shared; AMD is 64 MB.
• Memory Bandwidth: Intel is 102.4 GB/s; AMD is 89.6 GB/s.
• PCIe Lanes: Intel has 20 Gen 5 lanes; AMD has 24 Gen 5 lanes.
• Integrated Graphics: Intel has Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU; AMD has Radeon Graphics.
• Socket: Intel uses Socket 1851; AMD uses Socket AM5.
• Market Segment: Intel is Desktop; AMD is Server/Workstation.
• Release Date: Intel is 2024-12-31; AMD is 2025-05-12.
• Part Number: Intel is SRQD4; AMD is 100-000001764.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has an average score of 75488, while the AMD EPYC 4545P scores 75373. Intel leads by 0.2%.

Q: What is the largest benchmark margin between the two?

A: The largest margin is in PassMark’s find prime numbers test, where Intel scores 459 versus AMD’s 292, a 57.2% difference.

Q: How do the core and thread counts compare?

A: Intel has 24 cores and 24 threads, while AMD has 16 cores and 32 threads. AMD has more threads despite fewer cores.

Q: Which processor has more L3 cache?

A: The AMD EPYC 4545P has 64 MB of L3 cache, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 has 36 MB.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core Ultra 9 285 and the AMD EPYC 4545P support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor wins in data encryption benchmarks?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 scores 46949 in PassMark data encryption, beating the AMD EPYC 4545P’s 37598 by 24.9%.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core Ultra 9 285 wins in all Cinebench tests (R15, R20, R23; single and multi-core), PassMark single-thread, multithread, physics, data encryption, find prime numbers, and floating-point math. The 54.1% floating-point lead and 57.2% prime number lead are the strongest cases for Intel in scientific and simulation workloads.

The AMD EPYC 4545P wins in PassMark integer math, data compression, extended instructions, and random string sorting. The 22.8% integer math advantage is the standout, making the EPYC the choice for database operations, compression algorithms, and integer-heavy server tasks. The EPYC also has more PCIe lanes (24 vs 20) and a larger L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB), which supports its server positioning.

For a desktop user prioritizing single-thread responsiveness and general productivity, Intel’s 13% single-thread lead and 4% Cinebench margins are compelling. For a server administrator running compression or integer workloads, AMD’s wins are more relevant. The 0.2% aggregate score difference means the decision should be made on the specific benchmark profile of the intended use case, not on overall performance.