AMD EPYC 4565P vs Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus Comparison

The AMD EPYC 4565P and Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus represent two distinct approaches to high-end computing, one aimed at the server and workstation segment and the other at the desktop enthusiast market. Benchmark data from the database shows a clear split in their strengths, with the AMD part dominating multi-threaded and integer-heavy workloads while the Intel part counters in floating-point, encryption, and specific single-thread tasks. Both processors achieve the 96th percentile among all CPUs, but their average benchmark scores diverge significantly, with the EPYC 4565P posting an average score of 95,764 against the Intel's 84,003, a gap that reflects their different design philosophies.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 4565P is the clear winner in rendering and general multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, it wins by a consistent 5.2% margin each time. Its PassMark multithread score of 63,474 beats the Intel's 60,860, a 4.3% advantage. The most dramatic win for AMD comes in integer math, where its score of 250,683 is 50.8% higher than Intel's 166,194. Data compression also heavily favors AMD, with a score of 860,786 versus 698,346, a 23.3% lead. Extended instructions follow the same pattern, with AMD ahead by 22.9% (64,345 versus 52,338). The AMD part also takes the win in random string sorting by a slim 2% margin (81,318 versus 79,744).

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus wins the floating-point math test decisively, scoring 214,760 against AMD's 152,003, a 29.2% advantage. It also leads in data encryption, scoring 52,563 versus 48,268, an 8.2% edge. In the find prime numbers test, Intel is far ahead with a score of 503 versus 294, a 41.6% lead. The Intel part also wins the physics test (3,315 versus 2,976, a 10.2% edge) and edges out AMD in single-thread performance, scoring 4,823 against 4,712, a 2.2% difference. Across all 17 head-to-head tests, AMD wins 11 and Intel wins 6, but the magnitude of AMD's wins in integer math and compression makes its overall average score substantially higher.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different process nodes from the same foundry. AMD uses TSMC's 4 nm process for the EPYC 4565P, which belongs to the EPYC 4005 series under the Zen 5 architecture and the codename Grado. Intel's Core Ultra 9 290K Plus uses TSMC's 3 nm process, part of Core Ultra Series 2 under the codename Arrow Lake Refresh. The Intel die is larger at 243 mm², while AMD uses a 2x 70.6 mm² chiplet design with 16,630 million transistors; Intel packs 17,800 million transistors into its monolithic die.

Core configurations differ substantially. The AMD EPYC 4565P has 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base clock of 4.30 GHz and a boost clock of 5.70 GHz. The Intel has 24 cores but only 24 threads, meaning no simultaneous multithreading, with a base clock of 3.70 GHz and a boost of 5.80 GHz. Cache hierarchies also diverge. AMD allocates 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 1 MB of L2 per core, with a large 64 MB shared L3 cache. Intel gives each core 192 KB of L1 and 3 MB of L2, but its shared L3 is smaller at 36 MB. The total L3 advantage for AMD is substantial and likely contributes to its data-heavy workload wins.

Memory support is DDR5 for both, and both run dual-channel memory buses. However, Intel's memory bandwidth is rated at 115.2 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s, a notable gap that may explain Intel's strong floating-point results. Both support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity differs, with AMD offering Gen 5 with 24 lanes (CPU only) while Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The AMD part includes Radeon Graphics integrated, while Intel includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The AMD EPYC is a server and workstation part with a launch MSRP of $589, while the Intel is a desktop part with no recorded launch MSRP. The Intel multiplier is unlocked, while the AMD is locked. The AMD part was released on 2025-05-12, while the Intel has no recorded release date.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear choice based on workload type. For users running multi-threaded rendering, integer-heavy calculations, data compression, or extended instruction sets, the AMD EPYC 4565P is the stronger part. Its 50.8% lead in integer math and 23.3% lead in data compression are decisive, and its consistent 5.2% advantage across all Cinebench tests indicates a well-rounded multi-threaded performer. The 16-core, 32-thread configuration with 64 MB of L3 cache clearly serves these tasks well.

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus is the better option for workloads that rely on floating-point math, encryption, prime number calculations, and physics simulations. Its 29.2% lead in floating-point math and 41.6% lead in prime numbers are equally decisive. The higher memory bandwidth of 115.2 GB/s likely plays a role in these wins. The Intel also has a slight edge in single-thread performance, making it suitable for lightly threaded applications that benefit from high clock speeds.

The overall average benchmark score favors the AMD part, 95,764 versus 84,003, and its nearest rivals are other AMD EPYC and Ryzen processors, while the Intel sits among a different set of competitors. For a server or workstation environment where throughput across many parallel tasks is paramount, the EPYC 4565P is the data-backed choice. For a desktop user prioritizing floating-point and encryption performance, the Core Ultra 9 290K Plus wins on those specific metrics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus has 24 cores but only 24 threads. The AMD EPYC 4565P has 16 cores and 32 threads, meaning AMD offers more threads despite fewer cores.

Q: How do the two compare in Cinebench R23?

A: In Cinebench R23 multicore, the AMD EPYC 4565P scores 54,405 versus Intel's 51,731, a 5.2% lead. In single-core, AMD scores 7,680 versus 7,303, also a 5.2% lead.

Q: Which processor is better for encryption workloads?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus wins the PassMark data encryption test with a score of 52,563, which is 8.2% higher than the AMD EPYC 4565P's score of 48,268.

Q: What is the biggest performance gap between the two?

A: The largest gap is in PassMark integer math, where the AMD EPYC 4565P scores 250,683 versus Intel's 166,194, a 50.8% advantage for AMD.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD EPYC 4565P and the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus support ECC memory, and both run DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus has a boost clock of 5.80 GHz, while the AMD EPYC 4565P boosts to 5.70 GHz, a difference of 0.10 GHz.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench series shows a uniform result: the AMD EPYC 4565P wins every test by exactly 5.2%. In Cinebench R15 multicore, AMD scores 5,484 versus 5,214. In R20 multicore, the scores are 22,850 versus 21,727. In R23 multicore, AMD records 54,405 against Intel's 51,731. Single-core results follow the same pattern, with AMD leading R15 at 774 versus 736, R20 at 3,225 versus 3,067, and R23 at 7,680 versus 7,303. This consistency suggests a fundamental per-clock advantage for the AMD architecture in these rendering workloads.

PassMark results are more varied. The AMD EPYC 4565P wins data compression with 860,786 against 698,346, a 23.3% margin, and extended instructions with 64,345 versus 52,338, a 22.9% margin. Its integer math score of 250,683 dwarfs the Intel's 166,194, a 50.8% lead that stands as the largest delta in the entire comparison. The AMD part also takes multithread (63,474 versus 60,860, 4.3%) and random string sorting (81,318 versus 79,744, 2%).

The Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus posts its biggest win in find prime numbers, scoring 503 against AMD's 294, a 41.6% advantage. Floating-point math is also a clear Intel win, 214,760 versus 152,003, a 29.2% margin. Data encryption favors Intel by 8.2% (52,563 versus 48,268), and physics shows a 10.2% Intel lead (3,315 versus 2,976). Single-thread performance is narrowly Intel's, 4,823 versus 4,712, a 2.3% edge. The pattern is clear: AMD owns integer and compression tasks, Intel owns floating-point and encryption.

Specification Differences

The most fundamental difference is the core and thread configuration. The AMD EPYC 4565P offers 16 cores with 32 threads, while the Intel Core Ultra 9 290K Plus offers 24 cores with 24 threads. Clock speeds differ, with AMD at a 4.30 GHz base and 5.70 GHz boost, while Intel runs a 3.70 GHz base and a 5.80 GHz boost. Thermal design power differs notably, with the AMD part rated at 170 and the Intel at 125.

Cache layouts are distinct. AMD provides 80 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. Intel provides 192 KB of L1 per core, 3 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. Memory bandwidth is higher for Intel at 115.2 GB/s versus AMD's 89.6 GB/s. PCIe lanes also differ, with AMD offering 24 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only) and Intel offering 20 Gen 5 lanes (CPU only).

Process node and die size separate the two as well. AMD uses a 4 nm process with a 2x 70.6 mm² die and 16,630 million transistors, while Intel uses a 3 nm process with a 243 mm² die and 17,800 million transistors. The sockets are incompatible, with AMD on Socket AM5 and Intel on Socket 1851. The AMD part includes Radeon Graphics, while Intel includes Arc Xe-LPG Graphics 64EU. The AMD EPYC 4565P has a launch MSRP of $589, while the Intel has no recorded launch MSRP. The AMD part is locked, while the Intel multiplier is unlocked. The AMD is in the server and workstation market segment, and the Intel is in the desktop segment.