AMD EPYC 7252 vs Intel Core i5-1350P Comparison

The Intel Core i5-1350P and the AMD EPYC 7252 are positioned at opposite ends of the computing spectrum, yet their benchmark averages are nearly indistinguishable. The data shows a 0.1% difference in average benchmark scores, with the Intel part scoring 4776 and the AMD part scoring 4772. This near-parity in aggregate performance masks fundamental architectural and market differences, making the choice between them a matter of platform fit rather than raw speed.

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark results are remarkably one-sided in terms of raw numbers, with the Intel Core i5-1350P winning all six recorded tests. However, the margins are extraordinarily thin. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel chip scores 1664 against the EPYC's 1662, a 0.1% advantage. The single-core R15 test is a dead heat at 234 points each, with the Intel part declared the winner on a 0% delta. This pattern repeats across every iteration: R20 multicore shows 6935 versus 6929, R20 single-core shows 979 versus 978, R23 multicore shows 16514 versus 16499, and R23 single-core shows 2331 versus 2329. Each of these represents a 0.1% edge for Intel.

These margins are within run-to-run noise for most workloads, so "winning" here needs qualification. The Intel i5-1350P wins on absolute scores, but the practical significance is negligible. Where the EPYC 7252 genuinely wins is in platform capabilities that benchmarks do not capture. It features eight-channel memory support with 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, while the Intel part is limited to dual-channel memory. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for data integrity in server environments, whereas the Intel mobile chip does not. For sustained server workloads, the EPYC's 120W TDP and server-grade platform are the real differentiators, even if the Cinebench numbers do not show it.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two processors is substantial. The Intel Core i5-1350P is built on Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-P mobile variant, using a 10 nm process at Intel's foundry. It packs 12 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 1900 MHz and a boost clock of 4700 MHz. Its cache hierarchy consists of 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration, provides 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, and includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics with 80 execution units. Its TDP is a mobile-friendly 28W, and it uses the Intel BGA 1744 socket.

The AMD EPYC 7252 belongs to the EPYC 7002 series, built on Zen 2 architecture with the Rome codename. It uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, with 7,600 million transistors across two 74 mm² dies. It has 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3100 MHz and a boost clock of only 3200 MHz. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core, L2 is 512 KB per core, and L3 is 32 MB per die for a total of 64 MB. Memory support is DDR4 only, but through an eight-channel memory bus delivering 85.3 GB/s. ECC memory is supported. The EPYC provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and has no integrated graphics. Its TDP is 120W, and it uses the AMD Socket SP3. The EPYC was released in August 2019, while the i5-1350P came in January 2023.

The core count disparity is notable: Intel has 12 cores versus AMD's 8, but both offer 16 threads. The Intel chip's boost clock of 4.7 GHz versus AMD's 3.2 GHz explains why single-core scores are essentially tied despite the clock advantage — the EPYC's Zen 2 architecture is more efficient per clock. The Intel part compensates for its lower base clock of 1.9 GHz with a much higher boost ceiling, suggesting aggressive turbo behavior in short bursts, while the EPYC maintains a steadier 3.1 GHz base.

The Verdict

The data indicates two different buyers. The Intel Core i5-1350P is a mobile processor with a 28W TDP, designed for laptops and compact systems where power efficiency and integrated graphics matter. Its 12 cores and high boost clock make it suitable for bursty, single-thread-heavy tasks that benefit from reaching 4.7 GHz. It has no ECC support and only dual-channel memory, so it is not aimed at data-critical server roles.

The AMD EPYC 7252 is a server/workstation processor with a 120W TDP, eight-channel memory, ECC support, and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. Its 8 cores and 64 MB of L3 cache are oriented toward multi-threaded server workloads that demand memory bandwidth and reliability. The benchmark parity — a 0.1% average score difference — means that neither chip has a meaningful performance advantage in Cinebench. The decision hinges entirely on platform requirements: if you need a mobile chip with integrated graphics and low power, choose the Intel i5-1350P. If you need a server chip with ECC, massive memory bandwidth, and extensive PCIe lanes, choose the EPYC 7252.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i5-1350P has an average benchmark score of 4776, while the AMD EPYC 7252 scores 4772, a difference of 0.1%.

Q: Do the two processors have the same number of threads?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i5-1350P and the AMD EPYC 7252 have 16 threads, though the Intel chip has 12 cores and the AMD chip has 8 cores.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD EPYC 7252 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i5-1350P does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD EPYC 7252 has eight-channel memory delivering 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, whereas the Intel Core i5-1350P uses dual-channel memory with no bandwidth figure listed.

Q: Which chip has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD EPYC 7252 has 64 MB of total L3 cache (32 MB per die), compared to the Intel Core i5-1350P's 12 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the Intel Core i5-1350P scores 2331 versus the EPYC's 2329, a 0.1% difference. In R15 single-core, both score exactly 234.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most striking result is the near-total parity across every benchmark. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel Core i5-1350P scores 1664 against the EPYC 7252's 1662, a 0.1% margin. The R15 single-core test is a perfect tie at 234 points each, with the Intel part credited with the win on a 0% delta. Moving to R20, the multicore result is 6935 for Intel and 6929 for AMD, again 0.1% apart. The R20 single-core score is 979 versus 978, another 0.1% edge for Intel. The R23 multicore test shows 16514 for Intel and 16499 for AMD, a 0.1% difference. Finally, R23 single-core is 2331 versus 2329, the same 0.1% margin.

These results tell a clear story: the two processors are functionally equivalent in Cinebench workloads. The Intel chip's higher core count (12 versus 8) and much higher boost clock (4.7 GHz versus 3.2 GHz) should theoretically give it an advantage, but the EPYC's Zen 2 architecture and larger 64 MB L3 cache compensate. The biggest single-core gap is 2 points in R23 (2331 versus 2329), which is negligible. The biggest multicore gap is 15 points in R23 (16514 versus 16499), also negligible. Neither chip demonstrates a meaningful performance lead in these tests; the average benchmark scores of 4776 and 4772 confirm that the overall performance profile is essentially identical. The EPYC 7252's nearest rival list includes the Intel Core i5-1350P with a deltaPct of -0.1%, while the i5-1350P's list includes the EPYC 7252 with a deltaPct of 0.1%, reinforcing the symmetrical relationship.

Specification Differences

The specifications differ in nearly every category except threads and production status. The Intel Core i5-1350P has 12 cores and a base clock of 1900 MHz, boosting to 4700 MHz. The AMD EPYC 7252 has 8 cores with a base clock of 3100 MHz and a boost of 3200 MHz. The Intel chip's TDP is 28W; the EPYC's is 120W. The socket is Intel BGA 1744 versus AMD Socket SP3. The process node is 10 nm for Intel versus 7 nm for AMD, with the EPYC manufactured by TSMC and the Intel chip by Intel. The EPYC has 7,600 million transistors across two 74 mm² dies; the Intel chip lists no transistor or die size data. Cache differs significantly: the Intel part has 80 KB L1 and 2 MB L2 per core with 12 MB shared L3, while the EPYC has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 32 MB L3 per die for a total of 64 MB. Memory support is DDR4/DDR5 dual-channel for Intel versus DDR4 eight-channel for AMD, with the EPYC listing 85.3 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The Intel chip has 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes; the EPYC has 128. The Intel part includes Iris Xe Graphics 80EU; the EPYC has no integrated graphics. The market segments are Mobile for Intel and Server/Workstation for AMD. The release dates are January 2023 for Intel and August 2019 for AMD, with launch MSRPs of $320 and $475 respectively. The Intel part is unlocked? No, both have multiplierUnlocked set to false.