AMD EPYC 7252 vs Intel Core i9-10900 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900 has 10 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7252 has 8 cores and 16 threads. The Intel chip offers two additional physical cores and four additional threads.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 7252 leads in every recorded single-core Cinebench test. It scores 234 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 230 for the Intel, 978 in R20 versus 961, and 2329 in R23 versus 2289. The margins are consistent at roughly 1.7% to 1.8% in favor of the EPYC.

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-10900 has a boost clock of 5.20 GHz, significantly higher than the EPYC 7252's 3.20 GHz. However, the AMD chip has a higher base clock at 3.10 GHz compared to Intel's 2.80 GHz.

Q: What are the memory channel configurations?

A: The AMD EPYC 7252 supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s. The Intel Core i9-10900 uses dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 46.9 GB/s. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, while the Intel chip does not.

Q: Which processor supports more PCIe lanes?

A: The AMD EPYC 7252 provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only), while the Intel Core i9-10900 offers 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). This is a substantial difference for expansion and I/O capability.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The AMD EPYC 7252 is listed as Active, meaning it is still in production. The Intel Core i9-10900 is listed as End-of-life, indicating it is no longer manufactured.

The Verdict

The data presents a clear but narrow picture. Across all six recorded head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks, the AMD EPYC 7252 wins every single test. The margins are small, between 1.7% and 1.8%, but they are consistent across both single-core and multi-core workloads. The EPYC 7252 also holds a higher average benchmark score of 4772 compared to the Intel's 4614, and it sits at the 59th percentile versus the Intel's 58th.

For multi-threaded rendering tasks, the EPYC 7252's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 16499 edges out the Intel's 16219 by 1.7%. For single-threaded work, the EPYC leads in R23 single-core with 2329 versus 2289. The AMD chip is the better performer in every measured CPU benchmark, despite having fewer cores.

However, the choice is not simply about benchmark scores. The Intel Core i9-10900 is a desktop processor with 10 cores, a 5.20 GHz boost clock, and integrated UHD Graphics 630. It targets a completely different platform. The EPYC 7252 is a server and workstation processor with eight-channel memory, 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, ECC support, and a 120 W TDP on AMD Socket SP3.

Users building a desktop system with a mainstream LGA 1200 motherboard should pick the Intel Core i9-10900. Users assembling a server or workstation platform with SP3 motherboards and needing massive memory bandwidth, ECC, and PCIe expansion should pick the AMD EPYC 7252. The benchmark data favors the EPYC 7252 in raw CPU performance, but platform requirements will often dictate the choice.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded head-to-head data covers six Cinebench tests, and the AMD EPYC 7252 wins all six. The largest margin is in Cinebench R20 single-core, where the EPYC scores 978 against the Intel's 961, a 1.8% advantage. Every other test shows a 1.7% lead for the EPYC.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7252 scores 1662 versus the Intel's 1634. In R15 single-core, it is 234 versus 230. In R20 multi-core, 6929 versus 6811. In R23 multi-core, 16499 versus 16219. In R23 single-core, 2329 versus 2289.

The Intel Core i9-10900 has no recorded wins in the head-to-head benchmarks. Its strongest showing is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where it comes within 280 points of the EPYC, but it still loses by 1.7%. The pattern is remarkably consistent, with the EPYC maintaining nearly the same percentage advantage across all tests regardless of thread count.

The Intel chip does have additional benchmark scores in the database that the EPYC does not share, including 3DMark tests and Geekbench results. In 3DMark, the Intel scores 815 in single-thread, 1598 in 2-thread, 3052 in 4-thread, 5276 in 8-thread, 7391 in 16-thread, and 8083 in max-thread tests. In Geekbench, it scores 1651 single-core and 8585 multi-core. These results are not part of the direct head-to-head comparison but indicate the Intel chip's capability in those specific workloads.

The average benchmark score comparison reinforces the EPYC's edge. The EPYC 7252 has an average score of 4772, while the Intel Core i9-10900 averages 4614. The nearest rivals for the EPYC include the Intel Xeon W-1290E at 4775 (0.1% higher), the Intel Core i5-1350P at 4776 (0.1% higher), the Intel Xeon E-2386G at 4799 (0.6% higher), and the Intel Core i9-9900KS at 4738 (0.7% lower). For the Intel Core i9-10900, the nearest rivals include the Intel Core i9-9900KF at 4652 (0.8% higher), the Intel Xeon W-2145 at 4576 (0.8% lower), the Intel Core i9-10900F at 4664 (1.1% higher), and the Intel Xeon E-2356G at 4548 (1.5% lower).

Specification Differences

The two processors differ substantially in almost every specification category. The AMD EPYC 7252 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i9-10900 has 10 cores and 20 threads. The EPYC's base clock is 3.10 GHz and boost clock is 3.20 GHz. The Intel's base clock is 2.80 GHz and boost clock is 5.20 GHz.

The TDP ratings are notably different. The EPYC 7252 is rated at 120 W, while the Intel Core i9-10900 is rated at 65 W. The sockets are incompatible: the EPYC uses AMD Socket SP3, and the Intel uses Intel Socket 1200.

Memory support differs significantly. The EPYC 7252 supports DDR4 with an eight-channel memory bus and 85.3 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel supports DDR4 with a dual-channel bus and 46.9 GB/s bandwidth. ECC memory is supported on the EPYC but not on the Intel.

PCIe capabilities are dramatically different. The EPYC 7252 provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only). The Intel provides 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only). The Intel includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, while the EPYC has no integrated graphics.

The market segments differ: the EPYC is classified as Server/Workstation, and the Intel is Desktop. The EPYC is Active in production, while the Intel is End-of-life. The EPYC was released on 2019-08-06, and the Intel on 2020-04-29. The launch MSRP for the EPYC is $475, and for the Intel it is $483. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

Architecture Differences

The AMD EPYC 7252 is built on the Zen 2 architecture with the codename Rome, part of the EPYC 7002 series. It uses a 7 nm process node fabricated by TSMC and contains 7,600 million transistors across a die size of 2x 74 mm². The Intel Core i9-10900 uses the Comet Lake architecture, part of the Core 10th Gen series, built on a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel.

The cache hierarchies differ. The EPYC 7252 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, 32 MB of L3 cache per die, and 64 MB of total L3 cache. The Intel Core i9-10900 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache.

The EPYC's Zen 2 architecture is a chiplet design using TSMC's 7 nm process, which contributes to its higher transistor count of 7,600 million. The Intel Comet Lake architecture is a monolithic design on Intel's 14 nm process. The EPYC's total L3 cache of 64 MB is more than three times the Intel's 20 MB shared L3 cache.

The EPYC 7252 is designed for server and workstation platforms with its eight-channel memory controller, 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, and ECC support. The Intel Core i9-10900 targets desktop platforms with dual-channel memory, 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, integrated graphics, and a much higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7252 wins in every recorded head-to-head CPU benchmark. It leads in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both single-core and multi-core, with margins between 1.7% and 1.8%. For users running rendering workloads, the EPYC's R23 multi-core score of 16499 beats the Intel's 16219. For single-threaded tasks, the EPYC's R23 single-core score of 2329 beats the Intel's 2289.

The EPYC 7252 also wins on platform capabilities. It offers eight-channel memory with 85.3 GB/s bandwidth, 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, and ECC memory support. These features matter for server and workstation workloads involving large datasets, many storage devices, or multiple GPUs. The EPYC's Active production status means it remains available for new builds.

The Intel Core i9-10900 wins on core count with 10 cores and 20 threads versus the EPYC's 8 cores and 16 threads. It has a significantly higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, and a lower TDP of 65 W versus 120 W. The Intel chip includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, which eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic desktop configurations. It also uses the common Intel Socket 1200 platform with dual-channel DDR4 memory.

For gaming and general desktop use, the Intel Core i9-10900 is the practical choice. Its higher boost clock, integrated graphics, and 10-core configuration suit consumer workloads. The EPYC 7252 is the choice for servers and workstations where ECC memory, eight-channel bandwidth, and PCIe Gen 4 expansion are priorities. The benchmark data shows the EPYC leading in CPU performance, but the platform differences will determine which processor is appropriate for a given build.

The Intel chip's additional benchmark scores in 3DMark and Geekbench show it handles those workloads, but the head-to-head data only covers Cinebench tests. Within that shared test suite, the AMD EPYC 7252 is the consistent winner.