AMD EPYC 7261 vs AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7261 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G has 4 cores and 8 threads. The EPYC offers double the core and thread count.

Q: How do the two processors compare in average benchmark scores?

A: The Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G has an average benchmark score of 2774, while the EPYC 7261 scores 2740. The Ryzen sits at the 51st percentile of all CPUs, with the EPYC at the 50th percentile.

Q: What are the closest rivals for the Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G?

A: The nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-5930K (average score 2775, delta 0%), the Intel Xeon D-1567 (2770, delta 0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350GE (2767, delta 0.2%), and the AMD Ryzen 3 5400U (2765, delta 0.3%).

Q: Does the EPYC 7261 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both processors support ECC memory. The EPYC 7261 uses an eight-channel memory bus with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G uses a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, compared to the EPYC 7261's boost clock of 2.90 GHz. The Ryzen also has a higher base clock at 3.80 GHz versus 2.50 GHz.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: Both processors are listed as "Active" in production status. The Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G was released on 2020-07-20, while the EPYC 7261 was released on 2018-06-13.

Architecture Differences

The AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G and AMD EPYC 7261 represent two fundamentally different design philosophies within AMD's lineup. The Ryzen is built on the Zen 2 architecture with the Renoir codename, manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC. The EPYC uses the original Zen architecture with the Naples codename, manufactured on a 14 nm process by GlobalFoundries. This process node difference is significant: the Ryzen packs 9,800 million transistors into a 156 mm² die, while the EPYC contains 4,800 million transistors across a larger 213 mm² die.

Cache configurations diverge sharply between the two. The Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G provides 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 4 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7261 offers 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 32 MB of shared L3 cache. That eightfold difference in L3 capacity reflects the EPYC's server-oriented design, where larger pools of shared cache benefit multi-threaded workloads across many cores.

Memory architecture also separates these parts. The Ryzen supports DDR4 memory through a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, which is standard for desktop platforms. The EPYC, however, features an eight-channel memory bus delivering 170.6 GB/s of bandwidth — a 3.3x advantage in theoretical memory throughput. Both support ECC memory, but the EPYC's memory subsystem is clearly built for enterprise-scale data movement.

The Ryzen integrates a Radeon Vega 6 GPU, making it a complete APU solution for desktop systems. The EPYC has no integrated graphics, as server platforms typically rely on discrete GPUs or headless operation. Socket compatibility differs completely: the Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4, while the EPYC uses AMD Socket SP3. The Ryzen's PCIe implementation is listed as Gen 3 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the EPYC simply lists Gen 3 without lane specifics.

The Ryzen's multiplier is locked, whereas the EPYC 7261 has an unlocked multiplier. Power envelopes are dramatically different: the Ryzen has a 65 W TDP, while the EPYC draws 170 W. The EPYC also targets the Server/Workstation market segment, while the Ryzen is aimed at Desktop use.

The Verdict

The benchmark data presents an unusual situation: the EPYC 7261 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, yet the overall average scores place the Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G slightly ahead. The Ryzen's average benchmark score of 2774 edges out the EPYC's 2740, and the Ryzen holds a 51st percentile ranking versus the EPYC's 50th. This suggests that the Ryzen's single-core-oriented strengths, which are not fully captured in the Cinebench head-to-head tests, contribute to its overall standing among all CPUs.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput in server or workstation environments, the EPYC 7261 is the clear choice. It wins every Cinebench test, from R15 multicore (954 vs 936) to R23 multicore (9476 vs 9287), despite having a much lower clock speed. Its eight-channel memory and 32 MB of L3 cache provide infrastructure that the Ryzen cannot match.

For desktop users who need integrated graphics, lower power consumption, and higher clock speeds, the Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G is the appropriate selection. Its 4.00 GHz boost clock and Radeon Vega 6 GPU make it a self-contained desktop solution. The 65 W TDP means it can operate in systems where the EPYC's 170 W envelope would be impractical.

Neither processor is a dominant winner overall. The EPYC leads in every measured Cinebench test, but only by margins of roughly 2%. Meanwhile, the Ryzen holds a slight edge in average benchmark score across all tests. The decision hinges on platform requirements: SP3 server boards with eight-channel memory versus AM4 desktop boards with integrated graphics.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G | AMD EPYC 7261 |

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

| Series | 4000 series | EPYC 7001 series |

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 8 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.80 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 2.90 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 170 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Zen |

| Codename | Renoir | Naples |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | GlobalFoundries |

| Transistors | 9,800 million | 4,800 million |

| Die Size | 156 mm² | 213 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 4 MB (shared) | 32 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 170.6 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 3 |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon Vega 6 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2020-07-20 | 2018-06-13 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The EPYC 7261 sweeps all six Cinebench comparisons, but the margins are consistently narrow. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the EPYC scores 954 against the Ryzen's 936, a delta of -1.9% from the Ryzen's perspective. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 134 for the EPYC versus 132 for the Ryzen, a -1.5% difference.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the EPYC leads in multicore with 3979 versus 3900, a -2% delta. The single-core R20 result is 561 for the EPYC and 550 for the Ryzen, again a -2% gap. These consistent margins indicate that the EPYC's advantage is not workload-specific but rather a general performance edge across rendering tasks.

Cinebench R23 follows the same trend. The EPYC scores 9476 in multicore versus the Ryzen's 9287, a -2% difference. In single-core R23, the EPYC posts 1337 against 1311, a -1.9% margin. Notably, the EPYC achieves these wins despite having a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 2.90 GHz — substantially lower than the Ryzen's 3.80/4.00 GHz clocks. This means the EPYC's advantage comes from its additional cores, larger cache, and memory bandwidth, not from raw clock speed.

The Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G does not win any of the six head-to-head tests, yet its average benchmark score of 2774 surpasses the EPYC's 2740. This discrepancy arises because the Ryzen also has Geekbench scores in its benchmark set (multicore 4608, singlecore 1470), which are not part of the head-to-head comparison. These additional data points pull the Ryzen's average higher.

Where Each One Wins

The EPYC 7261 wins in every measured Cinebench test, making it the stronger choice for multi-threaded rendering workloads. Its 8-core/16-thread configuration, combined with 32 MB of L3 cache and an eight-channel memory bus, provides a platform designed for sustained throughput. The EPYC's 170.6 GB/s memory bandwidth is more than three times the Ryzen's 51.2 GB/s, which matters in memory-intensive server applications. The unlocked multiplier also gives system integrators flexibility for tuning, though the 170 W TDP requires appropriate cooling and power delivery.

The Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G wins in the overall average benchmark score category, thanks to its Geekbench results. Its 4-core/8-thread design with higher clock speeds (3.80 GHz base, 4.00 GHz boost) makes it suitable for desktop workloads where single-thread responsiveness is important. The integrated Radeon Vega 6 GPU eliminates the need for a discrete graphics card, simplifying system builds. The 65 W TDP allows for compact cooling solutions and lower system power requirements.

For server and workstation deployments where ECC memory, massive bandwidth, and many-core parallelism are essential, the EPYC 7261 is the clear pick. For desktop users who want a complete APU solution with integrated graphics and modest power consumption, the Ryzen 3 PRO 4350G serves that role. The data does not support declaring a universal winner — the two processors target different platforms and use cases, and each excels in its respective domain.