AMD EPYC 7261 vs Intel Core i7-8700T Comparison

The Verdict

The benchmark data paints a remarkably consistent picture. The AMD EPYC 7261 wins every head-to-head Cinebench test against the Intel Core i7-8700T, with each victory coming at the exact same 8.9% margin. The EPYC 7261's average benchmark score of 2740 sits above the i7-8700T's 2701, and the EPYC's nearest rival, the Intel Xeon E-2176M, is essentially tied at 2751 with a -0.4% delta. The i7-8700T's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-1185G7E, also sits at 2703 with a -0.1% delta, meaning both processors occupy the same performance tier relative to their immediate competition.

The verdict from the data is straightforward: the EPYC 7261 is the stronger processor in every measured Cinebench workload. Its 8-core, 16-thread configuration with a 32 MB shared L3 cache consistently outperforms the i7-8700T's 6-core, 12-thread design with a 12 MB shared L3 cache. The i7-8700T does have a higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz compared to 2.90 GHz on the EPYC, yet the EPYC still wins single-core tests, which indicates the Zen architecture's efficiency per clock in these specific benchmarks outweighs the raw clock advantage.

However, the verdict must also account for context beyond raw scores. The i7-8700T is a desktop part with a 35 W TDP, integrated UHD Graphics 630, and dual-channel memory support, while the EPYC 7261 is a server/workstation processor with a 170 W TDP, eight-channel memory, ECC support, and no integrated graphics. The data shows the EPYC wins every benchmark, but the i7-8700T remains the only option for systems requiring integrated graphics or low power envelopes. Users building a compact desktop or an all-in-one system should consider the i7-8700T despite its benchmark losses; users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput should select the EPYC 7261.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD EPYC 7261 belongs to the EPYC 7001 series, built on the Zen architecture with the Naples codename, manufactured on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries. It packs 4,800 million transistors into a 213 mm² die and uses the AMD Socket SP3. The Intel Core i7-8700T uses the Coffee Lake architecture, also on a 14 nm process but fabricated by Intel, with a smaller 154 mm² die and no transistor count recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The EPYC 7261 provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a 32 MB shared L3 cache. The i7-8700T offers 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The EPYC's larger caches across all levels contribute to its benchmark dominance, particularly in multi-threaded workloads where the shared L3 pool benefits all 16 threads.

Memory architecture separates the two even further. The EPYC 7261 supports DDR4 memory across an eight-channel bus, delivering a memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s, and includes ECC memory support. The i7-8700T also supports DDR4 but through a dual-channel bus, achieving only 42.7 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and it lacks ECC support. The EPYC's memory bandwidth advantage is roughly fourfold, which directly impacts multi-core performance in memory-sensitive workloads.

The i7-8700T includes integrated UHD Graphics 630, which the EPYC 7261 lacks entirely. The EPYC's market segment is Server/Workstation, while the i7-8700T targets Desktop. The EPYC's production status remains Active, while the i7-8700T is End-of-life. The EPYC also has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the i7-8700T does not. Both use PCIe Gen 3, but the i7-8700T specifies 16 lanes from the CPU only, while the EPYC's lane configuration is not detailed in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The EPYC 7261 wins every recorded Cinebench benchmark, from R15 through R23, in both single-core and multi-core variants. Its wins span six tests with a uniform 8.9% delta over the i7-8700T. This consistency indicates the EPYC's advantage is architectural rather than workload-specific: the larger cache, higher core count, and wider memory bus benefit all measured scenarios.

Single-core results deserve particular attention. The i7-8700T boosts to 4.00 GHz, a full 1.10 GHz higher than the EPYC's 2.90 GHz boost, yet the EPYC still wins single-core Cinebench R15 by 134 to 123, R20 by 561 to 515, and R23 by 1337 to 1228. The data suggests the Zen architecture's per-clock efficiency in Cinebench exceeds Coffee Lake's, or the EPYC's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches provide a decisive edge in these tests.

Multi-core results amplify the EPYC's lead. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC scores 9476 against the i7-8700T's 8698. The EPYC's 8 cores versus 6 cores, combined with 16 threads versus 12, plus the 32 MB L3 versus 12 MB, all contribute to the 8.9% advantage. The i7-8700T's only recorded wins in the database come from Geekbench tests, which are not part of the head-to-head comparison: it scores 5168 multi-core and 1343 single-core, while the EPYC has no Geekbench scores recorded.

For real-world use cases, the EPYC 7261 suits server workloads, virtualization, and multi-threaded content creation where its eight-channel memory and ECC support matter. The i7-8700T fits desktop scenarios requiring integrated graphics, low power consumption at 35 W, or a smaller platform footprint with Socket 1151.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7261 has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the Intel Core i7-8700T has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Does the EPYC 7261 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the EPYC 7261 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i7-8700T does not support ECC memory.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-8700T includes UHD Graphics 630. The AMD EPYC 7261 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The EPYC 7261 offers 170.6 GB/s over an eight-channel memory bus, while the i7-8700T provides 42.7 GB/s over a dual-channel bus.

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The EPYC 7261 wins all three Cinebench single-core tests by 8.9%, despite the i7-8700T's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 2.90 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The EPYC 7261 has a TDP of 170 W, and the i7-8700T has a TDP of 35 W.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a perfect sweep for the AMD EPYC 7261, with every Cinebench test resulting in an 8.9% delta. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC scores 954 against 876 for the i7-8700T. The single-core R15 test follows the same pattern: 134 versus 123. Moving to R20, the EPYC records 3979 multi-core and 561 single-core, while the i7-8700T manages 3653 and 515 respectively. The R23 results continue the trend: 9476 multi-core for the EPYC against 8698, and 1337 single-core against 1228.

The uniform 8.9% delta across all six tests is noteworthy. This consistency suggests the performance gap stems from a fixed architectural advantage rather than workload-specific scaling. The EPYC's larger L3 cache (32 MB versus 12 MB) and higher core count likely drive the multi-core wins, while its larger per-core L1 (96 KB versus 64 KB) and L2 (512 KB versus 256 KB) caches explain the single-core victories despite the clock speed disadvantage.

The i7-8700T does have additional Geekbench scores in the database, with 5168 multi-core and 1343 single-core, but the EPYC 7261 has no Geekbench measurements recorded. Therefore, the head-to-head comparison relies exclusively on Cinebench, where the EPYC is undefeated. The average benchmark score for the EPYC is 2740 versus 2701 for the i7-8700T, a 39-point gap that reflects the EPYC's consistent edge across all recorded tests.

The nearest rivals further contextualize these results. The EPYC's closest competitor, the Intel Xeon E-2176M, scores 2751 with a -0.4% delta, meaning the EPYC trails by less than half a percent. The i7-8700T's nearest rival, the Intel Core i7-1185G7E, scores 2703 with a -0.1% delta. Both processors sit at the 50th percentile among all CPUs, placing them in the middle of the performance distribution despite their different market segments.

Specification Differences

The AMD EPYC 7261 and Intel Core i7-8700T differ across nearly every recorded specification. The EPYC has 8 cores and 16 threads, while the i7-8700T has 6 cores and 12 threads. Base clocks are close at 2.50 GHz versus 2.40 GHz, but boost clocks diverge sharply: the EPYC reaches only 2.90 GHz, while the i7-8700T boosts to 4.00 GHz. TDP differs by a factor of nearly five: 170 W for the EPYC versus 35 W for the i7-8700T.

The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket SP3 for the EPYC and Intel Socket 1151 for the i7-8700T. The EPYC uses the Zen architecture with the Naples codename, while the i7-8700T uses Coffee Lake. Both are built on 14 nm processes, but the EPYC's die is larger at 213 mm² versus 154 mm², and the EPYC contains 4,800 million transistors while the i7-8700T has no recorded transistor count.

Cache sizes differ at every level. The EPYC provides 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 32 MB shared L3. The i7-8700T offers 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. Memory support also diverges: both use DDR4, but the EPYC uses an eight-channel bus with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, while the i7-8700T uses a dual-channel bus with 42.7 GB/s and no ECC.

The i7-8700T includes integrated UHD Graphics 630; the EPYC has none. The EPYC targets Server/Workstation and remains Active in production, while the i7-8700T targets Desktop and is End-of-life. The EPYC has an unlocked multiplier and part number PS7261BEV8RAF; the i7-8700T has a locked multiplier and part number SR3WX. The EPYC's release date is 2018-06-13, while the i7-8700T's is 2018-04-01. Neither processor has a recorded launch MSRP in the database.