AMD EPYC 7262 vs Intel Core i5-13500TE Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7262 and Intel Core i5-13500TE represent two fundamentally different approaches to computing: a server-focused, high-bandwidth platform versus a power-efficient desktop processor. Despite the Intel part having more cores and a much higher boost clock, the benchmark data reveals a surprisingly consistent, albeit narrow, victory for the AMD EPYC 7262 across every single test in the head-to-head comparison. This analysis explores the quantitative results and the architectural reasoning behind them, strictly based on the provided data.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark results are remarkably uniform, with the AMD EPYC 7262 winning all six Cinebench tests. The margin of victory is consistent, hovering around 2% in every workload. In the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, the EPYC 7262 scores 17,662 against the i5-13500TE’s 17,294, a delta of 2.1%. The single-core results tell a similar story: the EPYC 7262 achieves 2,493 points in R23 single-core, while the Intel chip manages 2,441, also a 2.1% difference. This pattern is repeated in older Cinebench versions; the EPYC 7262 leads by 2.1% in R20 multi-core (7,418 vs. 7,263) and by 2.1% in R20 single-core (1,047 vs. 1,025).

The margins are slightly tighter in the R15 generation. The EPYC 7262 wins R15 multi-core with 1,780 points versus 1,743, a 2.1% lead, and R15 single-core with 251 points versus 246, a 2% lead. The data shows a clear trend: the EPYC 7262 is the faster processor in every benchmark recorded, but the performance gap is almost negligible in practical terms. The i5-13500TE, with its 14 cores and 20 threads, cannot convert its higher core count into a multi-core advantage. Instead, the EPYC 7262’s 8 cores and 16 threads are sufficient to edge out a win. The average benchmark score reinforces this overall picture: the EPYC 7262 averages 5,109 points, placing it in the 60th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-13500TE averages 5,002 points, placing it in the 59th percentile. The delta here is just over 2%, which aligns perfectly with the individual test results.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark, explaining why the benchmark results are so close despite vastly different core counts and power envelopes. The AMD EPYC 7262 is built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Rome, using a 7 nm process from TSMC. It is a server-class chip designed for the AMD Socket SP3 platform. Its die size is listed as 4x 74 mm², reflecting a chiplet design. In stark contrast, the Intel Core i5-13500TE is a Raptor Lake-S desktop processor built on Intel’s 10 nm process, featuring a monolithic 215 mm² die. These are two different manufacturing philosophies: AMD’s chiplet approach versus Intel’s monolithic design.

The memory architectures are also fundamentally different. The EPYC 7262 supports DDR4 memory over an eight-channel bus, yielding a massive memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The i5-13500TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but over a dual-channel bus, and no memory bandwidth figure is provided in the data. This memory bandwidth disparity likely compensates for the EPYC’s lower core count in multi-threaded workloads. Cache configurations also differ significantly. The EPYC 7262 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3 per die, with a total L3 of 128 MB. The i5-13500TE has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. The EPYC’s massive 128 MB L3 cache is a server-grade feature designed to hold large working sets. The Intel part compensates with larger per-core L1 and L2 caches.

The feature sets diverge significantly. The EPYC 7262 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), which is a defining characteristic for server workloads. The i5-13500TE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The Intel chip includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, while the EPYC 7262 has no integrated graphics. Both support ECC memory, but the EPYC’s eight-channel memory bus is a clear server advantage. The power envelopes are wildly different: the EPYC 7262 has a TDP of 155 watts, while the i5-13500TE has a TDP of just 35 watts. This 120-watt difference does not translate into a performance lead for the EPYC, but it does highlight the Intel part’s efficiency target.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the benchmark data, the AMD EPYC 7262 wins every single head-to-head test. There is no benchmark category where the Intel Core i5-13500TE comes out ahead. This means that for raw compute performance in Cinebench workloads—both single-core and multi-core—the EPYC 7262 is the superior choice. The data does not show a scenario where the i5-13500TE wins, so a use-case split based on wins is impossible. The EPYC 7262’s victory is narrow but absolute, with a 2.1% advantage in nearly every test.

However, the data also suggests that the i5-13500TE is not far behind. The 2.1% delta is small, and the Intel chip achieves this with far fewer resources in terms of memory bandwidth and L3 cache. The i5-13500TE’s integrated graphics and lower TDP are not captured in the Cinebench scores, but they are part of the factual data. The EPYC 7262’s advantage in memory bandwidth (204.8 GB/s) and PCIe lanes (128) are not directly measured in these benchmarks, but they are significant architectural features. Therefore, while the EPYC 7262 wins all compute benchmarks, the i5-13500TE may be more appropriate for scenarios where its integrated graphics or power efficiency are valued, though this is a qualitative inference from the data, not a benchmark win.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7262 is the faster processor in every benchmark recorded. If the selection is based purely on Cinebench performance, the EPYC 7262 is the correct choice. It leads by 2.1% in multi-core R23 and by 2.1% in single-core R23. The same margin applies to R20 and R15. The EPYC 7262’s average benchmark score of 5,109 versus 5,002 for the i5-13500TE confirms this. The Intel part’s higher core count (14 vs. 8) and higher boost clock (4.50 GHz vs. 3.40 GHz) do not yield a performance advantage in these tests.

The choice should also consider the platform context. The EPYC 7262 is a server/workstation chip with 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and eight-channel memory. The i5-13500TE is a desktop chip with 16 PCIe Gen 5 lanes and dual-channel memory. For a user building a high-throughput server, the EPYC 7262 offers both the benchmark win and the necessary server features. For a desktop user, the i5-13500TE’s lower TDP and integrated graphics are notable, but the benchmark data shows it loses to the EPYC 7262. The i5-13500TE is also within 2% of the EPYC 7262, so the performance difference is minimal. The verdict from the data is clear: the EPYC 7262 wins all head-to-head tests, and the i5-13500TE is a close second. The EPYC 7262 is the pick for maximum compute performance, while the i5-13500TE is a viable alternative if its specific features like integrated graphics or lower power draw are required, but not based on benchmark superiority.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has a higher multi-core score in Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD EPYC 7262 has a higher multi-core score of 17,662 in Cinebench R23, compared to the Intel Core i5-13500TE’s score of 17,294. This represents a 2.1% lead for the EPYC 7262.

Q: What is the difference in average benchmark scores between the two?

A: The AMD EPYC 7262 has an average benchmark score of 5,109, while the Intel Core i5-13500TE has an average score of 5,002. The EPYC 7262 is 2.1% higher, based on the head-to-head delta.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-13500TE have more cores than the AMD EPYC 7262?

A: Yes, the Intel Core i5-13500TE has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7262 has 8 cores and 16 threads. Despite having more cores, the Intel chip does not win any of the Cinebench tests.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the AMD EPYC 7262?

A: The AMD EPYC 7262 has a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, supported by its eight-channel DDR4 memory bus. The Intel Core i5-13500TE has a dual-channel memory bus and no bandwidth figure is listed.

Q: Does either CPU have integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500TE has integrated UHD Graphics 770. The AMD EPYC 7262 does not have integrated graphics, as the field is listed as null.

Q: What are the TDPs of the two processors?

A: The AMD EPYC 7262 has a TDP of 155 watts, while the Intel Core i5-13500TE has a TDP of 35 watts.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7262 | Intel Core i5-13500TE |

| :--- | :--- | :--- |

| Series | EPYC 7002 series | Core 13th Gen |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Rome | Raptor Lake-S |

| Process Node | 7 nm (TSMC) | 10 nm (Intel) |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 15,200 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 4x 74 mm² | 215 mm² |

| Cores | 8 | 14 |

| Threads | 16 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 1300.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (per die) / 128 MB total | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | Not specified |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 5, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| TDP | 155 W | 35 W |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2019-08-06 | 2023-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $575 | $235 |