AMD EPYC 7262 vs Intel Core i5-14401E Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a clean sweep for the Intel Core i5-14401E across every Cinebench test in the database. The margin is remarkably consistent, with the Intel part holding a 2.8% advantage in all six comparisons. This uniformity suggests a fundamental architectural efficiency rather than a workload-specific quirk.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the Intel Core i5-14401E scores 1830 against the AMD EPYC 7262's 1780. The single-core R15 test shows 258 versus 251, again favoring Intel by 2.8%. Moving to R20, the multicore result is 7627 for Intel and 7418 for AMD, while single-core lands at 1076 versus 1047. The R23 results follow the same pattern: 18161 versus 17662 in multicore, and 2564 versus 2493 in single-core.

The 2.8% delta across every test is notable. It indicates that the performance gap is not dependent on thread count, cache behavior, or memory bandwidth. The Intel chip wins by the same proportion whether the workload is single-threaded or fully parallel. This is a narrower margin than one might expect given the EPYC's higher core count and larger cache pool, but the data is unambiguous: Intel wins all six head-to-head matchups.

The average benchmark score places the i5-14401E at 5253, which sits just above its nearest rival, the Intel Xeon E5-2699A v4, at 5259 (a 0.1% deficit). The EPYC 7262 averages 5109, slightly behind the Intel Core i9-7900X at 5120 (0.2% behind). Both processors land at the 60th percentile among all CPUs in the database, meaning they occupy the same tier of overall performance despite their different design philosophies.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-14401E wins every benchmark category recorded, so its advantage is comprehensive. However, the nature of that advantage differs by workload. In multicore tests, the Intel chip's 6 cores and 12 threads overcome the EPYC's 8 cores and 16 threads. This is counterintuitive on paper, but the Cinebench scores confirm it: R15 multicore 1830 versus 1780, R20 multicore 7627 versus 7418, and R23 multicore 18161 versus 17662.

Single-core performance is where the Intel part pulls further ahead in relative terms, though the percentage remains the same. The R15 single-core result of 258 versus 251, R20 single-core of 1076 versus 1047, and R23 single-core of 2564 versus 2493 all show the same 2.8% gap. This indicates that the i5-14401E's higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz, compared to the EPYC 7262's 3.40 GHz, provides a consistent per-thread advantage.

For workloads that rely on raw single-thread speed, such as legacy applications or lightly threaded productivity tools, the Intel chip is the clear choice. For heavily threaded server workloads, the EPYC's extra cores do not translate into a win in Cinebench, but the AMD part does offer other attributes that may matter in specific deployments. The EPYC's 128 MB total L3 cache and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth are substantial resources, but they do not manifest as benchmark victories in this dataset.

The EPYC 7262 has zero wins in the head-to-head comparison. Its only advantages appear in specifications, not measured performance. The database shows a 60th percentile ranking for both chips, suggesting that in the broader CPU landscape, they are peers despite the consistent 2.8% edge for Intel.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design schools. The Intel Core i5-14401E uses the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.70 GHz. The die size is 215 mm², and the cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3.

The AMD EPYC 7262 is a Zen 2 part, codenamed Rome, built on TSMC's 7 nm process. It packs 8 cores and 16 threads, with a base clock of 3.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The chip is composed of four dies, each 74 mm², for a total of 15,200 million transistors. The cache layout differs significantly: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3 per die, totaling 128 MB of L3.

The process node difference is meaningful. TSMC's 7 nm process allows AMD to pack more transistors and cores while maintaining power efficiency relative to Intel's 10 nm. However, the EPYC's TDP is 155 watts, more than double the Intel chip's 65 watts. The Intel part compensates with a much higher boost clock, which explains its single-core advantage despite having fewer cores.

Memory support diverges sharply. The Intel chip supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel memory bus. The AMD EPYC supports DDR4 over an eight-channel memory bus, yielding a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Intel part has no listed memory bandwidth figure, but its dual-channel configuration is clearly more modest.

PCIe capabilities also differ. The Intel Core i5-14401E offers Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only), while the EPYC 7262 provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The EPYC's lane count is a server-class feature, enabling far more expansion and I/O connectivity. The Intel chip includes integrated graphics, the UHD Graphics 730, while the EPYC has no integrated GPU.

The socket and platform targets are entirely different. The Intel part uses Socket 1700 for desktop systems, while the EPYC uses Socket SP3 for server and workstation platforms. The EPYC's eight-channel memory and 128 PCIe lanes are built for data center workloads, while the Intel chip is a mainstream desktop part. Both support ECC memory, which is unusual for a desktop processor but present on the i5-14401E.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E boosts to 4.70 GHz, while the AMD EPYC 7262 reaches only 3.40 GHz. This 1.30 GHz difference is the primary driver of the Intel chip's single-core wins.

Q: Does the AMD EPYC 7262 have more cores?

A: Yes, the EPYC 7262 has 8 cores and 16 threads, compared to 6 cores and 12 threads on the Intel Core i5-14401E. Despite this, the Intel chip wins all multicore Cinebench tests by 2.8%.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference?

A: The EPYC 7262 has 32 MB of L3 per die, totaling 128 MB across its four dies. The Intel Core i5-14401E has 20 MB of shared L3. The EPYC's larger cache is a server-oriented feature.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The EPYC 7262 has an eight-channel memory bus with a listed bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Intel chip has a dual-channel bus supporting DDR4 and DDR5, with no bandwidth figure recorded in the database.

Q: Which processor supports PCIe Gen 5?

A: The Intel Core i5-14401E supports PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. The AMD EPYC 7262 uses PCIe Gen 4 but offers 128 lanes, which is a much higher lane count for server expansion.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the AMD EPYC 7262?

A: The launch MSRP is $575. The Intel Core i5-14401E has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-14401E | AMD EPYC 7262 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 8 |

| Threads | 12 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.50 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.70 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 155 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1700 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-R | Rome |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 215 mm² | 4x 74 mm² |

| Transistors | Not listed | 15,200 million |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 20 MB (shared) | 32 MB (per die), 128 MB total |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

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

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

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

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 730 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2024-06-30 | 2019-08-06 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $575 |

| Part Number | Q49JSRNJS | 100-000000041 |

The release date gap is substantial, with the Intel part arriving nearly five years after the AMD chip. The EPYC's transistor count of 15,200 million reflects its chiplet design, while the Intel part's transistor count is not recorded. Both processors are currently marked as Active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.