CPU Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7272 and AMD EPYC 7451 are both server-class processors built for the SP3 socket, yet they represent two distinct generations of AMD’s EPYC lineup. The 7272, a 12-core Rome part, consistently outperforms the 24-core Naples-based 7451 across every Cinebench benchmark recorded, despite the latter having double the core count. This outcome highlights the architectural leap between Zen 2 and the original Zen design, where per-core efficiency and IPC gains outweigh raw core quantity in these specific workloads. The data shows a clear overall victory for the newer chip, with a 100% win rate in the head-to-head tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more physical cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7451 features 24 cores and 48 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7272 has 12 cores and 24 threads.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The EPYC 7272 has an average benchmark score of 6186, which is 4.6% higher than the EPYC 7451’s average of 5915.

Q: Are both processors using the same manufacturing process?

A: No, the EPYC 7272 is built on a 7 nm process by TSMC, whereas the EPYC 7451 uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries.

Q: How do the single-core scores compare in Cinebench R23?

A: In Cinebench R23 single-core, the EPYC 7272 scores 3019, which is 4.6% ahead of the EPYC 7451’s 2887.

Q: Which processor has a higher base clock speed?

A: The EPYC 7272 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz, which is higher than the EPYC 7451’s 2.30 GHz base clock.

Q: Do both chips support eight-channel memory?

A: Yes, both the EPYC 7272 and the EPYC 7451 have an eight-channel memory bus.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data presents a one-sided picture: the AMD EPYC 7272 wins all six head-to-head comparisons. Its victories are consistent across every Cinebench iteration, from R15 to R23, in both multi-core and single-core tests. The smallest margin of victory is 4.5% in Cinebench R20 single-core, while the largest is 4.8% in Cinebench R15 single-core. For multi-threaded workloads, the 7272 maintains a steady edge of 4.6% across R15, R20, and R23, demonstrating that its architectural efficiency compensates for having half the cores of the 7451.

The EPYC 7451 does not win any benchmark in this dataset. However, its advantage lies in its larger core count and higher memory bandwidth. With 24 cores and a memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s, the 7451 is positioned for workloads that scale with raw thread count and memory throughput, even if those advantages do not translate to Cinebench scores. The 7451 also has a larger shared L3 cache of 64 MB, which could benefit certain database or virtualization scenarios. For users prioritizing the highest possible per-core performance and newer architecture, the 7272 is the clear winner; for those needing double the physical cores for highly parallel, memory-intensive tasks, the 7451 remains a viable option.

Architecture Differences

The fundamental divergence between these two EPYC processors lies in their underlying architectures. The EPYC 7272 is based on Zen 2, codenamed Rome, and manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC. This chip utilizes a chiplet design, with a die size listed as 2x 74 mm² and a total of 7,600 million transistors. In contrast, the EPYC 7451 is based on the original Zen architecture, codenamed Naples, and uses a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. The 7451 is a monolithic design with a die size of 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors.

These architectural differences manifest in cache hierarchies and PCIe support. The 7272 has a per-core L1 cache of 64 KB and per-die L3 cache of 32 MB, resulting in a total of 64 MB L3. The 7451 has a larger per-core L1 cache at 96 KB but a single shared 64 MB L3 pool. A significant generational improvement is PCIe support: the 7272 offers PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the 7451 is limited to PCIe Gen 3. This gives the newer chip double the I/O bandwidth per lane, a critical factor for storage and accelerator-heavy servers. The process node shrink also contributes to the 7272’s lower TDP of 120 watts compared to the 7451’s 180 watts, despite the latter having more cores.

Specification Differences

The specification sheet reveals several key differences beyond core count. The EPYC 7272 operates at a base clock of 2.90 GHz, which is 0.60 GHz higher than the EPYC 7451’s base clock of 2.30 GHz. Both chips share the same boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The 7272 has a TDP of 120 watts, while the 7451 draws 180 watts, a 50% increase in power envelope for the older chip.

Memory bandwidth is a notable distinction: the 7451 supports 170.6 GB/s, which is double the 85.3 GB/s of the 7272. Both support DDR4 memory with ECC. The 7272 is a 12-core, 24-thread part, while the 7451 is a 24-core, 48-thread part. The 7451 has an unlocked multiplier, whereas the 7272 does not. Their release dates differ significantly, with the 7451 launching on 2017-06-28 and the 7272 on 2019-08-06. The 7272 has a launch MSRP of $625, while the 7451’s launch MSRP is not listed. The 7272 uses the part number 100-000000079, and the 7451 uses PS7451BDVHCAF.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7272 outperforms the AMD EPYC 7451 in every single test. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the 7272 scores 2155 against 2061 for the 7451, a 4.6% advantage. The R15 single-core test shows a similar story, with the 7272 at 304 and the 7451 at 290, yielding a 4.8% lead for the newer chip.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the 7272 continues its dominance. In multi-core, it scores 8982 versus 8589 for the 7451, another 4.6% margin. The single-core R20 result shows 1267 for the 7272 and 1212 for the 7451, a 4.5% difference. The pattern holds in Cinebench R23, where the 7272 scores 21386 in multi-core and 3019 in single-core, while the 7451 scores 20450 and 2887, respectively. The multi-core delta is 4.6%, and the single-core delta is 4.6%.

These results are particularly striking given the core count disparity. The 7451 has twice the cores of the 7272, yet it loses by roughly 4.6% in multi-core workloads. This indicates that the Zen 2 architecture’s improvements in IPC, combined with the higher base clock and faster memory access patterns, completely offset the raw thread count advantage. The 7272’s average benchmark score of 6186 places it in the 61st percentile of all CPUs, with its nearest rival being the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, which scores 6231 (a 0.7% difference). The 7451’s average of 5915 also sits in the 61st percentile, with its closest competitor being the Intel Core i9-9920X at 5917, essentially a tie. This parity in overall percentile, despite the 7272’s clean sweep, suggests that the 7451’s higher multi-threaded capability in other applications may keep it competitive in broader CPU rankings, even if it loses in these specific Cinebench tests.