AMD EPYC 7272 vs Intel Atom x7405C Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7272 and the Intel Atom x7405C occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The EPYC 7272 is a 12-core, 24-thread server processor built on the Zen 2 architecture, while the Atom x7405C is a 4-core, 4-thread low-power mobile chip. Benchmark data shows a decisive performance gap, with the EPYC 7272 winning all six head-to-head Cinebench tests by margins exceeding 380%. However, the Atom x7405C posts a higher average benchmark score in the database (6568 vs. 6186) due to its inclusion of additional Passmark tests, and it sits at a similar percentile ranking (62nd vs. 61st). This contrast between raw compute dominance and overall benchmark averaging highlights that these processors serve fundamentally different purposes.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7272 wins every single compute benchmark recorded in the head-to-head comparison. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, it scores 2155 against the Atom's 446, a 383.2% advantage. The pattern repeats across all Cinebench versions: R20 multi-core shows 8982 vs. 1862 (382.4% delta), and R23 multi-core shows 21386 vs. 4435 (382.2% delta). Single-core results are equally lopsided, with the EPYC 7272 leading by 390.3% in R15 (304 vs. 62), 383.6% in R20 (1267 vs. 262), and 382.3% in R23 (3019 vs. 626). This is a processor designed for sustained multi-threaded workloads, and the data confirms it delivers massive throughput advantages across the board.

The Intel Atom x7405C wins in the domain of energy efficiency and compactness. Its TDP is just 12 watts, compared to the EPYC 7272's 120 watts, a tenfold difference. The Atom also supports DDR5 memory in addition to DDR4, while the EPYC 7272 is limited to DDR4. The Atom's single-channel memory bus (38.4 GB/s) and 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes reflect its role as a low-power, space-constrained solution, whereas the EPYC 7272 offers eight-channel DDR4 (85.3 GB/s) and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The Atom's additional Passmark benchmarks, including data compression (56317), integer math (14669), and floating-point math (9063), give it a broader benchmark profile, but these tests do not appear in the head-to-head comparison and do not close the compute gap.

The Verdict

The database verdict is unambiguous for raw performance: the AMD EPYC 7272 is the superior processor for any compute-intensive task. Its 12 cores and 24 threads provide 383.2% higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R15 compared to the Atom x7405C, and this advantage persists across every Cinebench workload. The EPYC 7272's 64 MB of total L3 cache, eight-channel memory, and PCIe Gen 4 support with 128 lanes make it a server-grade part suited for virtualization, database workloads, and high-throughput computing.

The Intel Atom x7405C is the choice for embedded, mobile, or power-constrained deployments. Its 12-watt TDP allows for passive cooling and battery-powered operation, and its support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory offers flexibility in system design. The Atom's 4 cores and 4 threads are sufficient for lightweight tasks such as network appliances, industrial controllers, or edge gateways, where the EPYC 7272's 120-watt TDP and server-socket requirement would be prohibitive. The Atom's average benchmark score of 6568, buoyed by its Passmark results, indicates that it handles a variety of integer and floating-point operations efficiently for its class, but it cannot match the EPYC 7272's absolute throughput.

For users who need maximum compute density, the EPYC 7272 is the only rational choice. For users who prioritize low power consumption and small physical footprint, the Atom x7405C is the appropriate fit. The data does not support any scenario where the Atom outperforms the EPYC 7272 in processing power.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six head-to-head Cinebench results provide a complete picture of the performance disparity. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7272's score of 2155 is 383.2% higher than the Atom's 446. This translates to roughly 4.8 times the multi-threaded rendering performance. The single-core R15 result is even more pronounced in relative terms: 304 vs. 62, a 390.3% delta, meaning the EPYC 7272 delivers about 4.9 times the single-thread performance.

Cinebench R20 follows the same trajectory. Multi-core shows 8982 vs. 1862 (382.4% delta), and single-core shows 1267 vs. 262 (383.6% delta). The consistency of these margins, all clustering around 382-390%, suggests that the performance ratio is driven by a combination of core count, thread count, and architectural efficiency. The EPYC 7272's 12 Zen 2 cores with 24 threads provide a structural advantage that the Atom's 4 Gracemont cores cannot overcome.

Cinebench R23, the most recent test in the set, confirms the pattern. Multi-core scores are 21386 for the EPYC 7272 and 4435 for the Atom, a 382.2% delta. Single-core scores are 3019 and 626, respectively, a 382.3% delta. Notably, the EPYC 7272's single-core score of 3019 is higher than the Atom's multi-core score of 4435, meaning one EPYC core outperforms all four Atom cores combined in this workload. This stark result underscores the architectural gulf: the EPYC 7272's 2.90 GHz base clock and 3.20 GHz boost clock, combined with Zen 2's higher instructions-per-cycle, produce per-core performance that vastly exceeds the Atom's 1.70 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost.

The Atom's Passmark results, while not part of the head-to-head set, provide context for its strengths. Its data compression score of 56317 is particularly high, and its integer math score of 14669 and floating-point math score of 9063 indicate decent throughput for a low-power chip. However, its single-thread score of 1675 and multi-thread score of 5218 show that even its best-case performance is an order of magnitude below the EPYC 7272's Cinebench multi-core output.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7272 has 12 cores and 24 threads. The Intel Atom x7405C has 4 cores and 4 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The EPYC 7272 scores 21386, while the Atom x7405C scores 4435. This gives the EPYC 7272 a 382.2% advantage.

Q: Which processor supports DDR5 memory?

A: The Intel Atom x7405C supports both DDR4 and DDR5. The AMD EPYC 7272 supports only DDR4.

Q: What are the TDP ratings for these processors?

A: The AMD EPYC 7272 has a TDP of 120 watts. The Intel Atom x7405C has a TDP of 12 watts.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does each processor provide?

A: The AMD EPYC 7272 provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The Intel Atom x7405C provides 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Atom x7405C has an average benchmark score of 6568, compared to the AMD EPYC 7272's 6186. However, this includes Passmark tests not present in the head-to-head comparison.

Architecture Differences

The AMD EPYC 7272 is built on the Zen 2 architecture with the codename Rome, representing the second generation of EPYC processors. It uses a 7 nm process node from TSMC, incorporating 7,600 million transistors across a die size of 2x 74 mm². The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of L3 per die, totaling 64 MB of L3 cache. Memory support is DDR4 over an eight-channel bus, providing 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, with ECC memory support enabled.

The Intel Atom x7405C uses the Amston Lake architecture with Gracemont cores, produced on Intel's 10 nm process. Its cache layout differs significantly: 96 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of shared L2, and 6 MB of shared L3. The Atom supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a single-channel bus, yielding 38.4 GB/s of bandwidth, and it does not support ECC memory. The process node difference (7 nm vs. 10 nm) contributes to the EPYC 7272's higher transistor density and performance efficiency.

The market segments diverge sharply. The EPYC 7272 targets server and workstation deployments with its Socket SP3, while the Atom x7405C is a mobile-oriented part using BGA 1264. The EPYC 7272's PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes enables extensive I/O expansion, whereas the Atom's 9 PCIe Gen 3 lanes limit it to simple peripheral connections. The EPYC 7272 has an unlocked multiplier? No, it does not. The Atom x7405C also lacks an unlocked multiplier. Neither processor includes integrated graphics, with the Atom listing "N/A" for iGPU.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification field. The EPYC 7272 has 12 cores and 24 threads, while the Atom x7405C has 4 cores and 4 threads. Base clocks are 2.90 GHz for the EPYC 7272 and 1.70 GHz for the Atom, though the Atom's boost clock of 3.40 GHz slightly exceeds the EPYC 7272's 3.20 GHz. TDP is a major differentiator: 120 watts for the EPYC 7272 versus 12 watts for the Atom.

Socket types are incompatible: AMD Socket SP3 for the EPYC 7272, Intel BGA 1264 for the Atom. Architecture and codename differ (Zen 2 / Rome vs. Amston Lake), as do process nodes (7 nm TSMC vs. 10 nm Intel). The EPYC 7272 uses 7,600 million transistors on a 2x 74 mm² die, while the Atom's transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. Cache configurations are distinct: the EPYC 7272 offers 64 MB total L3, while the Atom provides 6 MB shared L3, with different L1 and L2 layouts.

Memory support separates them: the EPYC 7272 is DDR4-only with an eight-channel bus (85.3 GB/s), while the Atom supports DDR4 and DDR5 over a single channel (38.4 GB/s). ECC memory is available only on the EPYC 7272. PCIe capabilities differ by generation and lane count: Gen 4 with 128 lanes for the EPYC 7272, Gen 3 with 9 lanes for the Atom. Release dates are five years apart, with the EPYC 7272 launching in August 2019 and the Atom in April 2024. The EPYC 7272's launch MSRP is $625, while the Atom's launch MSRP is $57, reflecting their respective market positions.