AMD EPYC 7281 vs Intel Core i9-7900X Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7281 and Intel Core i9-7900X are both 14 nm processors released in June 2017, but they target different segments: the EPYC is a server and workstation part, while the i9-7900X is a desktop enthusiast chip. The recorded head-to-head data shows a clean sweep: the EPYC 7281 wins all six Cinebench comparisons, with margins between 3.9% and 4%. Both processors sit at the 60th percentile of all CPUs in the database, but the EPYC's average benchmark score of 5315 edges out the i9-7900X's 5120.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The EPYC 7281 wins every recorded head-to-head test. The largest margin is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the EPYC scores 261 against 251 for the i9-7900X, a 4% lead. The remaining five tests all show a 3.9% advantage for the EPYC.

In multi-core workloads, the EPYC's 16 cores and 32 threads overcome the i9-7900X's higher clocks. The i9-7900X boosts to 4.50 GHz, well above the EPYC's 2.70 GHz, but the EPYC's core count advantage carries the day. Cinebench R15 multi-core: 1852 versus 1782. R20 multi-core: 7718 versus 7425. R23 multi-core: 18377 versus 17680. Each result is a 3.9% win for the EPYC.

The single-core results are more surprising. The i9-7900X has a 4.50 GHz boost clock, while the EPYC tops out at 2.70 GHz. Despite that clock deficit, the EPYC wins single-core tests by 3.9% to 4%. The EPYC's larger L1 cache (96 KB per core versus 64 KB) and larger L3 (32 MB versus 14 MB) likely contribute to this result.

The average benchmark scores in the database reinforce the pattern. The EPYC 7281 averages 5315, while the i9-7900X averages 5120. The EPYC's nearest rivals include the Core i9-10900KF at 5316 (0% delta), the Threadripper 1920X at 5306 (0.2%), and the Core i9-9900X at 5301 (0.3%). The i9-7900X's nearest rivals include the EPYC 7262 at 5109 (0.2%), the Core i7-11850HE at 5095 (0.5%), and the Xeon W-2155 at 5072 (0.9%). The EPYC sits in a slightly higher performance tier than the i9-7900X.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is one-sided. The EPYC 7281 wins all six recorded head-to-head tests, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core. If raw Cinebench performance is the deciding factor, the EPYC 7281 is the faster processor.

The i9-7900X does have advantages outside the benchmark suite. It has a higher base clock (3.30 GHz versus 2.10 GHz) and boost clock (4.50 GHz versus 2.70 GHz). It has 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only), while the EPYC's lane count is not recorded. It has a lower TDP at 140 W versus 170 W. And it is a desktop part, while the EPYC targets servers and workstations.

The i9-7900X has a launch MSRP of $999. The EPYC 7281 has no recorded launch MSRP.

The i9-7900X is end-of-life, while the EPYC 7281 remains active in production. For a new build, the EPYC has the advantage of ongoing availability. For a desktop system that needs 44 PCIe lanes, the i9-7900X offers that capability, but the benchmark data shows the EPYC winning every recorded test.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use a 14 nm process, but the designs diverge sharply. The EPYC 7281 uses AMD's Zen architecture, codenamed Naples, fabricated by GlobalFoundries. The i9-7900X uses Intel's Skylake architecture, codenamed Skylake-X, fabricated by Intel.

The core counts differ: the EPYC has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the i9-7900X has 10 cores and 20 threads. The EPYC's base clock is 2.10 GHz with a 2.70 GHz boost. The i9-7900X runs at 3.30 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. TDPs are 170 W for the EPYC and 140 W for the i9-7900X.

Cache hierarchies are different. The EPYC has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 32 MB of shared L3. The i9-7900X has 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 14 MB of shared L3. The EPYC leads in L1 and L3, while the i9-7900X has more L2 per core.

Memory support is a major differentiator. Both use DDR4, but the EPYC has an eight-channel memory bus with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the i9-7900X has a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s. The EPYC supports ECC memory; the i9-7900X does not.

PCIe connectivity: both are Gen 3, but the i9-7900X specifies 44 lanes (CPU only). The EPYC's PCIe lane count is not recorded in the database.

The EPYC has 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The i9-7900X has no transistor count or die size recorded.

The EPYC uses AMD Socket SP3, while the i9-7900X uses Intel Socket 2066. Both have unlocked multipliers. Neither has integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The AMD EPYC 7281 scores 18377, while the Intel Core i9-7900X scores 17680. The EPYC leads by 3.9%.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-7900X win any head-to-head benchmark?

A: No. The EPYC 7281 wins all six recorded head-to-head tests, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD EPYC 7281 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-7900X does not.

Q: How does memory bandwidth compare?

A: The EPYC 7281 has an eight-channel memory bus with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth. The i9-7900X has a quad-channel bus with 85.3 GB/s.

Q: Are both processors still in production?

A: No. The EPYC 7281 is listed as active, while the i9-7900X is end-of-life.

Q: What are the core and thread counts?

A: The EPYC 7281 has 16 cores and 32 threads. The i9-7900X has 10 cores and 20 threads.

Where Each One Wins

The EPYC 7281 wins every recorded benchmark, so it is the faster processor in Cinebench workloads. Its single-core wins are notable: a 4% lead in R15 and 3.9% in R20 and R23, despite the i9-7900X's 4.50 GHz boost clock against the EPYC's 2.70 GHz. The EPYC's memory bandwidth advantage (170.6 GB/s versus 85.3 GB/s) and ECC support make it the stronger choice for server and workstation workloads.

The i9-7900X has its own strengths. It has higher clocks (3.30 GHz base, 4.50 GHz boost), more L2 cache per core (1 MB versus 512 KB), 44 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, and a lower TDP (140 W versus 170 W). It is a desktop part, which may be easier to integrate into a consumer build. It also has Geekbench scores recorded in the database: 8841 multi-core and 1437 single-core. The EPYC 7281 has no Geekbench entry, so no comparison is possible there.

For a server or workstation that needs ECC, eight-channel memory bandwidth, and 32 threads, the EPYC 7281 is the clear pick. For a desktop build that needs 44 PCIe lanes and higher per-core clocks, the i9-7900X offers those features, but the recorded benchmark data shows the EPYC winning every head-to-head test.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD EPYC 7281 | Intel Core i9-7900X |

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

| Cores | 16 | 10 |

| Threads | 32 | 20 |

| Base clock | 2.10 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| Boost clock | 2.70 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 140 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Zen | Skylake |

| Codename | Naples | Skylake-X |

| Generation | EPYC (Zen (Naples)) | Core i9 (X-Series 7th Gen) |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | Not recorded |

| Die size | 213 mm² | Not recorded |

| L1 cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 32 MB (shared) | 14 MB (shared) |

| Memory bus | Eight-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 170.6 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 44 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2017-06-28 | 2017-06-25 |

| Part number | Not recorded | SR3L2 |