CPU Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7282 and Intel Core i9-7980XE represent two distinct approaches to high-core-count computing: a modern, dual-die server processor built for scale versus an older, monolithic desktop flagship. While both land in the 63rd percentile of all CPUs, the benchmark data reveals a narrow but consistent advantage for the EPYC part across every single tested workload.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a clean sweep for the AMD EPYC 7282, which wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons, albeit by slim margins. The largest victory comes in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where the EPYC scores 10,758 against Intel's 10,530, a 2.2% delta. This pattern repeats across the board: in Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC’s 2,581 beats the i9-7980XE’s 2,527 (2.1% delta), and in R23 multi-core, the gap is again 2.2% (25,616 vs 25,072).

Single-core results tell a similar story, though the differences are equally narrow. The EPYC 7282 edges out the Intel part in R15 single-core (364 vs 356, a 2.2% delta) and maintains that exact 2.2% margin in both R20 (1,518 vs 1,486) and R23 (3,616 vs 3,539). These margins are consistent enough to suggest a genuine architectural advantage rather than run-to-run variance, but they are hardly decisive. For context, the EPYC 7282’s average benchmark score of 7,409 places it just 0.2% ahead of the Intel Core i9-9980XE in its nearest rival list, while the i9-7980XE’s 7,018 average puts it 1.2% behind the Core i9-9960X.

Interestingly, the i9-7980XE has one benchmark in its pack that the EPYC lacks: Geekbench. There, it scores 11,198 multi-core and 1,435 single-core. Since no comparable Geekbench result exists for the EPYC 7282, the head-to-head table omits it, but the Intel part’s inclusion of this test does not change the overall outcome. The EPYC 7282 wins 6-0 in the provided comparisons, and its nearest rival data shows it trading blows with the i9-9990XE (-0.1% delta) and i5-4570 (-0.2%), while the i9-7980XE sits close to the Xeon Platinum 8260 (0.4% delta) and the EPYC 7302P (-1.1%).

Architecture Differences

The fundamental split between these chips begins at the process node. The EPYC 7282 is built on TSMC’s 7 nm process, while the i9-7980XE uses Intel’s 14 nm node. This explains the dramatic die-size disparity: the EPYC 7282 uses two 74 mm² dies (totaling 148 mm²) with 7,600 million transistors, whereas the Intel part is a single monolithic 484 mm² die. The EPYC’s smaller, denser dies are a direct result of the newer manufacturing process.

Architecturally, the EPYC 7282 is Zen 2 under the codename Rome, part of the EPYC 7002 series. The i9-7980XE is Skylake-X, belonging to the Core i9 Extreme X-Series 7th Generation. The EPYC features 16 cores and 32 threads, while Intel packs 18 cores and 36 threads. Despite having two fewer cores, the AMD part still wins in every benchmark, pointing to higher instructions-per-clock efficiency from the Zen 2 design.

Cache configurations differ substantially. Both share 64 KB of L1 per core, but the EPYC has 512 KB of L2 per core versus Intel’s 1 MB per core. In L3, the EPYC offers 32 MB per die (64 MB total across two dies), while the i9-7980XE has 24.75 MB shared. Memory support is also asymmetric: the EPYC uses an eight-channel DDR4 bus, while Intel uses quad-channel. Both achieve the same theoretical memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s, but the EPYC does so with more channels and lower per-channel pressure.

Connectivity is another major divider. The EPYC 7282 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the i9-7980XE offers PCIe Gen 3 with 44 lanes. That is a generational leap in both bandwidth and lane count, making the EPYC far more suitable for multi-GPU or NVMe-heavy server workloads. The EPYC also supports ECC memory; the Intel part does not. The EPYC’s socket is AMD Socket SP3, while Intel uses Socket 2066. Finally, the i9-7980XE has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking; the EPYC does not.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 7282 wins all three multi-core Cinebench tests. In R15, it scores 2,581 vs 2,527; in R20, 10,758 vs 10,530; in R23, 25,616 vs 25,072. The margin is 2.1-2.2% each time.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-7980XE have more cores?

A: Yes, the i9-7980XE has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the EPYC 7282 has 16 cores and 32 threads. Despite this, the EPYC still outperforms the Intel chip in every head-to-head benchmark.

Q: What is the difference in memory channels?

A: The EPYC 7282 supports eight-channel DDR4 memory, while the i9-7980XE supports quad-channel DDR4. Both achieve a theoretical memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s.

Q: Does either CPU support ECC memory?

A: Only the AMD EPYC 7282 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i9-7980XE does not.

Q: Which CPU is newer?

A: The EPYC 7282 was released on August 6, 2019. The i9-7980XE was released on August 31, 2017. The EPYC is also still in active production, while the Intel part is end-of-life.

Q: What is the PCIe generation difference?

A: The EPYC 7282 uses PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes, while the i9-7980XE uses PCIe Gen 3 with 44 lanes. This gives the EPYC a major advantage in expansion capability.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD EPYC 7282 | Intel Core i9-7980XE |

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

| Cores | 16 | 18 |

| Threads | 32 | 36 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 2.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.20 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 120 W | 165 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Skylake |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die Size | 2x 74 mm² | 484 mm² |

| Transistors | 7,600 million | Not specified |

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

| L3 Cache | 32 MB (per die), 64 MB total | 24.75 MB (shared) |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Quad-channel |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes | Gen 3, 44 Lanes |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2019-08-06 | 2017-08-31 |

| Launch MSRP | $650 | $1999 |

| Unlocked Multiplier | No | Yes |

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7282 outperforms the Intel Core i9-7980XE in every single head-to-head test, despite having two fewer cores and a significantly lower 120 W TDP versus Intel’s 165 W. The EPYC’s 2.2% lead in multi-core R20 and R23 tests is consistent, and its single-core advantage matches that margin, indicating that Zen 2’s architectural efficiency compensates for the core-count deficit.

For server and workstation buyers, the EPYC 7282 is the clear choice. Its eight-channel memory, ECC support, PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes, and active production status make it a forward-looking platform. The Intel part is end-of-life, uses older PCIe Gen 3 with only 44 lanes, and lacks ECC. The EPYC also carries a launch MSRP of $650 versus $1,999 for the i9-7980XE, though pricing should not be the deciding factor in this analysis.

For desktop enthusiasts, the i9-7980XE offers an unlocked multiplier and a higher 4.40 GHz boost clock, which could appeal to overclockers. However, the data shows it loses in stock performance and offers no ECC, fewer PCIe lanes, and higher power consumption. The EPYC 7282’s 16 cores and 32 threads are sufficient to edge out the 18-core Intel part across all Cinebench versions. Given the consistent 2.1-2.2% deltas and the EPYC’s superior platform features, the data supports choosing the AMD EPYC 7282 for virtually any workload represented in these benchmarks. The only scenario where the i9-7980XE might be preferable is if the user specifically requires an unlocked multiplier for manual overclocking, as the EPYC is locked. Otherwise, the EPYC 7282 wins on performance, efficiency, and platform capabilities.