AMD EPYC 72F3 vs Intel Core i5-3470 Comparison

FAQ

Q: How do the two processors compare in overall benchmark averages?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470 has an average benchmark score of 6906, while the AMD EPYC 72F3 scores 6700. Despite the EPYC's dominant head-to-head results, the i5-3470's average is barely higher, placing it in the 63rd percentile of all CPUs versus the EPYC's 62nd percentile.

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core rendering workloads?

A: The AMD EPYC 72F3 wins every multi-core test by a wide margin. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC scores 23164 against the i5-3470's 3957, a delta of 82.9%. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R15 (2334 vs 398) and R20 (9728 vs 1661).

Q: Is there any benchmark where the Intel i5-3470 comes out ahead?

A: No. Across all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the AMD EPYC 72F3 wins every single test. The i5-3470 records zero wins, while the EPYC takes all six.

Q: What about single-core performance?

A: The EPYC 72F3 is also far ahead in single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 3270 versus 558 for the i5-3470, an 82.9% delta. Cinebench R15 and R20 show similar gaps of 83% in favor of the EPYC.

Q: How do their memory subsystems differ?

A: The i5-3470 supports dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. The EPYC 72F3 uses eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and supports ECC memory.

Q: What are the production statuses of these processors?

A: The Intel Core i5-3470 is end-of-life, released in May 2012. The AMD EPYC 72F3 is active, released in March 2021.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-3470 and AMD EPYC 72F3 represent entirely different eras and design philosophies. The i5-3470 uses Intel's Ivy Bridge architecture built on a 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 160 mm² die. The EPYC 72F3 is based on AMD's Zen 3 architecture, specifically the Milan codename, fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process with 33,200 million transistors spread across eight 81 mm² chiplets.

Core counts differ substantially. The i5-3470 has 4 physical cores and 4 threads, while the EPYC 72F3 doubles both to 8 cores and 16 threads. Clock speeds also favor the EPYC: it has a 3.70 GHz base clock and 4.10 GHz boost, compared to 3.20 GHz base and 3.60 GHz boost for the Intel part.

Cache hierarchies reflect the divergent targets. Both share 64 KB L1 per core and 256 KB L2 per core, but the EPYC jumps to 512 KB L2 per core. The L3 cache tells the biggest story: the i5-3470 has 6 MB shared L3, while the EPYC 72F3 has 256 MB shared L3, a 40-fold difference that drives massive server-level performance.

Memory support is another fundamental split. The i5-3470 uses DDR3 with dual-channel configuration and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth. The EPYC 72F3 uses DDR4 with eight-channel configuration and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory where the Intel part does not. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i5-3470 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the EPYC provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes.

The i5-3470 includes integrated Intel HD 2500 graphics, while the EPYC 72F3 has no integrated graphics, reflecting its server/workstation positioning. The Intel part targets desktop with a 77 W TDP, while the EPYC consumes 180 W in the server segment. Power efficiency is clearly not the EPYC's priority; raw throughput is.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a complete sweep. The AMD EPYC 72F3 wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, and the margins are consistently massive. Every single-core and multi-core Cinebench test shows a delta of approximately 83% in favor of the EPYC.

In multi-core workloads, the pattern is identical across all three Cinebench versions. R15 multi-core shows 2334 for the EPYC versus 398 for the i5-3470, a delta of 82.9%. R20 multi-core records 9728 versus 1661, again 82.9%. R23 multi-core repeats the exact same percentage: 23164 versus 3957, 82.9%. The consistency across three different rendering workloads suggests the gap is structural, not test-specific.

Single-core results are equally one-sided. Cinebench R15 single-core gives the EPYC 329 points against 56 for the i5-3470, an 83% delta. R20 single-core shows 1373 versus 234, also 83%. R23 single-core continues the trend with 3270 versus 558, 82.9%. The EPYC's per-core advantage is just as pronounced as its multi-core lead, meaning the Zen 3 architecture delivers superior performance even when thread count is equalized.

The i5-3470 does have a broader benchmark record in the database. Beyond the Cinebench tests, it posts Geekbench multi-core and single-core scores of 2015 and 715, and PassMark results including 73224 in data compression, 10871 in floating point math, and 14840 in integer math. The EPYC's recorded benchmark set is limited to the six Cinebench tests, so direct comparisons outside that suite cannot be drawn from the data.

The nearest rivals provide context. The i5-3470 sits within 0.8% of the Intel Xeon W-2195, AMD Ryzen 3 3200G, Intel Core i9-9960X, and Intel Core i3-1115G4. The EPYC 72F3 is within 0.8% of the Intel Xeon Gold 5317, Intel Xeon D-2775TE, Intel Core i9-9940X, and AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2950X. These rival clusters confirm that the two CPUs occupy different performance tiers despite similar percentile rankings.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-3470 | AMD EPYC 72F3 |

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

| Cores | 4 | 8 |

| Threads | 4 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 3.20 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.10 GHz |

| TDP | 77 W | 180 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Zen 3 (Milan) |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 33,200 million |

| Die Size | 160 mm² | 8x 81 mm² |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB (shared) | 256 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 204.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 128 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 2500 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

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

| Release Date | 2012-05-31 | 2021-03-14 |

| Launch MSRP | $184 | $2468 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 72F3 wins in every measurable benchmark category recorded. Multi-core rendering, single-core rendering, all Cinebench versions: the EPYC dominates with deltas around 83%. Its 8 cores and 16 threads provide double the parallel execution capacity of the i5-3470's 4 cores and 4 threads. The 256 MB L3 cache and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth make it suited for data-heavy server workloads that the i5-3470's 6 MB L3 and 25.6 GB/s bandwidth cannot approach.

The Intel Core i5-3470 wins in power efficiency and platform simplicity. Its 77 W TDP is less than half the EPYC's 180 W. It includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic desktop systems. Its DDR3 memory support and dual-channel bus target consumer desktop use cases. The i5-3470 also carries a much lower launch MSRP of $184 versus the EPYC's $2468, though pricing comparisons beyond stated launch values are not part of this analysis.

The i5-3470's nearest rivals include desktop and mobile processors like the Ryzen 3 3200G and Core i3-1115G4, while the EPYC's rivals include server Xeons and high-end Threadripper parts. This positioning shows the i5-3470 was competitive in its own segment, while the EPYC competes in a far more demanding performance class.

For workloads like Cinebench rendering, the EPYC's advantage is absolute. For general desktop productivity, the i5-3470's integrated graphics and lower power draw make it a viable legacy platform. The data does not show any scenario where the i5-3470 outperforms the EPYC in compute throughput.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous. The AMD EPYC 72F3 outperforms the Intel Core i5-3470 in every recorded test by roughly 83%. No single benchmark favors the Intel part, and the margin is consistent across all three Cinebench versions and both single-core and multi-core modes.

The i5-3470's advantages are entirely outside raw performance. Its 77 W TDP, integrated HD 2500 graphics, and DDR3 support make it a low-power desktop processor. Its average benchmark score of 6906 actually edges the EPYC's 6700, and its 63rd percentile ranking is one point higher than the EPYC's 62nd. These aggregate metrics reflect the i5-3470's broader benchmark record, including PassMark and Geekbench scores that the EPYC lacks.

The EPYC 72F3 is the clear choice for compute-intensive server and workstation workloads. Its 8 cores, 16 threads, 256 MB L3 cache, eight-channel DDR4, and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes define a platform built for maximum throughput. The i5-3470 is a legacy desktop part, end-of-life since its 2012 release, suited only for basic computing or as a low-cost entry point.

For users seeking rendering performance, server virtualization, or data processing, the EPYC 72F3 is the only rational option. For legacy desktop builds where integrated graphics and low power matter more than speed, the i5-3470 remains functional but cannot compete on any performance metric. The verdict from the data is simple: the EPYC 72F3 wins every head-to-head comparison, and the i5-3470's only wins are in efficiency and platform cost, not in measured speed.