AMD EPYC 7301 vs AMD Ryzen 7 5825C Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a strikingly consistent picture: the AMD EPYC 7301 wins every single head-to-head comparison across the Cinebench suite, but the margins are remarkably slim. Across all six recorded tests, the EPYC 7301 takes the victory, yet the largest advantage is just 3.4%, and most wins sit at exactly 3%.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the EPYC 7301 scores 1284 against the Ryzen 7 5825C's 1247, a 3% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows the EPYC ahead at 181 versus 175, which translates to a 3.4% lead, the widest margin in the entire comparison. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multicore result has the EPYC at 5351 and the Ryzen at 5197, again a 3% gap. The R20 single-core test sees the EPYC at 755 versus 733, another 3% win. Cinebench R23 multicore delivers 12742 for the EPYC against 12376 for the Ryzen, a 3% difference, while R23 single-core shows 1798 versus 1747, a 2.9% edge.

What makes these results notable is the hardware behind them. The EPYC 7301 is a 16-core, 32-thread server processor with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and boost of 2.70 GHz. The Ryzen 7 5825C is an 8-core, 16-thread mobile chip with a base clock of 2000.00 MHz and a boost of 4.50 GHz. Despite having half the cores and threads, the Ryzen nearly matches the EPYC in every test. The data shows the Ryzen's significantly higher boost clock, over 1.8 GHz faster than the EPYC's maximum, allows it to close what would otherwise be a massive multicore gap.

The average benchmark scores place these processors very close in the broader database. The EPYC 7301 holds an average benchmark score of 3685, placing it in the 56th percentile of all CPUs. The Ryzen 7 5825C averages 3579, sitting in the 55th percentile. The nearest rivals for each processor reinforce their similar standing. The EPYC's closest competitor is the AMD Ryzen 7 PRO 1700X at 3673, just 0.3% behind, while the Ryzen 7 5825C's nearest rival is the Intel Core i9-9980HK at 3577, a 0.1% gap.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded benchmarks show the EPYC 7301 winning every tested workload, but the practical interpretation requires looking at the margins and the processor characteristics. The EPYC's wins are consistent but narrow, never exceeding 3.4%. This suggests that in purely synthetic Cinebench loads, the two processors deliver nearly equivalent performance, with the EPYC holding a slight edge.

The EPYC 7301 wins all six head-to-head tests, giving it a clean 6-0 record. Its advantages are most pronounced in single-core R15, where it leads by 3.4%, and least pronounced in R23 single-core, where the lead narrows to 2.9%. For workloads that stress all cores simultaneously, the EPYC's 16-core, 32-thread configuration versus the Ryzen's 8-core, 16-thread setup should theoretically produce a large gap, but the data shows only a 3% difference. This indicates the Ryzen's architectural efficiency and higher clocks compensate substantially for its core deficit.

For the Ryzen 7 5825C, there are no benchmark wins to point to, but the data reveals where it excels in context. Its average benchmark score of 3579 and 55th percentile ranking place it just 2.9% behind the EPYC's average of 3685. The Ryzen achieves this with a 15 W TDP compared to the EPYC's 170 W TDP, a massive efficiency advantage that the benchmark scores alone do not capture. The Ryzen also integrates Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which the EPYC lacks entirely, making it a more complete package for systems that do not require a discrete GPU.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different architectural generations and serve different market segments. The EPYC 7301 is built on the Zen architecture with the codename Naples, using a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries. It belongs to the EPYC 7001 series and targets the server and workstation segment. The Ryzen 7 5825C uses the Zen 3 architecture with the codename Cezanne-U, fabricated on a 7 nm process by TSMC, and targets the mobile segment.

The transistor counts and die sizes tell a story of design priorities. The EPYC packs 4,800 million transistors into a 213 mm² die, while the Ryzen integrates 10,700 million transistors into a smaller 180 mm² die. The Ryzen's higher transistor density on a more advanced process node enables its significantly higher clock speeds, with a 4.50 GHz boost compared to the EPYC's 2.70 GHz.

Cache configurations differ markedly. The EPYC 7301 provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a substantial 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Ryzen 7 5825C offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC's four times larger L3 cache is typical for a server processor handling large datasets, while the Ryzen's smaller cache reflects its mobile efficiency focus.

Memory support separates these processors further. The EPYC supports DDR4 memory over an eight-channel bus with a memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s and includes ECC memory support. The Ryzen also supports DDR4 but over a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The EPYC's memory bandwidth is over three times higher, a critical advantage for memory-intensive server workloads.

Both processors use PCIe Gen 3, but the EPYC does not list lane restrictions while the Ryzen specifies 8 lanes for the CPU only. The EPYC has an unlocked multiplier, while the Ryzen is locked. The Ryzen includes integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics; the EPYC has no integrated graphics. The release dates show the EPYC arriving on 2017-06-28 and the Ryzen on 2022-05-04, a five-year gap that explains the architectural improvements in the newer chip.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion: for raw Cinebench performance, the AMD EPYC 7301 is the winner, but only by a narrow margin. Its 6-0 record in head-to-head tests, with deltas ranging from 2.9% to 3.4%, establishes it as the faster processor in every measured workload. The EPYC's 16 cores and 32 threads, combined with its 64 MB L3 cache and eight-channel memory interface, provide the foundation for its consistent, if modest, leads.

However, the Ryzen 7 5825C's performance is remarkable given its specifications. Matching a 16-core server chip within 3% on multicore workloads while using only 8 cores and 16 threads demonstrates the efficiency of the Zen 3 architecture and the advantage of a 7 nm process. The Ryzen's 4.50 GHz boost clock, nearly double the EPYC's 2.70 GHz, allows it to overcome its core deficit in these tests.

The choice between these processors depends entirely on the use case. The EPYC 7301 suits environments where its eight-channel memory bandwidth, ECC support, and server-grade platform matter more than raw clock speeds. The Ryzen 7 5825C fits mobile or low-power systems where its 15 W TDP, integrated graphics, and compact footprint are essential. The benchmark data shows near-parity in CPU performance, so the deciding factors lie in the platform features.

For users building a server or workstation with AMD Socket SP3, the EPYC 7301 offers the performance edge and the memory bandwidth necessary for heavy workloads. For mobile or embedded applications on AMD Socket FP6, the Ryzen 7 5825C delivers comparable benchmark results with a fraction of the power consumption. The recorded data cannot declare a universal winner; it can only show that the EPYC is faster in Cinebench while the Ryzen is dramatically more efficient.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher Cinebench R23 multicore score?

A: The AMD EPYC 7301 scores 12742 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C scores 12376, giving the EPYC a 3% advantage.

Q: How do the core counts differ between these two processors?

A: The AMD EPYC 7301 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C has 8 cores and 16 threads. The EPYC has exactly double the core and thread count.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The AMD EPYC 7301 has a TDP of 170 W, while the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C has a TDP of 15 W. The Ryzen consumes significantly less power.

Q: Does the Ryzen 7 5825C include integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the AMD Ryzen 7 5825C includes Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics. The AMD EPYC 7301 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The AMD EPYC 7301 supports eight-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C supports dual-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s.

Q: Which processor has a faster boost clock?

A: The AMD Ryzen 7 5825C has a boost clock of 4.50 GHz, while the AMD EPYC 7301 has a boost clock of 2.70 GHz. The Ryzen boosts significantly higher.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7301 | AMD Ryzen 7 5825C |

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

| Cores | 16 | 8 |

| Threads | 32 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 2000.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 2.70 GHz | 4.50 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | AMD Socket FP6 |

| Architecture | Zen | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Naples | Cezanne-U |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | 10,700 million |

| Die Size | 213 mm² | 180 mm² |

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

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 16 MB (shared) |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 170.6 GB/s | 51.2 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 8 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Radeon Vega 8 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2017-06-28 | 2022-05-04 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |