AMD EPYC 7301 vs Intel Core i7-8086K Comparison

The Intel Core i7-8086K and AMD EPYC 7301 sit at opposite ends of the processor spectrum: one is a desktop part with a 5.00 GHz boost clock, the other a 16-core server chip. The recorded head-to-head data, however, is unambiguous. Across all six Cinebench tests in the database, the EPYC 7301 wins every round, with margins between 6.0% and 6.1%. The i7-8086K does not claim a single victory in the direct comparisons.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test opens the comparison. The EPYC 7301 scores 1284, while the i7-8086K manages 1206, a 6.1% lead for the AMD part. Single-core R15 follows the same pattern: 181 for the EPYC against 170 for the i7, again a 6.1% gap. Moving to Cinebench R20, the EPYC 7301 posts 5351 in multi-core versus 5029 for the i7, a 6.0% advantage. In R20 single-core, the EPYC scores 755, the i7 709, a 6.1% lead. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 12742 for the EPYC and 11975 for the i7, a 6.0% difference. Finally, R23 single-core gives the EPYC 1798 and the i7 1690, another 6.0% margin.

The consistency is striking. The EPYC 7301 wins both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, despite the i7-8086K's much higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz versus 2.70 GHz. The database also includes Geekbench results for the i7-8086K (7920 multi-core, 1697 single-core), but no Geekbench scores are recorded for the EPYC 7301, so a direct comparison in that suite is not possible from the available data.

The Verdict

Strictly from the recorded benchmarks, the AMD EPYC 7301 is the faster processor. It wins all six Cinebench tests, and it does so by a consistent margin of about 6%. The EPYC also brings 16 cores and 32 threads, eight-channel memory with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth, and ECC support, all of which are absent from the i7-8086K. The i7 counters with a higher boost clock, integrated UHD Graphics 630, a lower 95 W TDP, and a desktop socket, but none of those translate into a benchmark win in the head-to-head data. The i7-8086K had a launch MSRP of $425. For anyone prioritizing raw performance in the tested workloads, the EPYC 7301 is the clear choice. The i7 may appeal to users who need integrated graphics or lower power consumption, but the performance data favors the AMD part.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on the same 14 nm process node, but they diverge sharply in every other architectural dimension. The i7-8086K uses Intel's Coffee Lake architecture, while the EPYC 7301 is based on AMD's Zen (Naples) design. The i7 is a 6-core, 12-thread part with a base clock of 4.00 GHz and a boost of 5.00 GHz. The EPYC offers 16 cores and 32 threads, with a base of 2.20 GHz and a boost of 2.70 GHz. TDP ratings differ accordingly: 95 W for the i7, 170 W for the EPYC.

Cache hierarchies are also distinct. The i7 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The EPYC provides 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 64 MB of shared L3. The EPYC also has a larger die size at 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors, while the i7's die size and transistor count are not recorded.

Memory support separates the two further. The i7 uses dual-channel DDR4 with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s and no ECC. The EPYC uses eight-channel DDR4 with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. PCIe connectivity also differs: the i7 offers Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU, while the EPYC lists Gen 3 without a lane count. The i7 includes integrated UHD Graphics 630; the EPYC has no integrated graphics.

Market positioning and lifecycle are different as well. The i7 is a desktop part, released on 2018-06-04, and is now end-of-life. The EPYC is a server/workstation part, released on 2017-06-28, and remains active. Both have an unlocked multiplier, and both sit at the 56th percentile among all CPUs in the database.

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7301 has 16 cores, while the Intel Core i7-8086K has 6 cores.

Q: Which CPU has a higher boost clock?

A: The i7-8086K boosts to 5.00 GHz, compared to the EPYC 7301's 2.70 GHz.

Q: Does the EPYC 7301 support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the EPYC 7301 supports ECC memory. The i7-8086K does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The EPYC 7301 provides 170.6 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the i7-8086K offers 42.7 GB/s.

Q: Which CPU has integrated graphics?

A: The i7-8086K includes UHD Graphics 630. The EPYC 7301 has no integrated graphics.

Q: Which CPU was released more recently?

A: The i7-8086K was released on 2018-06-04, while the EPYC 7301 was released on 2017-06-28.

Where Each One Wins

In the recorded head-to-head benchmarks, the AMD EPYC 7301 wins every category. It takes all six Cinebench tests, covering both multi-core and single-core workloads, with margins of 6.0% to 6.1%. The i7-8086K does not win any of the direct comparisons. The i7 does have Geekbench scores in the database, but the EPYC has no recorded Geekbench results, so those cannot be compared.

The EPYC 7301 is the clear winner for multi-threaded server or workstation workloads, where its 16 cores, 32 threads, and eight-channel memory provide a substantial advantage. It also wins single-core Cinebench, which is notable given the i7's higher boost clock. The i7-8086K's strengths lie outside the benchmark suite: integrated graphics, a lower TDP, and a desktop socket. For users who need those features, the i7 may be the practical choice, but the performance data in the database points decisively to the EPYC 7301.