AMD EPYC 7302 vs Intel Core i9-10980XE Comparison

The Intel Core i9-10980XE and AMD EPYC 7302 represent two fundamentally different approaches to high-core-count computing, yet the benchmark data shows a surprisingly consistent outcome. Across every single head-to-head test in the Cinebench suite, the AMD EPYC 7302 emerges victorious, albeit by a narrow margin of roughly 3.6% in each instance. This consistency makes the analysis straightforward: the EPYC 7302 holds a decisive, if modest, performance advantage in both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads as measured by these specific benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the head-to-head benchmark results, the AMD EPYC 7302 wins in every measured category. The data shows a clean sweep for AMD, with the EPYC 7302 taking all six Cinebench tests. There is no test in the provided data where the Intel Core i9-10980XE manages to outscore its rival. This includes both the multi-core tests, which are typically sensitive to core counts and memory bandwidth, and the single-core tests, which are more dependent on clock speed and microarchitecture efficiency.

The Intel part, despite having 18 cores and 36 threads compared to the EPYC's 16 cores and 32 threads, cannot translate its additional two cores into a performance win. The advantage in core count is effectively nullified by the AMD architecture's superior per-core performance, as evidenced by the single-core benchmark results where the EPYC 7302 also leads. For any user or workload that relies on Cinebench scores as a proxy for rendering or compute performance, the EPYC 7302 is the clear choice. The Intel i9-10980XE’s only potential saving grace would be its significantly higher boost clock (4.80 GHz vs 3.30 GHz), but the benchmark data indicates this does not translate into a real-world win in these tests.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on radically different foundations. The Intel Core i9-10980XE is a 14 nm part from Intel, using the Cascade Lake architecture (Cascade Lake-X). It is a desktop-class chip, designed for Intel Socket 2066. In contrast, the AMD EPYC 7302 is a 7 nm server/workstation part built by TSMC using the Zen 2 architecture (Rome), and it uses AMD Socket SP3. This process node difference is a major factor in the performance outcome; the 7 nm process allows AMD to pack more transistors (15,200 million) into a smaller physical footprint (4x 74 mm² dies) compared to Intel’s older 14 nm technology.

The core configurations also differ in cache layout. The Intel chip provides 1 MB of L2 cache per core and a 24.75 MB shared L3 cache. The AMD EPYC 7302 offers 512 KB of L2 per core but a much larger 32 MB of L3 per die, for a total of 128 MB of L3 cache. This massive L3 cache advantage is a key architectural feature for the EPYC. Memory support is another major divergence. The Intel i9-10980XE supports quad-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 93.9 GB/s and does not support ECC memory. The AMD EPYC 7302 supports eight-channel DDR4 memory, offering more than double the bandwidth at 204.8 GB/s, and it supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server reliability. Furthermore, the EPYC 7302 provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Intel chip offers 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. The Intel part has an unlocked multiplier, while the EPYC 7302 does not.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent, with the AMD EPYC 7302 winning each test by a nearly identical margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7302 scores 2836 against Intel's 2734, a 3.6% advantage. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern, with the EPYC 7302 at 400 points versus 385 for the Intel, a 3.7% delta. Moving to Cinebench R20, the EPYC 7302 again takes the multi-core test with 11818 points over the Intel's 11394, and the single-core test with 1668 over 1608, both for a 3.6% lead.

The trend continues into the newer Cinebench R23. In the multi-core test, the AMD EPYC 7302 scores 28140, while the Intel Core i9-10980XE manages 27130. In the single-core test, the EPYC 7302 posts 3972 versus 3830 for the Intel. Again, the deltas are 3.6% in favor of AMD. It is importantly the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.80 GHz does not help it win the single-core tests. The EPYC 7302’s lower 3.30 GHz boost clock is sufficient to overcome the frequency disadvantage, indicating a substantial IPC (instructions per clock) advantage for the Zen 2 architecture in this comparison. The Intel i9-10980XE does have a higher average benchmark score than its nearest rivals, such as the AMD EPYC 7551P, but it falls short against the EPYC 7302.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous. The AMD EPYC 7302 is the superior processor in this direct comparison for Cinebench workloads. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks by a consistent margin of approximately 3.6%, despite having fewer cores and a lower boost clock than the Intel Core i9-10980XE. The EPYC 7302's architectural advantages—namely the 7 nm process, massive 128 MB total L3 cache, and eight-channel memory support—deliver a measurable performance benefit over the Intel chip's 14 nm design and quad-channel memory.

For a desktop user building a high-end workstation where Cinebench performance is a primary metric, the AMD EPYC 7302 is the clear winner. The Intel Core i9-10980XE, being end-of-life and generating a 165W TDP with lower performance, holds no advantage in this comparison. The EPYC 7302’s support for ECC memory and its 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes also make it a more modern and capable platform for server and workstation tasks. While the Intel chip has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking, the default performance data shows it cannot match the AMD part. The EPYC 7302 is the better choice for anyone prioritizing raw compute performance as measured by these benchmarks.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-10980XE has 18 cores and 36 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7302 has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-10980XE win any benchmark in the head-to-head results?

A: No. The AMD EPYC 7302 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests (R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core).

Q: What is the performance difference in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test?

A: The AMD EPYC 7302 scores 28140, which is 3.6% higher than the Intel Core i9-10980XE's score of 27130.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD EPYC 7302 has a significantly larger total L3 cache of 128 MB, compared to the Intel Core i9-10980XE's 24.75 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Does the Intel Core i9-10980XE support ECC memory?

A: No. The Intel Core i9-10980XE does not support ECC memory, while the AMD EPYC 7302 does.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the AMD EPYC 7302?

A: The AMD EPYC 7302 has a launch MSRP of $978, while the Intel Core i9-10980XE has a launch MSRP of $1076.