AMD EPYC 7303 vs AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX records an average benchmark score of 46654, while the AMD EPYC 7303 averages 45960. The Ryzen part sits at the 89th percentile of all CPUs, and the EPYC also sits at the 89th percentile, so both are statistically near the top of the database.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap in PassMark?

A: The Ryzen 9 7845HX scores 3935 in PassMark single-thread, which is 169.5% higher than the EPYC 7303's score of 1460. This is the largest relative difference recorded in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: Does the EPYC 7303 win any benchmark at all?

A: Yes, the EPYC 7303 wins two tests: Cinebench R15 single-core (345 vs 295, a 14.5% advantage) and Cinebench R23 single-core (3428 vs 1852, a 46% advantage). These are the only two wins for the EPYC in the recorded head-to-head data.

Q: Which processor supports more memory channels?

A: The AMD EPYC 7303 supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, while the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX supports dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s. The EPYC's memory bandwidth is substantially higher.

Q: What is the difference in PCIe support?

A: The Ryzen 9 7845HX provides PCIe Gen 5 with 28 lanes (CPU only), while the EPYC 7303 provides PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The EPYC offers far more lanes, though on an older generation.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Ryzen 9 7845HX and the EPYC 7303 have ECC memory support enabled according to the database.

Architecture Differences

The two processors represent different design philosophies from AMD. The Ryzen 9 7845HX is built on the Zen 4 architecture with the Dragon Range codename, fabricated on a 5 nm process at TSMC. The EPYC 7303 uses the older Zen 3 architecture with the Milan codename, on a 7 nm process also at TSMC. The process node difference is significant: the Ryzen part uses a more advanced 5 nm node, which contributes to its much higher clock speeds and power efficiency.

Transistor counts differ notably as well. The Ryzen 9 7845HX contains 13,140 million transistors across a dual-die design with each die measuring 71 mm². The EPYC 7303 has 8,300 million transistors on two dies of 81 mm² each. The Ryzen packs more transistors into a smaller combined die area, reflecting the denser 5 nm process.

Core and thread counts favor the EPYC on paper: the EPYC 7303 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Ryzen 9 7845HX has 12 cores and 24 threads. However, the Ryzen's clock speeds are far higher. The Ryzen has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 5.20 GHz. The EPYC runs at 2.40 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. That 1.8 GHz boost advantage for the Ryzen explains much of its single-thread dominance.

Cache configurations are similar in L3 capacity, with both processors offering 64 MB of shared L3 cache. L1 cache is identical at 64 KB per core. The L2 cache differs: the Ryzen has 1 MB per core, while the EPYC has 512 KB per core. The Ryzen's larger per-core L2 gives it an advantage in workloads that benefit from more private cache per thread.

The memory subsystem is where the EPYC clearly differentiates itself. The EPYC 7303 supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Ryzen 9 7845HX is limited to dual-channel DDR5 with 83.2 GB/s. For memory-bandwidth-intensive server workloads, the EPYC's eight-channel design provides 2.5 times the bandwidth of the Ryzen part.

PCIe connectivity also diverges sharply. The EPYC 7303 offers 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the Ryzen 9 7845HX offers 28 PCIe Gen 5 lanes. The EPYC is designed for systems that need massive I/O expansion, whereas the Ryzen targets mobile platforms with more modest expansion needs.

Power envelopes are very different. The Ryzen 9 7845HX has a TDP of 55 W, while the EPYC 7303 has a TDP of 130 W. The Ryzen achieves higher performance per watt in most benchmarks despite its lower power budget.

The Ryzen 9 7845HX includes integrated graphics (Radeon 610M) and has an unlocked multiplier, while the EPYC 7303 has no integrated graphics and a locked multiplier. The Ryzen targets mobile and compact systems where a discrete GPU may not be present.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results show a clear pattern: the Ryzen 9 7845HX dominates in nearly every workload, winning 13 of the 15 recorded comparisons. The EPYC 7303 wins only the two Cinebench single-core tests, which is surprising given the EPYC's lower clock speed, but the data is unambiguous.

Starting with multi-core Cinebench results, the Ryzen 9 7845HX scores 4320 in Cinebench R15 multicore versus 2448 for the EPYC 7303, a 76.5% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the Ryzen scores 26876 versus 24286 for the EPYC, a 10.7% lead. The Ryzen's 12 cores with high boost clocks outperform the EPYC's 16 cores with lower clocks in these rendering workloads.

The single-core results flip in favor of the EPYC. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the EPYC scores 345 versus 295 for the Ryzen, a 14.5% margin. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the EPYC scores 3428 versus 1852 for the Ryzen, a 46% advantage. This is an unusual result because the Ryzen has a much higher boost clock of 5.20 GHz versus 3.40 GHz for the EPYC. The database records these numbers as measured, and they indicate the EPYC's Zen 3 architecture delivers stronger per-clock single-thread performance in this specific test, or the Ryzen's power management limited its single-core boost during the test.

In PassMark integer math, the Ryzen 9 7845HX scores 155118 versus 113422 for the EPYC, a 36.8% lead. Floating-point math shows a larger gap: 94287 for the Ryzen versus 64940 for the EPYC, a 45.2% advantage. The Ryzen's higher clocks and newer architecture drive these results.

Data compression and encryption also favor the Ryzen decisively. The Ryzen scores 543539 in data compression versus 428319 for the EPYC, a 26.9% margin. In data encryption, the Ryzen scores 32789 versus 25167, a 30.3% lead. Extended instructions show 41020 for the Ryzen versus 31603 for the EPYC, a 29.8% advantage.

The largest single-thread margin is in PassMark single-thread, where the Ryzen scores 3935 versus 1460 for the EPYC, a 169.5% difference. This is mirrored in the PassMark singlethread test with identical scores. The Ryzen's 5.20 GHz boost clock clearly delivers exceptional single-thread performance in this benchmark.

Prime number finding shows the Ryzen at 329 versus 180 for the EPYC, an 82.8% margin. Physics simulation gives the Ryzen 2346 versus 1792, a 30.9% lead. Random string sorting shows 63223 for the Ryzen versus 42259 for the EPYC, a 49.6% edge.

The PassMark multithread test shows the Ryzen at 45010 versus 28572 for the EPYC, a 57.5% advantage. This is notable because the EPYC has more cores (16 vs 12) and more threads (32 vs 24), yet the Ryzen still wins by a wide margin. The Ryzen's higher clocks and newer architecture overcome its core-count deficit.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear conclusion for most workloads: the AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX is the stronger processor in the majority of benchmarks recorded. It wins 13 of 15 head-to-head tests, often by large margins. Its single-thread PassMark score is 169.5% higher than the EPYC's, and it leads by 76.5% in Cinebench R15 multicore. For applications that rely on integer math, floating-point math, data compression, encryption, or multithreaded throughput, the Ryzen 9 7845HX is the better choice.

The EPYC 7303 has two specific wins in Cinebench single-core tests, with a 14.5% margin in R15 and a 46% margin in R23. Users whose workloads are dominated by this specific benchmark pattern may notice the EPYC's advantage. However, the EPYC's overall average score is lower (45960 vs 46654), and its PassMark single-thread score is dramatically worse.

The EPYC 7303's strengths lie outside the benchmark suite shown here. It offers eight-channel DDR4 memory with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, and 16 cores with 32 threads. For server deployments that need massive memory bandwidth, extensive I/O expansion, or high core counts for parallel server workloads, the EPYC 7303 is designed for that role. The Ryzen 9 7845HX is a mobile processor with a 55 W TDP, integrated graphics, and an unlocked multiplier, targeting high-performance laptops and compact systems.

The Ryzen 9 7845HX is the pick for users who want maximum performance in general computing, content creation, and single-thread-sensitive applications. The EPYC 7303 is the pick for users who need a server platform with extensive memory channels, high PCIe lane counts, and a locked, stable configuration for datacenter deployment. The benchmark data favors the Ryzen, but the EPYC's platform features serve a different market segment.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX | AMD EPYC 7303 |

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

| Cores | 12 | 16 |

| Threads | 24 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 3.00 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.20 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 130 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket FL1 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Zen 4 | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Dragon Range | Milan |

| Process Node | 5 nm | 7 nm |

| Transistors | 13,140 million | 8,300 million |

| Die Size | 2x 71 mm² | 2x 81 mm² |

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

| Memory Support | DDR5 | DDR4 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 83.2 GB/s | 204.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 28 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Radeon 610M | None |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Launch MSRP | Not recorded | $604 |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2023-09-04 |