AMD EPYC 7303 vs Intel Core i9-13900HX Comparison

The Intel Core i9-13900HX and AMD EPYC 7303 occupy different worlds—one is a mobile powerhouse, the other a server workhorse—yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The data shows a clear split: the Intel chip wins 14 of 17 head-to-head comparisons, but the AMD processor claims victory in the most important single-threaded test and offers a vastly different architectural foundation. This is not a contest of equals, but a study in how different designs achieve similar overall results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Intel Core i9-13900HX dominates the multi-core and throughput-oriented tests with decisive margins. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 4494.5 against AMD’s 2448, a massive 83.6% advantage. The gap narrows in Cinebench R20 multi-core, but Intel still wins by 45.5% (14836 vs 10200). Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the smallest multi-core gap at 14.9%, with Intel scoring 27900 against AMD’s 24286. These results indicate that Intel’s 24-core configuration provides a substantial scaling advantage in heavily threaded workloads.

The PassMark suite reinforces Intel’s dominance in raw computational throughput. The i9-13900HX leads in floating-point math by 70.1% (110470 vs 64940), integer math by 37.7% (156175 vs 113422), and multithread performance by 50.7% (43062 vs 28572). Data compression shows a 24% lead (531224 vs 428319), while data encryption favors Intel by 27.7% (32130 vs 25167). Random string sorting is 40.1% faster on Intel (59199 vs 42259), and physics calculations show a 47.6% advantage (2645 vs 1792). Even prime number finding, a niche test, goes to Intel by 5.6% (190 vs 180).

The single-threaded picture flips dramatically. In PassMark single-thread, Intel scores 4081 against AMD’s 1460—an extraordinary 179.5% lead for Intel. However, the Cinebench R23 single-core test tells the opposite story: AMD wins with 3428 against Intel’s 2056, a 40% deficit for the i9. Similarly, Cinebench R15 single-core favors AMD at 345 vs 296, a 14.2% margin. The one exception among Cinebench single-core tests is R20, where Intel wins 2094 vs 1439, also a 45.5% margin. This inconsistency suggests that the two chips respond very differently to specific instruction mixes and workload characteristics.

AMD’s only other win comes in extended instructions, where it edges Intel by 3.3% (31603 vs 30550). Across all 17 head-to-head benchmarks, Intel wins 14, AMD wins 3. Yet the average benchmark scores are nearly identical: Intel at 46098, AMD at 45960. This near-parity in averages despite such lopsided head-to-head results indicates that the benchmarks are weighted heavily toward the tests where Intel’s advantages are largest.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. Intel uses a 10 nm process from its own foundry, producing a 257 mm² die. AMD uses TSMC’s 7 nm process with a dual-die design measuring 2x 81 mm², totaling 162 mm², and packing 8,300 million transistors. The node difference explains part of the thermal and efficiency gap, but the core designs diverge even more sharply.

Intel’s Raptor Lake-HX architecture features 24 cores and 32 threads, with 80 KB of L1 cache per core and 2 MB of L2 per core. The shared L3 cache totals 36 MB. AMD’s Zen 3 Milan design offers 16 cores and 32 threads, with smaller per-core caches: 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2. However, AMD compensates with a much larger shared L3 cache of 64 MB, nearly double Intel’s. This cache difference helps explain why AMD performs better in certain single-threaded and instruction-heavy tests.

Memory architecture also separates them. Intel supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, while AMD is limited to DDR4 but uses an eight-channel configuration with a documented memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. Intel provides no listed memory bandwidth figure, but the dual-channel layout suggests a lower ceiling. For PCIe, Intel offers Gen 5 with 20 CPU lanes, while AMD provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes—a massive difference in I/O capability reflecting their intended markets.

The Intel chip includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, while AMD has no integrated graphics. Intel’s TDP is 55 watts, AMD’s is 130 watts. Intel’s base clock is 2.20 GHz with a boost of 5.40 GHz; AMD runs at 2.40 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost. Intel’s multiplier is unlocked, AMD’s is locked. Both support ECC memory, both are currently in active production, and both launched in 2023—Intel in January, AMD in September.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: Intel has 24 cores and 32 threads. AMD has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Q: Why does AMD win Cinebench R23 single-core despite losing other single-thread tests?

A: AMD scores 3428 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while Intel scores 2056. However, in PassMark single-thread, Intel scores 4081 versus AMD’s 1460. The results indicate workload-specific responsiveness to each architecture.

Q: What is the L3 cache difference?

A: Intel provides 36 MB shared L3. AMD provides 64 MB shared L3, which is nearly double.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i9-13900HX and AMD EPYC 7303 have ECC memory support.

Q: Which processor has higher boost clock?

A: Intel boosts to 5.40 GHz, while AMD boosts to 3.40 GHz.

Q: What is the TDP difference?

A: Intel has a 55-watt TDP. AMD has a 130-watt TDP, more than double Intel’s.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear verdict for most users: the Intel Core i9-13900HX is the better performer in the majority of tested workloads. It wins 14 of 17 head-to-head benchmarks, with particularly large margins in multi-core, math-heavy, and data-processing tasks. Its 83.6% lead in Cinebench R15 multi-core and 70.1% advantage in floating-point math demonstrate a significant throughput advantage that would benefit any compute-intensive application.

The AMD EPYC 7303 is not without merit. Its 40% win in Cinebench R23 single-core and 3.3% lead in extended instructions show that it has specific strengths. More importantly, its eight-channel DDR4 memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes make it a vastly superior I/O platform for server workloads. The 64 MB L3 cache also provides an advantage in cache-sensitive applications.

For mobile computing, gaming laptops, or workstation-class tasks where multi-threaded performance and high boost clocks matter, the Intel chip is the superior choice. For server deployments where memory bandwidth, I/O expansion, and dense multi-socket configurations are critical, the AMD processor offers capabilities the Intel chip simply cannot match. The average benchmark scores are nearly tied, but the underlying architectures serve fundamentally different purposes.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i9-13900HX | AMD EPYC 7303 |

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

| Cores | 24 | 16 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 5.40 GHz | 3.40 GHz |

| TDP | 55 W | 130 W |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Die Size | 257 mm² | 2x 81 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 2 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 36 MB (shared) | 64 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 204.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 20 Lanes | Gen 4, 128 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 770 | None |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1964 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Launch MSRP | $668 | $604 |

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13900HX wins in scenarios that demand high multi-threaded throughput. Its 24 cores and 32 threads deliver a 50.7% lead in PassMark multithread and a 45.5% advantage in Cinebench R20 multi-core. Data-intensive tasks favor Intel: compression is 24% faster, encryption is 27.7% faster, and integer math is 37.7% faster. The 179.5% margin in PassMark single-thread also makes it the choice for lightly threaded applications that respond to raw clock speed. Its 5.40 GHz boost clock and unlocked multiplier suggest headroom for performance tuning.

The AMD EPYC 7303 wins where I/O and memory bandwidth are paramount. Its eight-channel DDR4 memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes make it the preferred platform for servers handling large data sets, virtualization, or storage workloads. The 64 MB L3 cache and 3.3% lead in extended instructions point to advantages in specific compute tasks. Its 40% win in Cinebench R23 single-core also indicates strength in certain single-threaded server operations. With a 130-watt TDP, it is designed for sustained server operation rather than mobile efficiency.