AMD EPYC 7303 vs Intel Core i9-13950HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD EPYC 7303 and the Intel Core i9-13950HX shows a decisive 14 to 3 win tally in favor of Intel. The data records 17 head-to-head tests, with Intel taking the majority across both Cinebench and Passmark suites. However, the AMD processor claims three notable victories, each with distinct characteristics.

The most striking Intel win comes in the Passmark single-thread tests, where the Core i9-13950HX scores 3899 against the EPYC 7303's 1460, a delta of -62.6%. This is the largest performance gap recorded in either direction. The Cinebench R15 multicore test also shows a substantial Intel advantage, with scores of 4529 versus 2448, representing a -45.9% delta. Floating point math follows closely, with Intel scoring 105553 to AMD's 64940, a -38.5% difference. The Passmark multithread test shows Intel ahead by -31.3%, scoring 41614 against 28572. Physics performance favors Intel by -32.8%, with 2668 versus 1792. Integer math shows Intel at 147091 versus 113422, a -22.9% gap. Data compression favors Intel at 510258 versus 428319 (-16.1%), and data encryption shows Intel at 30805 versus 25167 (-18.3%). Random string sorting goes to Intel at 57274 versus 42259 (-26.2%), while find prime numbers favors Intel at 203 versus 180 (-11.3%). Cinebench R20 multicore shows Intel at 14462 versus 10200 (-29.5%), and R20 singlecore also favors Intel at 2041 versus 1439 (-29.5%). Cinebench R23 multicore rounds out the Intel wins at 28681 versus 24286 (-15.3%).

The AMD EPYC 7303 claims its three wins in tests that highlight its architecture strengths. The largest AMD win comes in Cinebench R23 singlecore, where the EPYC scores 3428 against Intel's 2096, a delta of 63.5%. This is a substantial margin, showing the Zen 3 core efficiency in lightly threaded workloads. Cinebench R15 singlecore goes to AMD at 345 versus 297, a 16.2% advantage. Extended instructions favor AMD at 31603 versus 29779, a 6.1% margin, the narrowest win recorded in either direction.

The overall average benchmark scores place the EPYC 7303 at 45960 with a percentile rank of 89 among all CPUs, while the Core i9-13950HX averages 44342 with a percentile rank of 88. The nearest rivals to the EPYC include the Intel Core i7-14700HX at 45953 (0% delta), the AMD EPYC 4364P at 45970 (0% delta), the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 375 at 46030 (-0.2% delta), and the Intel Core Ultra 5 235 at 46062 (-0.2% delta). The Core i9's nearest competitors include the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 at 44309 (0.1% delta), the Intel Core i5-13600 at 44240 (0.2% delta), the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H at 44466 (-0.3% delta), and the AMD Ryzen 5 7500X3D at 44573 (-0.5% delta).

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The AMD EPYC 7303 is built on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Milan, and belongs to the EPYC 7003 series. It uses a 7 nm process node from TSMC, with 8,300 million transistors spread across a 2x 81 mm² die configuration. The Intel Core i9-13950HX uses the Raptor Lake architecture, codenamed Raptor Lake-HX, from the Core 13th Gen series. It operates on a 10 nm process node from Intel with a 257 mm² die size.

Core and thread counts differ significantly. The EPYC 7303 provides 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Core i9-13950HX provides 24 cores and 32 threads. Both processors support 32 threads, but Intel distributes them across more physical cores. The EPYC's 16 cores all run at a base clock of 2.40 GHz and boost to 3.40 GHz. The Core i9 has a lower base clock of 2.20 GHz but a much higher boost clock of 5.50 GHz, explaining its single-thread dominance. The TDP figures are starkly different: the EPYC 7303 draws 130 watts, while the Core i9-13950HX is rated at 55 watts. This reflects their different market segments, server versus mobile.

Cache hierarchies also diverge. The EPYC 7303 features 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i9-13950HX has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 2 MB of L2 cache per core, and 36 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC's larger L3 pool suits its server workload profile, while Intel's larger per-core L2 cache helps feed its higher clock speeds.

Memory support separates the two clearly. The EPYC 7303 uses DDR4 memory with an eight-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The Core i9-13950HX supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus, and the database does not record a memory bandwidth figure for it. Both processors support ECC memory. PCIe connectivity also differs: the EPYC 7303 offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes, while the Core i9-13950HX offers Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The EPYC is designed for server and workstation sockets, using AMD Socket SP3, whereas the Core i9 uses Intel BGA 1964 for mobile applications. The Core i9 includes integrated graphics with UHD Graphics 770, while the EPYC 7303 has no integrated graphics. The EPYC has a locked multiplier, while the Core i9 has an unlocked multiplier. The EPYC launched on September 4, 2023, at a launch MSRP of $604, while the Core i9 launched on January 3, 2023, at a launch MSRP of $590.

The Verdict

The recorded benchmark data shows that the Intel Core i9-13950HX is the stronger performer in the majority of tested workloads, taking 14 of 17 head-to-head comparisons. Its wins span multicore rendering, math operations, compression, encryption, and single-thread performance. The Passmark single-thread score of 3899 versus 1460 represents a 62.6% lead, and the Cinebench R15 multicore score of 4529 versus 2448 shows a 45.9% advantage. For users whose workloads align with these tests, the Core i9 is the data-backed choice.

The AMD EPYC 7303 wins three tests: Cinebench R23 singlecore with a 63.5% margin, Cinebench R15 singlecore with a 16.2% margin, and extended instructions with a 6.1% margin. These wins are concentrated in specific areas, particularly the newer Cinebench R23 single-thread test and instruction-heavy workloads. The EPYC also has the higher overall average benchmark score at 45960 compared to 44342, and a higher percentile rank at 89 versus 88. This suggests that across a broader spectrum of benchmarks not covered in the head-to-head list, the EPYC holds a slight aggregate edge.

The choice depends on workload priorities. The Core i9 dominates in most measured categories, but the EPYC wins where it wins by large margins. The 63.5% lead in Cinebench R23 singlecore is the largest single win for either processor, and it indicates that the EPYC's Zen 3 cores are highly efficient in certain single-threaded scenarios despite their lower clock speeds. The EPYC also offers advantages in platform features: eight-channel memory, 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, and 64 MB of L3 cache. The Core i9 counters with 24 cores, a 5.50 GHz boost clock, DDR5 support, and integrated graphics. The data does not support a universal winner; it supports picking each processor for the workloads where it demonstrably leads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7303 | Intel Core i9-13950HX |

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

| Cores | 16 | 24 |

| Threads | 32 | 32 |

| Base Clock | 2.40 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 5.50 GHz |

| TDP | 130 W | 55 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Raptor Lake |

| Codename | Milan | Raptor Lake-HX |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 8,300 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 2x 81 mm² | 257 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | Yes |

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

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $604 | $590 |

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-13950HX has 24 cores, while the AMD EPYC 7303 has 16 cores. Both processors support 32 threads.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin between the two?

A: The AMD EPYC 7303 leads by 63.5% in Cinebench R23 singlecore, scoring 3428 against the Core i9's 2096. The Intel processor's largest margin is 62.6% in Passmark single-thread, scoring 3899 versus 1460.

Q: Which processor has the higher average benchmark score?

A: The AMD EPYC 7303 has an average benchmark score of 45960, compared to the Intel Core i9-13950HX at 44342. The EPYC also holds a higher percentile rank at 89 versus 88.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both the AMD EPYC 7303 and the Intel Core i9-13950HX support ECC memory.

Q: What are the memory channel configurations?

A: The AMD EPYC 7303 uses an eight-channel memory bus with DDR4 support and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Intel Core i9-13950HX uses a dual-channel memory bus with support for both DDR4 and DDR5.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i9-13950HX includes UHD Graphics 770. The AMD EPYC 7303 has no integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i9-13950HX wins in the majority of direct comparisons, making it the default choice for general-purpose high-performance computing based on this data. Its wins cover Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests, meaning it handles multithreaded rendering workloads better. It also wins in Passmark floating point math, integer math, multithread, physics, data compression, data encryption, random string sorting, and find prime numbers. The single-thread Passmark tests also go to Intel. This collection of wins points to strengths in scientific computing, data processing, and everyday productivity tasks where clock speed matters.

The AMD EPYC 7303 wins in three specific areas. The Cinebench R23 singlecore result with a 63.5% margin suggests the Zen 3 architecture is particularly efficient in this newer single-threaded test, which may indicate better instruction scheduling or power management in certain conditions. The Cinebench R15 singlecore win at 16.2% reinforces this pattern of single-thread strength in Cinebench tests specifically. The extended instructions win at 6.1% shows the EPYC handles specialized instruction sets well. For workloads that rely heavily on Cinebench-style single-threaded rendering or extended instruction processing, the EPYC is the data-backed pick.

The platform-level differences also influence use cases. The EPYC 7303 offers 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and eight-channel memory, making it suited for server and workstation environments with heavy I/O demands. The Core i9-13950HX offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes and DDR5 support, suited for mobile workstation laptops where the 55 watt TDP allows for thinner designs. The EPYC's 130 watt TDP requires more robust cooling, while the Core i9's lower TDP enables mobile deployment. The Core i9 includes integrated graphics, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic display scenarios. The EPYC's 64 MB L3 cache versus the Core i9's 36 MB suggests better cache-sensitive workload performance for the AMD chip. The Core i9's 24 cores and 5.50 GHz boost clock make it the stronger raw throughput option in most measured tests, while the EPYC's 16 cores and 3.40 GHz boost clock win where its architecture excels.