AMD EPYC 7351 vs Intel Core i9-13900TE Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7351 and Intel Core i9-13900TE present a fascinating contrast in design philosophy, with the former being a 14 nm server processor from 2017 and the latter a 10 nm desktop chip from 2023. Despite the six-year gap and the Intel chip’s higher core count, the recorded benchmark data shows a consistent, uniform advantage for the AMD EPYC 7351 across every Cinebench test, with a margin of 6.9% in each instance. The following analysis examines the architecture, specifications, and performance data to determine which processor wins in specific workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900TE has 24 cores, while the AMD EPYC 7351 has 16 cores. Both processors have 32 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The AMD EPYC 7351 wins all multi-core tests by exactly 6.9%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC scores 19742 versus the Core i9-13900TE’s 18472.

Q: Does the AMD EPYC 7351 also win single-core tests?

A: Yes, the AMD EPYC 7351 wins every single-core test by the same 6.9% margin. For example, in Cinebench R20 single-core, it scores 1170 against 1094 for the Intel Core i9-13900TE.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i9-13900TE has a boost clock of 5.00 GHz, which is significantly higher than the AMD EPYC 7351’s 2.90 GHz boost clock.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Both the AMD EPYC 7351 and the Intel Core i9-13900TE support ECC memory.

Q: What are the power consumption levels?

A: The AMD EPYC 7351 has a TDP of 170 watts, while the Intel Core i9-13900TE has a TDP of 35 watts.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is stark. The AMD EPYC 7351 uses the Zen architecture on a 14 nm process node, fabricated by GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors. Its codename is Naples, and it belongs to the EPYC 7001 series, targeting the server and workstation market segment. The Intel Core i9-13900TE is built on the Raptor Lake architecture, specifically Raptor Lake-S, using a 10 nm process node from Intel’s own foundry, with a die size of 257 mm². It is part of the Core 13th Gen series and is designed for desktop systems.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The AMD EPYC 7351 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a massive 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The Intel Core i9-13900TE 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 cache is characteristic of server processors designed to handle large datasets, while the Core i9’s larger L2 cache per core reflects a desktop-oriented design for lower latency access.

Memory support also diverges. The AMD EPYC 7351 supports DDR4 memory with an eight-channel memory bus, providing a memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. The Intel Core i9-13900TE supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but with a dual-channel memory bus, and no memory bandwidth figure is recorded in the database. The EPYC’s eight-channel configuration gives it a massive bandwidth advantage for memory-intensive server workloads, while the Core i9’s dual-channel setup is typical for consumer platforms.

Another key difference is PCIe support. The AMD EPYC 7351 provides PCIe Gen 3, while the Intel Core i9-13900TE offers PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The Core i9 also includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, whereas the EPYC 7351 has no integrated graphics, which is standard for server processors that rely on discrete GPUs or are used in headless configurations. The AMD chip has an unlocked multiplier, while the Intel chip is locked.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent: the AMD EPYC 7351 wins all six recorded Cinebench tests, each with a delta of exactly 6.9%. This uniformity suggests a fundamental performance advantage that scales equally across single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads, rather than a specific architectural strength.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7351 scores 1989 against 1861 for the Core i9-13900TE, a 6.9% lead. The single-core R15 test shows the same margin, with 280 versus 262. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core scores are 8291 for the EPYC and 7758 for the Core i9, again a 6.9% difference. The R20 single-core test yields 1170 versus 1094.

The most recent test, Cinebench R23, reinforces the pattern. The EPYC 7351 achieves 19742 in multi-core, while the Core i9-13900TE scores 18472. In single-core R23, the scores are 2787 and 2607, respectively. Across all tests, the AMD processor maintains the same relative advantage, indicating that its older Zen architecture, combined with a higher TDP of 170 watts versus 35 watts, delivers superior sustained performance in these render workloads.

The average benchmark score for the EPYC 7351 is 5710, placing it at the 61st percentile of all CPUs. The Core i9-13900TE has an average score of 5342, at the 60th percentile. The EPYC’s nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7F32 (average score 5703, delta 0.1%), the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2920X (5730, delta -0.4%), and the Intel Core i9-7920X (5673, delta 0.7%). The Core i9-13900TE’s rivals are the Intel Core i9-10900KF (5316, delta 0.5%), the AMD EPYC 7281 (5315, delta 0.5%), and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1920X (5306, delta 0.7%).

Specification Differences

The specification sheets reveal a wide gulf in design targets. The AMD EPYC 7351 has 16 cores and 32 threads, while the Intel Core i9-13900TE has 24 cores and 32 threads. The base clock of the EPYC is 2.40 GHz, whereas the Core i9’s base clock is recorded as 1000.00 MHz, which is an unusual figure that likely reflects an efficiency-oriented base frequency. The boost clocks are 2.90 GHz for the EPYC and 5.00 GHz for the Core i9, a substantial difference favoring Intel.

The TDP values are polar opposites: 170 watts for the EPYC versus 35 watts for the Core i9. The socket types differ as well, with the EPYC using AMD Socket SP3 and the Core i9 using Intel Socket 1700. The process nodes are 14 nm for AMD and 10 nm for Intel. The EPYC has a die size of 213 mm², while the Core i9 is larger at 257 mm². The EPYC’s transistor count is listed as 4,800 million, while the Core i9’s is not recorded.

Cache configurations differ significantly. The EPYC has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The Core i9 has 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. Memory support shows the EPYC with DDR4 and eight-channel bus, while the Core i9 supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus. The EPYC lists a memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s, while the Core i9 has no recorded bandwidth. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe versions differ: the EPYC uses Gen 3, while the Core i9 uses Gen 5 with 16 CPU lanes. The Core i9 includes integrated UHD Graphics 770, whereas the EPYC has none. The market segments are server/workstation for AMD and desktop for Intel. The release dates are June 28, 2017 for the EPYC and January 3, 2023 for the Core i9. The multiplier is unlocked on the EPYC but locked on the Core i9. Part numbers are PS7351BEVGPAF for AMD and SRMG1 for Intel.

The Verdict

The recorded data points to a clear conclusion: the AMD EPYC 7351 outperforms the Intel Core i9-13900TE in every benchmark recorded, despite having fewer cores, a lower boost clock, and older architecture. The 6.9% advantage is uniform across all Cinebench versions, which is a strong indicator of consistent performance superiority. The EPYC’s higher TDP of 170 watts, compared to the Core i9’s 35 watts, likely explains this result, as it allows for sustained high-power operation that the desktop chip cannot match.

For users prioritizing raw rendering performance, the AMD EPYC 7351 is the better choice based on the database scores. Its 19742 multi-core score in Cinebench R23 is 6.9% higher than the Core i9-13900TE’s 18472. The single-core scores also favor AMD, with 2787 versus 2607 in R23. The EPYC’s 61st percentile ranking versus the Core i9’s 60th percentile is a marginal difference, but the actual benchmark deltas are more meaningful.

The Intel Core i9-13900TE does offer advantages in other domains, such as a much higher boost clock of 5.00 GHz, a newer 10 nm process, PCIe Gen 5 support, integrated graphics, and dramatically lower power consumption. However, in the specific Cinebench tests recorded, these features do not translate into higher scores. The verdict is that the AMD EPYC 7351 is the stronger performer in the recorded benchmarks.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7351 wins in all recorded rendering benchmarks, both multi-core and single-core. This includes Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, with scores of 1989, 8291, and 19742 in multi-core, and 280, 1170, and 2787 in single-core, respectively. Its eight-channel memory bus, with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth, and 64 MB L3 cache are well-suited for server workloads that demand high memory throughput. The unlocked multiplier also provides flexibility for overclocking in compatible server platforms.

The Intel Core i9-13900TE, while losing every benchmark, has clear strengths in other areas. Its 5.00 GHz boost clock is far higher than the EPYC’s 2.90 GHz, which could benefit lightly threaded tasks that are not captured in the Cinebench suite. The 24 cores and 32 threads provide a high core count for parallel workloads, even if the Cinebench results do not reflect an advantage. The 35 watt TDP makes it suitable for power-constrained or fanless desktop builds, where energy efficiency is a priority. The integrated UHD Graphics 770 eliminates the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. PCIe Gen 5 support offers future-proofing for high-speed storage and GPUs, and the dual-channel DDR5 support enables newer memory technology.

The EPYC 7351 is the clear winner for compute-heavy render tasks, as evidenced by the data. The Core i9-13900TE is a more versatile desktop processor, but in the measured benchmarks, it trails the EPYC by 6.9% across the board. Users who need maximum Cinebench performance should choose the AMD EPYC 7351, while those who prioritize low power consumption, high boost clocks, integrated graphics, and modern PCIe connectivity may prefer the Intel Core i9-13900TE, despite its lower benchmark scores.