AMD EPYC 7402 vs AMD EPYC 7453 Comparison

Where Each One Wins

The head-to-head benchmark data presents a remarkably consistent picture: the AMD EPYC 7453 wins every single recorded comparison. Across all six Cinebench tests, from the older R15 through the more demanding R23, the 7453 takes the top score. The wins break down into two clear categories: multicore throughput and single-core responsiveness.

In multicore workloads, the 7453 leads by margins between 5.3% and 5.3% depending on the test version. This consistency suggests that the 7453's advantage is structural rather than workload-specific. The R15 multicore test shows the 7453 scoring 4151 against 3942 for the 7402, a 5.3% gap. The R20 multicore test repeats the pattern at 17297 versus 16426. The R23 multicore test shows 41185 versus 39110. Each of these represents the same relative advantage, which points to a fundamental difference in how the two processors execute threaded code.

Single-core performance tells a similar story. The 7453 wins the R15 single-core test with 585 points against 556, a 5.2% margin. In R20 single-core, the scores are 2441 and 2318, again a 5.3% gap. The R23 single-core test shows 5814 versus 5521, maintaining the 5.3% delta. For workloads that depend on per-thread speed, such as database query handling or latency-sensitive operations, the 7453 holds a clear edge.

The 7402 does not win any of the six recorded benchmarks. Its best showing is in the R23 multicore test, where it reaches 39110, but that still trails the 7453 by 5.3%. The 7402's average benchmark score is 11312, placing it in the 66th percentile of all CPUs in the database. The 7453 averages 11912, which puts it in the 67th percentile. The percentile gap is small, but the raw score difference is meaningful for users who need every bit of compute throughput.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7453 has 28 cores and 56 threads. The AMD EPYC 7402 has 24 cores and 48 threads.

Q: How much faster is the 7453 in multicore Cinebench R23?

A: The 7453 scores 41185 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the 7402 scores 39110. This gives the 7453 a 5.3% advantage.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory with an eight-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The 7453 has a TDP of 225 watts. The 7402 has a TDP of 180 watts.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The 7453 boosts to 3.45 GHz, while the 7402 boosts to 3.35 GHz.

Q: How does the 7453 compare to its nearest rivals in average benchmark score?

A: The 7453 averages 11912, which is essentially tied with the Intel Core i7-7700 at 11914 (a 0% delta) and slightly ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X at 12000 (a -0.7% delta).

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six recorded head-to-head comparisons all favor the 7453, and the margins are almost perfectly uniform. The largest single win for the 7453 comes in the Cinebench R15 multicore test, where it scores 4151 against 3942. That 209-point difference translates to a 5.3% advantage. The same 5.3% delta appears in R20 multicore, R20 single-core, and R23 multicore and single-core tests. The only slightly smaller margin is in R15 single-core, where the 7453 leads by 5.2%.

Looking at the actual numbers, the 7453's multicore lead is substantial. In R15, it outperforms the 7402 by 209 points. In R20, the gap widens to 871 points. In R23, the difference reaches 2075 points. These growing absolute gaps across test generations suggest that the 7453's advantage compounds as workloads become more demanding.

Single-core results follow the same trajectory but with smaller absolute differences. The R15 single-core gap is 29 points. The R20 single-core gap is 123 points. The R23 single-core gap is 293 points. Relative performance stays steady around 5.2% to 5.3%, but the absolute delta grows with each newer test version.

The 7453's average benchmark score of 11912 places it near the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X (12000, a -0.7% delta) and the Intel Xeon Gold 6314U (12026, a -0.9% delta). The 7402's average of 11312 puts it close to the AMD EPYC 7452 (11279, a 0.3% delta) and the Intel Core i5-1145G7 (11279, a 0.3% delta). Neither processor dramatically outperforms its immediate rivals, but the 7453 holds a consistent edge over the 7402 across every recorded metric.

Specification Differences

The two processors share several platform-level specifications. Both use AMD Socket SP3, support DDR4 memory, feature an eight-channel memory bus, offer 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth, support ECC memory, and provide PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). Both are also classified as Server/Workstation parts with active production status.

The differences begin with core count. The 7453 packs 28 cores and 56 threads, while the 7402 offers 24 cores and 48 threads. That is a four-core and eight-thread advantage for the newer part. Clock speeds also differ: the 7453 has a base clock of 2.75 GHz and a boost clock of 3.45 GHz, while the 7402 runs at 2.80 GHz base and 3.35 GHz boost. The 7402 starts at a slightly higher base frequency, but the 7453 reaches a higher peak frequency.

TDP is another distinguishing factor. The 7453 draws 225 watts, while the 7402 is rated at 180 watts. This 45-watt gap reflects the additional cores and higher boost capability of the 7453. Cache layouts also diverge. The 7453 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache, while the 7402 has 32 MB per die for a total of 128 MB. Both use 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core.

Release dates separate the pair by roughly 19 months. The 7402 launched on 2019-08-06, while the 7453 arrived on 2021-03-14. The part numbers are 100-000000046 for the 7402 and 100-000000319 for the 7453. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. The database lists launch MSRP values: the 7453 launched at $1570, and the 7402 launched at $1783.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two EPYC processors is significant. The 7453 belongs to the EPYC 7003 series and uses the Zen 3 architecture with the codename Milan. The 7402 is from the EPYC 7002 series and uses the Zen 2 architecture with the codename Rome. Both are built on TSMC's 7 nm process, but the transistor counts differ. The 7453 contains 16,600 million transistors spread across a die size of 4x 81 mm². The 7402 contains 15,200 million transistors on a die size of 4x 74 mm².

The cache hierarchy reflects the architectural changes. The 7453 uses a single shared L3 pool of 64 MB. The 7402 uses a per-die L3 arrangement of 32 MB per die, totaling 128 MB. This is a fundamental design shift: Zen 3 consolidates the L3 cache into a unified space, which can reduce latency for threads that share data. Zen 2 splits the cache across dies, which can increase cross-die communication overhead.

The core count difference also stems from architecture. The 7453's Zen 3 design allows 28 cores in the same socket footprint, while the 7402's Zen 2 design fits 24 cores. The newer architecture also delivers higher instructions per clock, which explains why the 7453 wins single-core benchmarks despite having a lower base clock than the 7402.

Both processors use the same memory subsystem: DDR4 with eight channels and 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. Both also share the same PCIe Gen 4 implementation with 128 lanes. The socket is identical as well. These shared platform traits mean that the performance difference comes primarily from the core architecture and cache topology, not from memory or I/O capabilities.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the AMD EPYC 7453 is the superior processor in every recorded benchmark. It wins all six head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from 5.2% to 5.3%. The 7453's average benchmark score of 11912 exceeds the 7402's 11312 by roughly 5.3%, and its 67th percentile ranking edges out the 7402's 66th percentile placement.

For workloads that emphasize multicore throughput, such as rendering, scientific computing, or heavy virtualization, the 7453 offers a consistent advantage. Its 28 cores and 56 threads outnumber the 7402's 24 cores and 48 threads, and its 64 MB shared L3 cache provides a unified pool for frequently accessed data. The 7453 also delivers higher boost clocks, reaching 3.45 GHz versus 3.35 GHz for the 7402.

For single-threaded performance, the 7453 again leads. Its Zen 3 architecture provides better per-core efficiency, and the benchmark results confirm this: the R23 single-core score of 5814 is 5.3% ahead of the 7402's 5521. Applications that rely on fast per-thread response, such as certain database engines or real-time analytics, would benefit from the 7453.

The 7402 does have one practical advantage: a lower TDP of 180 watts versus 225 watts. For power-constrained deployments, the 7402 might fit existing cooling and power budgets more easily. It also offers a larger total L3 cache of 128 MB, which could help in specific cache-heavy workloads that benefit from more aggregate capacity.

However, the benchmark record shows no scenario where the 7402 outperforms the 7453. The 7453 wins across the board, and its launch MSRP of $1570 is lower than the 7402's launch MSRP of $1783. Buyers who need maximum performance per socket should choose the 7453. Buyers who prioritize lower power draw and can accept a 5.3% performance deficit may consider the 7402, but the data offers no performance reason to prefer the older part.