AMD EPYC 7402P vs Intel Core i5-1135G7 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark comparison between the AMD EPYC 7402P and the Intel Core i5-1135G7 is decisively lopsided, with the server processor winning 7 of the 8 recorded head-to-head tests. The most striking results appear in the Cinebench suite, where the EPYC 7402P leads by margins exceeding 370% in every iteration. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC 7402P scores 37195 against the i5-1135G7's 7909, a delta of 370.3%. The single-core R23 test shows a similar pattern: 5251 versus 1116, a 370.5% advantage for the AMD part.

These massive deltas are not isolated to Cinebench. Geekbench multi-core results show the EPYC 7402P at 10476, compared to 3944 for the Intel chip, a 165.6% lead. The margin narrows significantly in single-core Geekbench, where the Intel Core i5-1135G7 takes its sole victory. The i5 scores 1417, while the EPYC 7402P manages 1204, making the Intel part 15% faster in that specific test. This single win highlights a fundamental difference: the i5-1135G7 has a higher boost clock and a newer core architecture, which translates into a slight edge in lightly threaded workloads that do not scale with core count.

The Cinebench R15 and R20 results mirror the R23 outcome almost exactly. In R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7402P scores 3749 versus 797, a 370.4% delta. The single-core R15 test shows 529 versus 112, a 372.3% gap. R20 multi-core produces 15621 against 3321, again 370.4%, and the single-core R20 test yields 2205 versus 468, a 371.2% difference. The consistency of these percentages across Cinebench versions indicates that the performance ratio is stable regardless of the workload's threading model, though the absolute scores scale with the test's complexity.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is vast, reflecting their opposite market positions. The AMD EPYC 7402P is a 24-core, 48-thread server processor built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Rome. It uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, with 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 is a 4-core, 8-thread mobile chip based on the Tiger Lake architecture (Willow Cove cores), manufactured on Intel's 10 nm process with a 144 mm² die size. The core count difference alone, 24 versus 4, explains most of the multi-threaded performance gap.

Cache hierarchies diverge sharply. The EPYC 7402P provides 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a massive 128 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-1135G7 offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and only 8 MB of shared L3. The EPYC's L3 cache is 16 times larger, which is critical for server workloads with large working sets. The Intel chip compensates with a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz versus the EPYC's 3.35 GHz, though the EPYC has a higher base clock at 2.80 GHz compared to the Intel's 1.50 GHz base.

Memory support is another stark contrast. The EPYC 7402P uses eight-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, while the i5-1135G7 uses dual-channel DDR4 or LPDDR4X with no recorded bandwidth figure. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. PCIe connectivity favors the server chip as well: the EPYC provides 128 Gen 4 lanes (CPU only), versus just 4 Gen 4 lanes on the i5. The Intel processor includes integrated Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU, while the EPYC has no integrated graphics.

Socket and market segment further separate them. The EPYC 7402P fits AMD Socket SP3 and targets server/workstation use. The i5-1135G7 uses Intel BGA 1449 and is designed for mobile laptops. Production status differs too: the EPYC is listed as active, while the i5 is end-of-life. Release dates show the EPYC launched in August 2019, with the i5 following in September 2020.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear split: the AMD EPYC 7402P is the choice for multi-threaded, server-class workloads, while the Intel Core i5-1135G7 suits single-threaded, mobile scenarios. The EPYC 7402P wins 7 of 8 head-to-head benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 165.6% in Geekbench multi-core to over 370% in all Cinebench tests. Its 24 cores and 48 threads provide raw throughput that the i5's 4 cores and 8 threads cannot match. The 128 MB of L3 cache and eight-channel memory bandwidth are built for data-heavy server tasks.

The i5-1135G7's single victory in Geekbench single-core, with a 15% lead, indicates it handles lightly threaded instructions more efficiently. Its 4.20 GHz boost clock and newer Willow Cove cores give it a per-thread advantage. However, this edge does not translate to Cinebench single-core, where the EPYC actually wins by over 370%. The discrepancy suggests that the Geekbench single-core test favors the Intel architecture's specific instruction handling, while Cinebench's rendering workload scales differently.

Average benchmark scores tell a similar story. The EPYC 7402P has an average score of 9529, compared to 9053 for the i5-1135G7. Both sit in the 65th percentile of all CPUs, indicating they are mid-pack overall, but the EPYC's average is 5.3% higher. The nearest rivals for the EPYC include the Intel Core i7-7700HQ (avg 9493, 0.4% lower) and the Intel Core i5-1035G1 (avg 9684, 1.6% higher). For the i5-1135G7, the closest competitors are the Intel Core i5-8350U (avg 8998, 0.6% lower) and the Intel Xeon Gold 6346 (avg 9155, 1.1% higher).

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7402P has 24 cores and 48 threads. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Geekbench?

A: The Intel Core i5-1135G7 scores 1417 in Geekbench single-core, which is 15% higher than the AMD EPYC 7402P's score of 1204.

Q: How much larger is the L3 cache on the EPYC 7402P?

A: The EPYC 7402P has 128 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5-1135G7 has 8 MB of shared L3, making the EPYC's cache 16 times larger.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-1135G7 support ECC memory?

A: No, the i5-1135G7 does not support ECC memory. The AMD EPYC 7402P does support ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The AMD EPYC 7402P has an average benchmark score of 9529, and the Intel Core i5-1135G7 has an average score of 9053.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-1135G7 includes Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EU. The AMD EPYC 7402P has no integrated graphics.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7402P wins in every multi-threaded benchmark category recorded. Its Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 37195 is 4.7 times higher than the i5's 7909. The same ratio holds in R20 (15621 versus 3321) and R15 (3749 versus 797). Geekbench multi-core shows a 165.6% lead, which is smaller than the Cinebench margins but still substantial. The EPYC's 48 threads and 128 MB of L3 cache make it the clear choice for rendering, compilation, scientific computing, and any workload that saturates multiple cores.

The Intel Core i5-1135G7 wins only in Geekbench single-core, scoring 1417 versus 1204. This 15% advantage reflects its higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz and the efficiency of the Willow Cove cores. For mobile users running lightly threaded applications, such as typical office productivity or web browsing, the i5 may deliver snappier per-core responsiveness. However, the i5's Cinebench single-core scores are dramatically lower (1116 versus 5251 in R23), so the Geekbench win does not generalize across all single-threaded tests.

The EPYC 7402P also wins on memory bandwidth and capacity. Its eight-channel DDR4 support provides 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, versus the i5's dual-channel setup with no recorded bandwidth. ECC support on the EPYC further suits server environments where data integrity is critical. The i5's advantages are its integrated graphics, lower TDP of 15 watts versus 180 watts, and mobile form factor via BGA 1449. The EPYC's 180 watt TDP requires substantial cooling, while the i5 is designed for thin laptops. For users prioritizing multi-threaded throughput, the EPYC 7402P is the only choice. For those needing a portable, single-thread-focused chip with graphics, the i5-1135G7 covers that niche.