AMD EPYC 7402P vs Intel Core i7-3770 Comparison

# Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD EPYC 7402P dominates the Intel Core i7-3770 across every single benchmark in this comparison, winning all 8 head-to-head tests. This is not a close contest; the data shows a generational and architectural chasm between the two processors.

The most lopsided results appear in the Cinebench suite. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the EPYC 7402P scores 3749 against the i7-3770's 549, a delta of -85.4% from the Intel part's perspective. The single-core R15 test tells the same story: 529 for AMD versus 77 for Intel, again -85.4%. These near-identical percentage deficits repeat across Cinebench R20 and R23, with the multicore deltas at -85.3% and -85.4% respectively. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the EPYC 7402P reaches 37195 points while the i7-3770 manages only 5450. The single-core R23 score shows 5251 for AMD against 769 for Intel.

Geekbench results are less extreme but still firmly in AMD's favor. The EPYC 7402P posts 10476 in Geekbench multicore versus 2705 for the i7-3770, a -74.2% delta. The single-core gap narrows considerably: 1204 for AMD against 816 for Intel, a -32.2% delta. This single-core margin, while still a decisive AMD win, indicates that the i7-3770's Ivy Bridge architecture retains some per-thread competitiveness relative to its multicore deficit.

The EPYC 7402P's average benchmark score of 9529 places it at the 65th percentile of all CPUs, while the i7-3770's average of 9706 sits at the 66th percentile. Despite the EPYC's overwhelming head-to-head victories, the aggregate scores are remarkably close, with the i7-3770 actually holding a 1.9% edge in average score over the EPYC 7402P. This apparent contradiction stems from the i7-3770's strong showing in Passmark tests not shared in the head-to-head comparison, including Passmark single-thread at 2073, integer math at 22945, and floating point math at 11628.

# Architecture Differences

The two processors represent entirely different eras and design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-3770 is built on Ivy Bridge, a 22 nm process from Intel's own foundry, packing 1,400 million transistors into a 160 mm² die. The AMD EPYC 7402P uses Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Rome, fabricated by TSMC on a 7 nm node, with 3,800 million transistors in a 74 mm² die. The EPYC's smaller die size despite nearly three times the transistor count reflects the density advantage of the newer process node.

Core and thread counts diverge sharply. The i7-3770 offers 4 cores and 8 threads, while the EPYC 7402P provides 24 cores and 48 threads — a 6x and 6x advantage respectively. Clock speeds favor Intel on paper: the i7-3770 runs at 3.40 GHz base and 3.90 GHz boost, compared to the EPYC's 2.80 GHz base and 3.35 GHz boost. Yet the EPYC's superior single-core benchmark scores (529 vs 77 in R15 single-core) demonstrate that raw clock speed alone does not determine performance, with architectural efficiency and IPC gains from Zen 2 proving decisive.

Cache hierarchies differ fundamentally. The i7-3770 has 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core, with 8 MB shared L3. The EPYC 7402P provides 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus a massive 128 MB shared L3 — 16 times the L3 capacity of the Intel part. Memory support also diverges: the i7-3770 uses dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth, while the EPYC 7402P runs eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, an 8x increase. The EPYC also supports ECC memory; the i7-3770 does not.

PCIe connectivity shows a similar gap. The i7-3770 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes, while the EPYC 7402P offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes. The Intel part includes integrated HD 4000 graphics; the AMD chip has no integrated graphics at all. Power envelopes reflect the performance difference: the i7-3770 carries a 77 W TDP, while the EPYC 7402P draws 180 W. The i7-3770 targets the desktop market and is end-of-life, while the EPYC 7402P remains active in the server/workstation segment.

# FAQ

Q: Which processor wins in single-core performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 7402P wins every single-core benchmark. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 529 for AMD versus 77 for Intel (-85.4%), Cinebench R20 single-core shows 2205 versus 322 (-85.4%), Cinebench R23 single-core shows 5251 versus 769 (-85.4%), and Geekbench single-core shows 1204 versus 816 (-32.2%).

Q: How large is the multicore performance gap?

A: The EPYC 7402P leads by 85.3-85.4% in all Cinebench multicore tests. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the EPYC scores 37195 versus the i7-3770's 5450. Geekbench multicore shows a smaller but still substantial 74.2% gap, with scores of 10476 and 2705.

Q: Do the two CPUs have similar overall benchmark averages?

A: Yes. The i7-3770 has an average benchmark score of 9706, while the EPYC 7402P averages 9529. The i7-3770 leads by 1.9% in this metric, despite losing all eight head-to-head tests. The i7-3770's percentile ranking is 66 versus the EPYC's 65.

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: The i7-3770 supports dual-channel DDR3 with 25.6 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. The EPYC 7402P supports eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and includes ECC support. The EPYC's memory bandwidth is 8x higher.

Q: Which processor has more PCIe lanes?

A: The EPYC 7402P provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, while the i7-3770 offers only 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes. This represents an 8x increase in lane count and a generation jump in PCIe specification.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. Neither the i7-3770 nor the EPYC 7402P has an unlocked multiplier.

# Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3770 | AMD EPYC 7402P |

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

| Cores | 4 | 24 |

| Threads | 8 | 48 |

| Base Clock | 3.40 GHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.90 GHz | 3.35 GHz |

| TDP | 77 W | 180 W |

| Socket | Intel Socket 1155 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Ivy Bridge | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Ivy Bridge | Rome |

| Process Node | 22 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | 1,400 million | 3,800 million |

| Die Size | 160 mm² | 74 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB (per core) | 96 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 8 MB (shared) | 128 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR4 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 25.6 GB/s | 204.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3, 16 Lanes | Gen 4, 128 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | Intel HD 4000 | None |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Production Status | End-of-life | Active |

| Release Date | 2012-04-28 | 2019-08-06 |

| Launch MSRP | $278 | $1280 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | SR0PK | 100-000000048 |

# The Verdict

The data delivers an unambiguous verdict: the AMD EPYC 7402P is the superior processor in every measured head-to-head benchmark. It wins all 8 tests, with margins ranging from 32.2% (Geekbench single-core) to 85.4% (Cinebench R15 single-core and multicore). The EPYC's dominance is most pronounced in heavily threaded workloads, where its 24 cores and 48 threads overwhelm the i7-3770's 4 cores and 8 threads.

However, the average benchmark score tells a more nuanced story. The i7-3770 actually edges out the EPYC 7402P in aggregate performance, 9706 to 9529, and holds a higher percentile ranking (66 vs 65). This is driven by the i7-3770's strong Passmark results, including a single-thread score of 2073, integer math of 22945, and floating point math of 11628. The EPYC 7402P lacks these Passmark entries in the benchmark data, which depresses its average despite its Cinebench and Geekbench superiority.

For buyers choosing between these two, the decision hinges on workload. The EPYC 7402P is the clear choice for server, workstation, or any parallel processing scenario where multi-threaded performance matters most. Its 128 MB L3 cache, eight-channel DDR4 memory, 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, and ECC support align with enterprise demands. The i7-3770, despite being end-of-life, shows competitive per-thread performance in certain tests and carries a significantly lower TDP at 77 W versus 180 W.

# Where Each One Wins

AMD EPYC 7402P wins in every direct benchmark comparison. Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multicore tests all favor the EPYC by approximately 85%. Geekbench multicore shows a 74.2% advantage. Even in single-core tests, where the i7-3770 might be expected to compete given its higher clock speeds, the EPYC leads by 32.2% (Geekbench) to 85.4% (Cinebench). The EPYC also wins decisively on architectural features: 6x more cores, 6x more threads, 16x more L3 cache, 8x more memory bandwidth, 8x more PCIe lanes, and a newer process node (7 nm vs 22 nm).

Intel Core i7-3770 wins on aggregate average benchmark score, posting 9706 against the EPYC's 9529, a 1.9% margin. It also holds a 66th percentile ranking versus the EPYC's 65th. The i7-3770's Passmark results, where it scores 2073 in single-thread and 22945 in integer math, suggest strengths in lighter, single-threaded tasks that are not captured in the head-to-head tests. Its 77 W TDP makes it far more power-efficient on paper than the 180 W EPYC. The i7-3770 also includes integrated graphics, a feature absent from the EPYC, and uses the ubiquitous DDR3 memory standard rather than the EPYC's DDR4 requirement.

For desktop users with older platforms, the i7-3770's compatibility with Intel Socket 1155 and DDR3 may be advantageous. For server operators or those building new high-performance systems, the EPYC 7402P's Socket SP3, DDR4 support, and massive core count make it the only rational choice. The data does not support any scenario where the i7-3770 outperforms the EPYC 7402P in raw processing capability — the EPYC wins every head-to-head test — but the i7-3770's superior aggregate score and lower power draw give it a niche in legacy or power-constrained environments.