AMD EPYC 7402P vs Intel Core i7-8650U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents an unusual comparison: a 24-core server processor facing a 4-core mobile chip. The results are starkly one-sided, with the AMD EPYC 7402P winning all six recorded head-to-head tests. The database shows a clean sweep: 6 wins for AMD, 0 for Intel.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7402P scores 3749 against the Core i7-8650U's 529, a delta of 608.7% in favor of AMD. The single-core test tells a similar story: 529 versus 74, a 614.9% advantage. These are not marginal gaps; the EPYC is roughly seven times faster in both metrics.

Moving to Cinebench R20, the pattern holds. Multi-core shows 15621 for AMD versus 2206 for Intel, a 608.1% difference. Single-core sees 2205 against 311, a 609% delta. The consistency across these tests is notable: every generation of Cinebench produces nearly identical percentage advantages, suggesting the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

Cinebench R23 confirms the trend with multi-core scores of 37195 and 5253 (608.1% delta) and single-core scores of 5251 and 741 (608.6% delta). The near-uniform deltas across R15, R20, and R23 indicate that the architectural and core-count differences scale predictably with render workload intensity.

What the data suggests is that the EPYC 7402P does not merely outperform in multi-threaded scenarios, it also dominates in single-threaded tests. This is surprising given the Core i7-8650U's higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz compared to the EPYC's 3.35 GHz. Despite the clock disadvantage, the Zen 2 architecture delivers superior single-core results, implying IPC (instructions per clock) advantages that outweigh the raw frequency deficit.

The Verdict

The database positions these processors in entirely different segments, and the benchmark data confirms this. The AMD EPYC 7402P sits at the 65th percentile of all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 9529. The Intel Core i7-8650U also holds the 65th percentile but with a lower average score of 8932. Both are mid-pack performers by percentile, yet their absolute scores diverge meaningfully.

For users choosing between these two, the decision is dictated by use case, not raw performance. The EPYC 7402P is a server/workstation part with 24 cores, 48 threads, and eight-channel memory support. The Core i7-8650U is a mobile processor with integrated UHD 620 graphics, designed for power efficiency with a 15 W TDP.

The data indicates that the EPYC 7402P is the clear choice for any workload that can utilize multiple cores: compilation, rendering, virtualization, or database operations. Its nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i7-7700HQ (0.4% higher average score), Intel Atom x7835RE (1.1% higher), and Intel Xeon Platinum 8180 (1.3% higher), with the Intel Core i5-1035G1 trailing by 1.6%. This places it in a competitive server-class bracket.

The Core i7-8650U, meanwhile, sits near the Intel Xeon Gold 6330 (0.1% lower), Intel Core i5-8350U (0.7% lower), and Intel Core i5-1135G7 (1.3% lower). Its performance profile is typical for a 15 W mobile chip, adequate for everyday tasks but not for sustained heavy compute.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7402P wins every recorded benchmark in this comparison, but the interpretation requires nuance. The Cinebench suite measures rendering performance, which scales almost linearly with core count and thread availability. With 48 threads versus 8, the EPYC's advantage in multi-core tests is expected. What is more revealing is the single-core dominance, where the EPYC leads by roughly 600% despite the Intel part's higher boost clock.

The EPYC's strengths lie in server workloads. Its 128 MB of shared L3 cache, 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth, and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes make it suitable for large-scale data processing, virtual machine hosting, and high-throughput computing. The 7 nm process node from TSMC and 3,800 million transistors suggest a modern, dense design.

The Core i7-8650U has no benchmark wins here, but its role is different. As a mobile part with integrated graphics, it serves compact laptops and ultrabooks where the EPYC cannot physically fit. Its 14 nm process and 123 mm² die size indicate a mature, power-optimized design. The 15 W TDP versus 180 W TDP is a fundamental differentiator: the Intel chip can operate in thermally constrained environments, while the AMD chip requires robust cooling and a server platform.

The data implies that the Core i7-8650U wins in portability and power efficiency, though these attributes are not captured in the Cinebench scores. Its Passmark results (not compared head-to-head) show a single-thread score of 2103 and a multithread score of 6193, which are reasonable for a mobile chip but far below the EPYC's capabilities.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7402P has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core i7-8650U has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The EPYC 7402P scores 37195, and the Core i7-8650U scores 5253, giving AMD a 608.1% advantage.

Q: Does the Intel processor have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the Core i7-8650U includes Intel UHD 620 integrated graphics. The EPYC 7402P has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory configurations do these support?

A: Both support DDR4 memory. The EPYC 7402P has an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The Core i7-8650U has no recorded memory bus or bandwidth data and lacks ECC support.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-8650U has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, which is higher than the EPYC 7402P's 3.35 GHz. Despite this, the EPYC wins all single-core benchmarks.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, the database lists both the AMD EPYC 7402P and Intel Core i7-8650U as "Active" in production status.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these processors is fundamental. The EPYC 7402P uses AMD's Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Rome, built on a 7 nm process at TSMC with 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. This is a modern, dense server design with a shared 128 MB L3 cache and per-core L1 (96 KB) and L2 (512 KB) caches.

The Core i7-8650U uses Intel's Kaby Lake architecture, specifically Kaby Lake-R, on a 14 nm process at Intel with a larger 123 mm² die. Its cache hierarchy is more modest: 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The process node difference (7 nm versus 14 nm) explains part of the performance and efficiency gap, though the EPYC's larger cache and core count are equally significant.

The EPYC supports PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), which is critical for high-bandwidth peripherals in servers. The Core i7-8650U has no recorded PCIe specification, indicating a less expandable platform. Memory support also diverges: the EPYC offers eight-channel DDR4 with ECC, while the Core i7-8650U supports DDR4 without ECC and lacks recorded memory bandwidth data.

The socket types are incompatible: AMD Socket SP3 for the EPYC, Intel BGA 1356 for the Core i7. This means motherboard choice is dictated by the processor, not user preference. The EPYC's 180 W TDP requires server-class cooling, while the Core i7-8650U's 15 W TDP suits passive or low-profile coolers in thin laptops.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7402P | Intel Core i7-8650U |

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

| Cores | 24 | 4 |

| Threads | 48 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 1900.00 MHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.35 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 180 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel BGA 1356 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Kaby Lake |

| Codename | Rome | Kaby Lake-R |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 123 mm² |

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

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

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

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Not recorded |

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

| ECC Support | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) | Not recorded |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD 620 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2019-08-06 | 2017-08-20 |

| Launch MSRP | $1280 | Not recorded |

| Part Number | 100-000000048 | SR3L8 |

The release dates show two years of architectural progress: the EPYC launched in August 2019, while the Core i7-8650U arrived in August 2017. The EPYC's launch MSRP of $1280 reflects its server positioning, though the Core i7 has no recorded launch price. Both are locked multipliers, preventing overclocking.

The transistor count disparity (3,800 million for AMD versus no recorded figure for Intel) and die size difference (74 mm² versus 123 mm²) highlight the efficiency of the 7 nm process: more transistors packed into a smaller area. The EPYC's 128 MB L3 cache dwarfs the Core i7's 8 MB, which is crucial for large datasets that exceed the smaller cache capacity.