AMD EPYC 7443 vs Intel Core i5-9500 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7443 has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core i5-9500 has 6 cores and 6 threads. The EPYC 7443 offers four times the core count and eight times the thread count.

Q: How do the two processors compare in single-core performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 7443 wins all single-core Cinebench tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 6802 versus 1087, a 525.8% advantage. In R20 single-core, it scores 2856 versus 456, a 526.3% lead.

Q: What is the memory configuration difference?

A: The AMD EPYC 7443 supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The Intel Core i5-9500 uses dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support.

Q: Which processor has a smaller manufacturing process?

A: The AMD EPYC 7443 is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC, while the Intel Core i5-9500 uses Intel's 14 nm process. The EPYC 7443 also has a much larger L3 cache: 128 MB shared versus 9 MB shared on the i5-9500.

Q: Does either processor include integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i5-9500 includes UHD 630 integrated graphics. The AMD EPYC 7443 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for a server/workstation processor.

Q: What is the production status of each chip?

A: The AMD EPYC 7443 is listed as Active, while the Intel Core i5-9500 is End-of-life. The EPYC 7443 was released in March 2021, and the i5-9500 was released in October 2018.

Architecture Differences

The AMD EPYC 7443 and Intel Core i5-9500 come from entirely different design philosophies and market segments. The EPYC 7443 belongs to the EPYC 7003 series, codenamed Milan, built on the Zen 3 architecture. It uses AMD Socket SP3 and is manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The i5-9500 is a Coffee Lake Refresh desktop part on Intel Socket 1151, using a 14 nm process at Intel's own foundry.

The core configuration tells the story. The EPYC 7443 packs 24 cores with 48 threads, while the i5-9500 has 6 cores and 6 threads with no hyperthreading. This is a 4x core advantage and an 8x thread advantage for the EPYC. The transistor count further illustrates the scale gap: the EPYC 7443 contains 16,600 million transistors across a 4x 81 mm² die configuration, while the i5-9500's transistor and die size data is not recorded in the database.

Cache hierarchies differ dramatically. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 per core, but the EPYC 7443 has 512 KB of L2 per core versus 256 KB on the i5-9500. The L3 cache is the biggest gap: 128 MB shared on the EPYC versus 9 MB shared on the Intel. That is over 14 times more L3 cache on the AMD part.

Memory architecture is also fundamentally different. The EPYC 7443 runs eight-channel DDR4 with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s and full ECC support. The i5-9500 runs dual-channel DDR4 with 42.7 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. In PCIe capability, the EPYC 7443 provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes from the CPU, while the i5-9500 provides Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The EPYC's launch MSRP is $2010, while the i5-9500 has no recorded launch MSRP.

The i5-9500 does include UHD 630 integrated graphics, which the EPYC lacks, but that is the only feature where the Intel part advances. The EPYC's market segment is Server/Workstation, while the i5-9500 is Desktop.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the AMD EPYC 7443, winning all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons. The margin is consistent across both multi-core and single-core tests, hovering around 525% to 528% in favor of the EPYC.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7443 scores 4856 against 776 for the i5-9500, a 525.8% delta. The R15 single-core test shows 685 versus 109, a 528.4% delta. These are the two largest percentage gaps in the dataset.

Cinebench R20 follows the same pattern. Multi-core results show 20236 for the EPYC versus 3236 for the i5, a 525.3% advantage. Single-core R20 records 2856 versus 456, a 526.3% lead.

Cinebench R23, the most recent test in the set, shows the EPYC 7443 scoring 48183 in multi-core versus 7705 for the i5-9500, a 525.3% delta. Single-core R23 gives 6802 versus 1087, a 525.8% gap.

The wins are equally decisive in relative terms. The i5-9500's best multi-core score is 7705 in R23, which is less than one-sixth of the EPYC's 48183. Even the EPYC's single-core scores (6802 in R23) exceed the i5-9500's multi-core score (7705) by a wide margin within the same test generation.

Beyond the head-to-head comparisons, the database includes additional benchmarks for the i5-9500 only. These show passmark scores such as 27574 in integer math, 23788 in floating point math, 136283 in data compression, and 3125 in data encryption. The EPYC 7443 has no passmark entries in the recorded data, so no direct comparison is possible for those tests.

The average benchmark score for the EPYC 7443 is 13936, placing it in the 68th percentile of all CPUs. The i5-9500 has an average score of 13452, also in the 68th percentile. Despite the massive Cinebench deltas, both chips land at the same percentile rank, reflecting that the EPYC's server-focused scores are normalized against a broader CPU population.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7443 | Intel Core i5-9500 |

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

| Cores | 24 | 6 |

| Threads | 48 | 6 |

| Base clock | 2.85 GHz | 3.00 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 200 W | 65 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Coffee Lake |

| Process node | 7 nm (TSMC) | 14 nm (Intel) |

| L2 cache | 512 KB per core | 256 KB per core |

| L3 cache | 128 MB shared | 9 MB shared |

| Memory bus | Eight-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 42.7 GB/s |

| ECC support | Yes | No |

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

| Integrated graphics | None | UHD 630 |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release date | 2021-03-14 | 2018-10-18 |

The clock speeds favor the i5-9500 in raw frequency: its base clock is 3.00 GHz versus 2.85 GHz, and boost is 4.30 GHz versus 4.00 GHz. However, the EPYC's architectural advantages in cache, memory bandwidth, and core count overwhelm frequency in the benchmark results.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7443 wins every recorded Cinebench test, so its advantages are broad and unambiguous. Multi-core workloads benefit the most in absolute terms: the R23 multi-core score of 48183 versus 7705 represents a 40478-point gap. This makes the EPYC 7443 the clear choice for heavily threaded rendering, simulation, or server workloads where 24 cores and 48 threads can be fully utilized.

The EPYC's eight-channel memory interface with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support positions it for memory-intensive server tasks, such as large databases or virtualized environments. The 128 MB L3 cache provides a massive pool for frequently accessed data, reducing reliance on slower main memory.

The Intel Core i5-9500's wins come from characteristics outside the benchmark sweeps. Its 65 W TDP versus 200 W means it consumes far less power, making it suitable for compact desktop builds or systems with modest cooling. The UHD 630 integrated graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic display-out scenarios.

The i5-9500 also has the higher boost clock at 4.30 GHz, which could provide a slight edge in lightly threaded, latency-sensitive tasks if the EPYC's single-core scores did not already dominate. However, the recorded data shows the EPYC 7443 beating the i5-9500 in single-core tests by over 525%, so the frequency advantage does not translate into measured performance gains.

The i5-9500 is End-of-life and targets the desktop segment, while the EPYC 7443 is Active and targets server/workstation platforms. The i5-9500's 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are adequate for a single GPU and basic expansion, whereas the EPYC's 128 Gen 4 lanes support dense I/O configurations.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is one-sided. The AMD EPYC 7443 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench comparisons with deltas ranging from 525.3% to 528.4%. No recorded test favors the Intel Core i5-9500.

For server or workstation buyers, the EPYC 7443 is the obvious choice. Its 24 cores, 48 threads, 128 MB L3 cache, eight-channel memory, and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth deliver multi-core scores that dwarf the i5-9500: 48183 versus 7705 in R23, and 20236 versus 3236 in R20. The EPYC also supports ECC memory and provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, features essential for reliable, high-throughput server operation.

For desktop users on a tight platform budget, the i5-9500 offers a lower 65 W TDP, integrated UHD 630 graphics, and a dual-channel memory setup that is simpler to build around. Its 6 cores and 6 threads are sufficient for basic desktop tasks, and its higher boost clock of 4.30 GHz suggests responsiveness in light workloads, though the recorded single-core benchmarks do not reflect an advantage.

The production status is decisive for long-term planning. The EPYC 7443 is Active, while the i5-9500 is End-of-life. Buyers seeking ongoing availability and support should favor the EPYC 7443.

The verdict from the data: the AMD EPYC 7443 is the superior processor in every measured benchmark category. The Intel Core i5-9500 remains a functional desktop chip, but it is outclassed by over 525% in all six Cinebench tests, and its only practical advantages are lower power draw, integrated graphics, and a desktop-oriented socket. Choose the EPYC 7443 for performance, scalability, and server-grade features; choose the i5-9500 only for a basic, low-power desktop build where the EPYC's platform is irrelevant.