AMD EPYC 7452 vs AMD EPYC 9224 Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7452 and AMD EPYC 9224 are both active server/workstation processors, yet the benchmark data reveals a surprising outcome: the older EPYC 7452, built on the Zen 2 architecture, edges out the newer Zen 4-based EPYC 9224 across every Cinebench test in this comparison. While the EPYC 9224 boasts a newer process node, higher clock speeds, and faster memory support, the EPYC 7452 consistently holds a lead, albeit a narrow one, in all six measured benchmarks. The data indicates a near-tie in raw compute performance, with the EPYC 7452’s higher core count proving decisive in multi-threaded workloads and its slightly higher single-core scores giving it a clean sweep of the head-to-head results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite shows a consistent pattern: the AMD EPYC 7452 wins every single benchmark, but by margins so small they are nearly within run-to-run variance. In the multi-core tests, the EPYC 7452 scores 3,930 in Cinebench R15 versus 3,874 for the EPYC 9224, a delta of just 1.4%. That margin repeats almost exactly in Cinebench R20, where the 7452 posts 16,377 against the 9224’s 16,144, again a 1.4% advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 7452 scores 38,993 compared to 38,439, a 1.4% lead once more. The single-core results are equally tight: the 7452 wins Cinebench R15 single-core with 554 points versus 546, a 1.5% edge, and it holds that same 1.5% delta in both Cinebench R20 (2,312 vs 2,278) and Cinebench R23 (5,505 vs 5,426).

The fact that the EPYC 7452 wins all six benchmarks is notable given that the EPYC 9224 runs a fundamentally newer architecture. The 7452’s advantage in multi-core workloads stems directly from its 32 cores and 64 threads, compared to the 9224’s 24 cores and 48 threads. However, the 9224’s higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz versus 3.35 GHz on the 7452 helps it close the gap, preventing the core-count deficit from turning into a rout. The single-core wins for the 7452 are more curious, as the 9224 has a higher base clock (2.50 GHz vs 2.20 GHz) and a higher boost clock. Yet the data shows the 7452 ahead by 1.5% in every single-core test, suggesting that the Zen 2 architecture’s per-core efficiency in these specific Cinebench versions still holds up against Zen 4. In absolute terms, the largest delta between the two chips is just 1.5%, meaning the performance difference is almost negligible for most real-world server workloads.

Where Each One Wins

From a pure benchmark perspective, the AMD EPYC 7452 wins everywhere, taking all six head-to-head comparisons. Its multi-core victories are the most significant, as the 7452’s 32 cores provide a 33% advantage in core count over the 9224’s 24 cores, which translates to the consistent 1.4% multi-core lead. For workloads that scale heavily with thread count—such as large-scale virtualization, database processing, or multi-threaded render jobs—the 7452’s extra cores give it a structural advantage that the 9224 cannot overcome despite its higher clock speeds. The 7452 also wins all three single-core tests, which is a more nuanced result; it suggests that for lightly threaded tasks, the 7452’s Zen 2 cores remain competitive with the newer Zen 4 design in this specific benchmark suite.

The AMD EPYC 9224, while losing every benchmark, still has clear areas where its underlying hardware is superior. It operates on a 5 nm process node compared to the 7452’s 7 nm node, and it supports DDR5 memory with a twelve-channel memory bus, delivering a memory bandwidth of 460.8 GB/s—more than double the 204.8 GB/s of the 7452’s eight-channel DDR4 setup. The 9224 also features PCIe Gen 5 with 128 lanes, whereas the 7452 offers PCIe Gen 4. These differences do not show up in Cinebench scores, but they are critical for memory-bandwidth-intensive applications, high-speed networking, or GPU-dense configurations. The 9224 also has a higher TDP of 200 watts versus 155 watts for the 7452, indicating it is designed to push more power through its newer cores even if the benchmark scores do not reflect a performance dividend.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two EPYC processors is generational. The AMD EPYC 7452 is part of the EPYC 7002 series, codenamed Rome, built on the Zen 2 architecture at a 7 nm process node from TSMC. It packs 3,800 million transistors into a 74 mm² die and features a cache hierarchy of 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a large 128 MB shared L3 cache. The EPYC 9224, from the EPYC 9004 series and codenamed Genoa, uses the much newer Zen 4 architecture on a 5 nm TSMC node, with 26,280 million transistors spread across a 4x 72 mm² multi-die design. Its cache is smaller in total capacity: 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. The 7452’s L3 cache is double the size of the 9224’s, which likely contributes to its ability to keep pace in single-core tests despite the older architecture.

Memory and I/O differ starkly. The 7452 uses DDR4 memory over an eight-channel bus, providing 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. The 9224 moves to DDR5 with a twelve-channel bus, achieving 460.8 GB/s. Both support ECC memory, which is expected for server parts. The 7452 uses the AMD Socket SP3, while the 9224 requires the newer AMD Socket SP5. The 9224’s PCIe Gen 5 support with 128 lanes (CPU only) is a massive upgrade over the 7452’s PCIe Gen 4, which is listed without lane count. The 7452 was released on August 6, 2019, while the 9224 launched over three years later on November 9, 2022. The 9224 carries a launch MSRP of $1825; the 7452 has no listed launch price. Neither chip has an unlocked multiplier, and both lack integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7452 is the faster processor in Cinebench performance, winning all six tests. The 7452’s 32-core configuration provides enough multi-threading muscle to overcome the 9224’s architectural advantages, and its single-core scores are also higher. If a workload is measured by these CPU compute benchmarks, the 7452 is the clear pick. Its 66th percentile ranking among all CPUs matches the 9224’s 66th percentile, confirming that both chips sit in the same performance tier overall, but the 7452’s average benchmark score of 11,279 is higher than the 9224’s 11,118. The 7452 also draws less power at a 155 W TDP versus 200 W for the 9224, making it the more efficient choice for pure compute tasks.

However, the 9224 is not without merit for specific use cases. Its DDR5 memory support and twelve-channel bus deliver 460.8 GB/s of bandwidth, which is essential for memory-bound workloads like high-performance analytics or large in-memory databases that do not rely on Cinebench-style CPU throughput. Its PCIe Gen 5 support with 128 lanes makes it a superior choice for systems with many high-speed NVMe drives or multiple GPUs. For buyers prioritizing raw Cinebench scores, the 7452 wins; for those needing the latest memory and I/O standards, the 9224 is the more future-proof option, provided the 1.4-1.5% performance deficit is acceptable. The data does not support choosing the 9224 for its CPU speed, as it loses every test.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7452 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the AMD EPYC 9224 has 24 cores and 48 threads.

Q: Does the AMD EPYC 9224 win any Cinebench benchmark?

A: No. The EPYC 9224 loses all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with the EPYC 7452 winning by deltas of either 1.4% or 1.5%.

Q: Which CPU has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD EPYC 7452 has 128 MB of shared L3 cache, while the AMD EPYC 9224 has 64 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: What are the memory bandwidth differences?

A: The EPYC 7452 supports DDR4 with an eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The EPYC 9224 supports DDR5 with a twelve-channel bus and 460.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The AMD EPYC 9224 has a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz, compared to the 3.35 GHz boost clock of the AMD EPYC 7452.

Q: What is the process node for each chip?

A: The EPYC 7452 uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, while the EPYC 9224 uses a 5 nm process from TSMC.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7452 | AMD EPYC 9224 |

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

| Series | EPYC 7002 series | EPYC 9004 series |

| Cores | 32 | 24 |

| Threads | 64 | 48 |

| Base Clock | 2.20 GHz | 2.50 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.35 GHz | 3.70 GHz |

| TDP | 155 W | 200 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | AMD Socket SP5 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Zen 4 |

| Codename | Rome | Genoa |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 5 nm |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | 26,280 million |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 4x 72 mm² |

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

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 128 MB (shared) | 64 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Twelve-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 460.8 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 4 | Gen 5, 128 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Release Date | 2019-08-06 | 2022-11-09 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $1825 |