AMD EPYC 7473X vs AMD Ryzen 3 4100 Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7473X and AMD Ryzen 3 4100 represent opposite ends of AMD’s 2022 lineup, yet both hold the same 69th percentile ranking among all CPUs. The data shows a complete rout in raw compute: the EPYC 7473X wins all six shared benchmark comparisons, with margins exceeding 436% in every test. However, this comparison is less about performance parity and more about architectural purpose—the EPYC is a 24-core server monster with 768 MB of L3 cache, while the Ryzen is a 4-core desktop part with 8 MB. Their average benchmark scores are nearly identical (14574 vs 14505, a 0.5% difference), but that metric is skewed by the EPYC’s lack of Geekbench and Passmark entries in the data pack.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench results are unambiguous: the EPYC 7473X delivers roughly 4.36x the performance of the Ryzen 3 4100 across every rendering workload. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC scores 50388 against the Ryzen’s 9394, a 436.4% advantage. The single-core R23 test tells the same story: 7113 versus 1326, also a 436.4% delta. This consistency is notable—the margin is nearly identical across all six tests, ranging from 436.4% to 438.3%. The largest single-core gap appears in Cinebench R15, where the EPYC’s 716 beats the Ryzen’s 133 by 438.3%.

The multi-core Cinebench R20 numbers reinforce the trend: 21162 for the EPYC against 3945 for the Ryzen, a 436.4% win. Even the R15 multi-core test, which favors higher thread counts, shows the EPYC at 5078 versus 946—again a 436.8% margin. These are not close contests; the EPYC’s 48 threads simply overwhelm the Ryzen’s 8 threads in every threaded workload.

What is absent from the head-to-head data is any Geekbench or Passmark comparison. The Ryzen 3 4100 has scores for those tests (Geekbench multi-core 5310, single-core 1423; Passmark multi-thread 11050, single-thread 2531), but the EPYC 7473X does not have corresponding entries in the shared benchmark list. This means the six Cinebench results are the only direct comparisons available, and they all favor the EPYC. The Ryzen’s average benchmark score of 14505 is dragged down by these additional tests, while the EPYC’s average of 14574 relies solely on its Cinebench performance.

Interpreting the deltas: a 436% advantage means the EPYC is roughly 5.36x faster than the Ryzen in these workloads, not merely 4.36x faster. This is a category-defining difference, not an incremental one. The Ryzen’s nearest rival in the data is the AMD Ryzen 3 4300G (delta 0%), while the EPYC’s nearest rival is the Intel Xeon 6315P (delta 0%). Interestingly, each processor appears in the other’s nearest rivals list—the EPYC is 0.5% ahead of the Ryzen, and the Ryzen is 0.5% behind the EPYC, based on average scores.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 3 4100 has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the EPYC 7473X boosts to 3.70 GHz. However, the EPYC’s base clock is 2.80 GHz versus the Ryzen’s 3.80 GHz, so the Ryzen is clocked higher in both metrics.

Q: How much L3 cache does the EPYC 7473X have compared to the Ryzen 3 4100?

A: The EPYC 7473X has 768 MB of shared L3 cache, which is 96 times larger than the Ryzen 3 4100’s 8 MB shared L3 cache. Both processors have identical L1 (64 KB per core) and L2 (512 KB per core) caches.

Q: Does the Ryzen 3 4100 support ECC memory?

A: No. The data pack lists ECC memory support as false for the Ryzen 3 4100. The EPYC 7473X supports ECC memory, which is typical for its server market segment.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference between the two?

A: The EPYC 7473X has eight-channel memory support with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Ryzen 3 4100 has dual-channel support with 51.2 GB/s. The EPYC offers exactly four times the memory bandwidth.

Q: Are both processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: No. The Ryzen 3 4100 has an unlocked multiplier, while the EPYC 7473X does not. This aligns with their market segments—desktop enthusiasts versus server/workstation deployments.

Q: Which processor has a higher single-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The EPYC 7473X scores 7113 in Cinebench R23 single-core, versus 1326 for the Ryzen 3 4100. This is a 436.4% advantage for the EPYC, despite its lower clock speeds.

Architecture Differences

The two CPUs are built on fundamentally different architectures. The EPYC 7473X uses Zen 3 with the Milan-X codename, while the Ryzen 3 4100 uses Zen 2 with the Renoir codename. Both are fabricated on TSMC’s 7 nm process, but the transistor counts diverge sharply: the EPYC packs 33,200 million transistors across eight chiplets (each 81 mm²), whereas the Ryzen integrates 9,800 million transistors on a single 156 mm² die.

The cache hierarchy is the most striking architectural split. The EPYC’s 768 MB shared L3 cache is unprecedented in the data, dwarfing the Ryzen’s 8 MB. This massive L3 allocation is the defining feature of the Milan-X design, intended to keep server workloads resident in cache. The Ryzen’s 8 MB L3 is modest even for a desktop part, reflecting its Renoir die’s focus on integration and power efficiency.

Core counts amplify the difference: 24 cores and 48 threads for the EPYC versus 4 cores and 8 threads for the Ryzen. The EPYC’s base clock of 2.80 GHz is lower than the Ryzen’s 3.80 GHz, but the EPYC compensates with six times the cores. The EPYC also uses AMD Socket SP3, which supports eight-channel memory and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only). The Ryzen uses AM4, with dual-channel memory and 8 PCIe Gen 3 lanes (CPU only).

Memory support shows the server pedigree: the EPYC supports DDR4 with ECC, while the Ryzen also supports DDR4 but without ECC. The EPYC’s 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth is a direct consequence of its eight-channel controller, versus the Ryzen’s 51.2 GB/s dual-channel implementation. Both lack integrated graphics, so neither can output video without a discrete GPU.

The TDP gap is enormous: 240 watts for the EPYC versus 65 watts for the Ryzen. This reflects the EPYC’s 24 high-performance cores and massive cache, which require substantial power delivery. The Ryzen’s lower TDP makes it suitable for standard desktop cooling, while the EPYC demands server-grade thermal solutions.

The Verdict

The data is decisive: the EPYC 7473X is the superior processor in every measured benchmark, with a minimum 436.4% advantage across all six Cinebench tests. Its 24 cores, 48 threads, and 768 MB L3 cache deliver 50388 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, while the Ryzen manages only 9394. For any workload that scales with cores or cache, the EPYC is categorically faster.

The Ryzen 3 4100 wins on operational characteristics, not performance. Its 65-watt TDP, 4.00 GHz boost clock, and unlocked multiplier make it a flexible desktop part. It also has a lower launch MSRP of $99, but the analysis here focuses on technical specifications and benchmark results, not pricing considerations.

Buyers should choose the EPYC 7473X for server or workstation deployments where multi-threaded throughput and massive cache residency are paramount. Its 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and eight-channel memory support complement its compute power. The Ryzen 3 4100 suits desktop builds where power efficiency, overclocking flexibility, and standard AM4 compatibility are priorities. The Ryzen’s 8 MB L3 cache and 4 cores are sufficient for everyday desktop tasks, but the data shows it cannot compete with the EPYC in any shared benchmark.

Specification Differences

The following fields differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 24 (EPYC) vs 4 (Ryzen)
• Threads: 48 vs 8
• Base Clock: 2.80 GHz vs 3.80 GHz
• Boost Clock: 3.70 GHz vs 4.00 GHz
• TDP: 240 W vs 65 W
• Socket: AMD Socket SP3 vs AMD Socket AM4
• Architecture: Zen 3 vs Zen 2
• Codename: Milan-X vs Renoir
• Generation: EPYC (Zen 3 (Milan)) vs Ryzen 3 (Zen 2 (Renoir))
• Transistors: 33,200 million vs 9,800 million
• Die Size: 8x 81 mm² vs 156 mm²
• L3 Cache: 768 MB shared vs 8 MB shared
• Memory Bus: Eight-channel vs Dual-channel
• Memory Bandwidth: 204.8 GB/s vs 51.2 GB/s
• ECC Memory: true vs false
• PCIe: Gen 4, 128 Lanes vs Gen 3, 8 Lanes
• Market Segment: Server/Workstation vs Desktop
• Launch MSRP: $3900 vs $99
• Multiplier Unlocked: false vs true
• Part Number: 100-000000507WOF100-000000507 vs 100-000000510100-100000510BOX

Where Each One Wins

The EPYC 7473X wins in every measurable benchmark category present in the data. Its largest victory is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where it leads by 438.3% (716 vs 133). The multi-core tests show consistent 436.4% to 436.8% margins, indicating that the EPYC’s advantage holds regardless of thread count. This makes it the clear choice for rendering, simulation, and any workload that benefits from 48 threads or 768 MB of cache.

The Ryzen 3 4100 wins in the absence of benchmark data—it has Geekbench and Passmark scores, while the EPYC does not. The Ryzen’s Passmark multi-thread score of 11050 and single-thread score of 2531 suggest reasonable desktop performance, but these tests have no EPYC counterpart for comparison. The Ryzen also wins on power efficiency (65 W vs 240 W), memory bandwidth per watt, and overclocking headroom due to its unlocked multiplier.

For use-case selection: the EPYC 7473X targets high-performance computing, database servers, and virtualization hosts where its 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes and eight-channel memory enable massive I/O throughput. The Ryzen 3 4100 targets budget desktop builds, home theater PCs, and light productivity systems where its low TDP and AM4 socket allow compact, quiet configurations. The data does not support any scenario where the Ryzen outperforms the EPYC in raw compute, but its lower power draw and unlocked multiplier offer operational advantages for desktop users.