AMD EPYC 7473X vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U and AMD EPYC 7473X occupy opposite ends of the processor spectrum, yet their average benchmark scores are nearly identical. The Ryzen 5 5500U posts an average benchmark score of 14589, while the EPYC 7473X scores 14574, a negligible 0.1% difference. Both processors sit at the 69th percentile among all CPUs. However, this similarity in averages masks a profound divergence in workload characteristics, core counts, and intended use cases. The data indicates these are not competitors in any practical sense, but rather specialized tools for entirely different jobs.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data shows a complete sweep for the AMD EPYC 7473X across all four shared tests. The most dramatic margin appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the EPYC 7473X scores 50388 against the Ryzen 5 5500U's 7186, a delta of -85.7% from the perspective of the Ryzen part. This means the EPYC delivers roughly seven times the multi-threaded rendering performance. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC's 5078 dwarfs the Ryzen's 1247, representing a -75.4% delta. The gap narrows somewhat in single-threaded tests, but remains decisive. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the EPYC scores 7113 versus the Ryzen's 1172, a -83.5% delta. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows the EPYC at 716 against the Ryzen's 177, a -75.3% delta.

The win count is 4-0 in favor of the EPYC 7473X. The Ryzen 5 5500U does not win a single head-to-head benchmark. It is notably the shared test suite is limited to Cinebench workloads, which heavily favor the EPYC's massive core count and higher clock speeds. The Ryzen's own benchmark results in other tests, such as 3DMark and Passmark, do not appear in the head-to-head table, so direct comparisons in gaming or encryption workloads are not available from this data. The average benchmark scores being nearly equal suggests the Ryzen 5 5500U excels in other areas not covered by the head-to-head tests, likely in lower-thread-count scenarios where its power efficiency comes into play.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gap between these two chips is generational and physical. The Ryzen 5 5500U is built on Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Lucienne, and belongs to the 5000 series. The EPYC 7473X uses the newer Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Milan-X, and is part of the EPYC 7003 series. Both are fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process node, but the similarities end there. The Ryzen 5 5500U packs 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, while the EPYC 7473X contains 33,200 million transistors spread across 8x 81 mm² chiplets. This is a massive difference in scale, with the EPYC using over three times the transistor budget.

Cache configuration is another stark divider. Both chips have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 512 KB of L2 cache per core. The L3 cache, however, tells a different story. The Ryzen 5 5500U has 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7473X has 768 MB of shared L3 cache, which is 96 times larger. This enormous cache pool is the defining feature of the Milan-X line. The EPYC also runs on a completely different platform: it uses AMD Socket SP3, supports eight-channel memory, and provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU. The Ryzen 5 5500U uses AMD Socket FP6, supports dual-channel memory, and provides 12 PCIe Gen 3 lanes.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark results make it clear that the EPYC 7473X wins every multi-threaded and single-threaded rendering test in the shared suite. For Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC's 50388 score is 85.7% higher than the Ryzen's 7186. This makes the EPYC the obvious choice for any workload that scales with cores and threads, such as 3D rendering, video encoding, or scientific simulations. The EPYC's 24 cores and 48 threads, combined with its massive 768 MB L3 cache, allow it to process large datasets without hitting memory bottlenecks. Its 2.80 GHz base clock and 3.70 GHz boost clock are also higher than the Ryzen's 2.10 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost.

The Ryzen 5 5500U, despite losing the head-to-head, still holds its own in specific scenarios. Its single-thread score of 1172 in Cinebench R23 is lower than the EPYC's 7113, but the Ryzen's 4.00 GHz boost clock is higher than the EPYC's 3.70 GHz. This suggests the Ryzen can be competitive in lightly-threaded tasks that are sensitive to peak clock speed, though the data does not include a direct single-thread comparison outside of Cinebench. The Ryzen's 3DMark scores, which are not part of the head-to-head table, show a 16-thread score of 3741 and a single-thread score of 684. These numbers, combined with its integrated Radeon Graphics 448SP, point to a chip designed for mobile productivity and light gaming, not server workloads.

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals fundamental differences in every major category. The Ryzen 5 5500U has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the EPYC 7473X has 24 cores and 48 threads. The Ryzen's base clock is 2.10 GHz with a boost of 4.00 GHz; the EPYC's base clock is 2.80 GHz with a boost of 3.70 GHz. The Ryzen has a TDP of 15 watts, while the EPYC has a TDP of 240 watts. This 16x difference in power envelope explains the performance gap and dictates their respective markets.

Memory support differs significantly. The Ryzen 5 5500U supports DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration, offering 51.2 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The EPYC 7473X also supports DDR4, but in an eight-channel configuration, delivering 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen does not. PCIe connectivity is another major split: the Ryzen provides 12 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, while the EPYC provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The Ryzen has integrated Radeon Graphics 448SP, while the EPYC has no integrated graphics. The Ryzen's release date is 2021-01-11, while the EPYC's is 2022-03-21. The EPYC has a launch MSRP of $3900, which is noted once here as a reference point.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7473X has 24 cores and 48 threads, compared to the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U's 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How much larger is the EPYC's L3 cache?

A: The EPYC 7473X has 768 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Ryzen 5 5500U has 8 MB. This makes the EPYC's L3 cache 96 times larger.

Q: Which chip has a higher boost clock?

A: The Ryzen 5 5500U has a boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while the EPYC 7473X has a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The Ryzen's boost clock is 0.30 GHz higher.

Q: What is the TDP difference between the two?

A: The Ryzen 5 5500U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the EPYC 7473X has a TDP of 240 watts. The EPYC consumes 16 times the power budget.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory channels?

A: No. The Ryzen 5 5500U supports dual-channel memory, while the EPYC 7473X supports eight-channel memory. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: Only the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U has integrated graphics, specifically Radeon Graphics 448SP. The AMD EPYC 7473X has no integrated graphics.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear, if obvious, conclusion. The AMD EPYC 7473X is the undisputed performance king in every benchmark where the two are directly compared. It wins all four head-to-head tests, with margins ranging from -75.3% to -85.7% in favor of the EPYC. If your workload is multi-threaded rendering, scientific computing, or any server application that can utilize 24 cores, 48 threads, and 768 MB of L3 cache, the EPYC 7473X is the only choice from this data. Its eight-channel memory and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes further cement its position as a server/workstation part.

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500U, despite its losses, is not a poor processor. Its average benchmark score of 14589 is actually 15 points higher than the EPYC's 14574, and it sits at the same 69th percentile. This means in the aggregate of all benchmark tests, the Ryzen 5 5500U is statistically tied with the EPYC. The Ryzen achieves this with 6 cores, a 15-watt TDP, and integrated graphics. It is a mobile processor designed for laptops, where power efficiency and integrated graphics are critical. The EPYC cannot be used in such a scenario, as it lacks integrated graphics and requires a server platform.

The practical advice is straightforward. If you are building a server or workstation and need maximum throughput for threaded workloads, the EPYC 7473X delivers a 7x advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core. If you are buying a laptop or a low-power system, the Ryzen 5 5500U offers similar average benchmark performance to the EPYC while consuming 225 fewer watts and including graphics capabilities. The choice is not about which is faster, but which is appropriate for the physical and thermal constraints of your system. The EPYC's launch MSRP of $3900 also places it in a different tier entirely. The data shows two excellent processors, each dominant in its own domain.