AMD EPYC 7473X vs Intel Core i3-10320 Comparison

The Intel Core i3-10320 and the AMD EPYC 7473X occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, and the benchmark data reflects a complete mismatch in capabilities. The EPYC 7473X wins every single head-to-head benchmark in the data set, with a consistent deltaPct of -83.2% against the i3-10320 across all six Cinebench tests. The data shows that the EPYC 7473X is a server-class processor designed for massive parallel workloads, while the i3-10320 is a mainstream desktop chip built for everyday tasks. This is not a contest of equals; it is a demonstration of how architecture, core count, and market focus dictate performance outcomes.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the benchmark results, the AMD EPYC 7473X is the superior processor in every measured category. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC scores 50,388 points compared to the i3-10320’s 8,486 points, representing a 493.8% advantage. The single-core results tell a similar story: the EPYC’s 7,113 points in Cinebench R23 single-core dwarf the i3-10320’s 1,198 points. Even in the closest comparison, the i3-10320’s Passmark single-thread score of 2,841 is the only metric where it approaches the EPYC’s territory, though the EPYC does not have a corresponding Passmark score in the data pack for direct comparison.

The i3-10320 should be chosen by users building a desktop system who prioritize low power consumption (91W TDP) and integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 630), which the EPYC lacks entirely. The EPYC 7473X is for server and workstation environments where the 24 cores, 48 threads, 768 MB of L3 cache, and eight-channel DDR4 memory support are non-negotiable. The EPYC’s launch MSRP is $3900, reflecting its enterprise positioning. The data shows that the i3-10320 is not competitive in any Cinebench workload, so the decision comes down to workload requirements: if the task is multi-threaded rendering or virtualization, the EPYC is the only rational choice; if the task is basic desktop computing, the i3-10320 suffices.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectures. The Intel i3-10320 uses the Comet Lake architecture on a 14 nm process node, manufactured by Intel. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The cache hierarchy consists of 64 KB L1 per core, 256 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. It supports dual-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 42.7 GB/s, and it lacks ECC memory support. The processor uses Gen 3 PCIe with 16 lanes (CPU only) and includes integrated UHD Graphics 630. Its market segment is Desktop, and it was released on 2020-04-29.

The AMD EPYC 7473X is built on the Zen 3 architecture with the Milan-X codename, using a 7 nm process node manufactured by TSMC. It has 24 cores and 48 threads, with a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The cache configuration is drastically different: 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a massive 768 MB of shared L3 cache. This enormous L3 cache is the defining architectural feature of the Milan-X series, enabling higher hit rates for data-intensive server workloads. The EPYC supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s and includes ECC memory support. It uses Gen 4 PCIe with 128 lanes (CPU only) and has no integrated graphics. Its market segment is Server/Workstation, and it was released on 2022-03-21. The transistor count is 33,200 million, with a die size of 8x 81 mm², highlighting the multi-chiplet design.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data contains six Cinebench tests, and the EPYC 7473X wins all six with an identical deltaPct of -83.2% in each case. This consistent percentage indicates that the performance gap is proportional across all measured workloads, suggesting the EPYC’s advantages are structural rather than workload-specific.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC scores 5,078 points versus the i3-10320’s 855 points. The single-core R15 test shows the EPYC at 716 points against 120 points for the i3-10320. These are the smallest absolute differences in the data set, but the relative gap remains the same at 83.2%.

Cinebench R20 results amplify the difference. The multi-core test has the EPYC at 21,162 points versus 3,564 points for the i3-10320. The single-core test shows 2,987 points for the EPYC and 503 points for the i3-10320. The EPYC’s single-core advantage is notable because it demonstrates that even in a lightly-threaded test, the Zen 3 architecture delivers significantly higher IPC than Comet Lake.

Cinebench R23 provides the most dramatic numbers. The multi-core test has the EPYC at 50,388 points versus 8,486 points for the i3-10320. The single-core test shows 7,113 points for the EPYC and 1,198 points for the i3-10320. The EPYC’s single-core score is 5.9 times higher than the i3-10320’s, which is a massive margin for a single-threaded test and points to the superior instructions-per-clock of the Zen 3 architecture.

The i3-10320 does have additional Passmark benchmarks in the data pack that the EPYC lacks, including a multi-thread score of 9,982 and a single-thread score of 2,841. However, without corresponding EPYC scores, these cannot be compared directly. The data shows that in all directly comparable tests, the EPYC is overwhelmingly superior.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: 4 (i3-10320) vs 24 (EPYC 7473X)
• Threads: 8 vs 48
• Base clock: 3.80 GHz vs 2.80 GHz
• Boost clock: 4.60 GHz vs 3.70 GHz
• TDP: 91 vs 240
• Socket: Intel Socket 1200 vs AMD Socket SP3
• Process node: 14 nm vs 7 nm
• Foundry: Intel vs TSMC
• Transistors: Not specified vs 33,200 million
• Die size: Not specified vs 8x 81 mm²
• L2 cache per core: 256 KB vs 512 KB
• L3 cache (shared): 8 MB vs 768 MB
• Memory bus: Dual-channel vs Eight-channel
• Memory bandwidth: 42.7 GB/s vs 204.8 GB/s
• ECC memory: false vs true
• PCIe version and lanes: Gen 3, 16 Lanes vs Gen 4, 128 Lanes
• Integrated graphics: UHD Graphics 630 vs none
• Market segment: Desktop vs Server/Workstation
• Release date: 2020-04-29 vs 2022-03-21
• Launch MSRP: Not specified vs $3900

The L1 cache size is the same (64 KB per core) for both processors. The EPYC’s higher TDP of 240 reflects its much larger core count and server-class power delivery requirements.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7473X has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core i3-10320 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the L3 cache size difference?

A: The EPYC 7473X has 768 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-10320 has only 8 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Does either processor support ECC memory?

A: The AMD EPYC 7473X supports ECC memory (true), while the Intel Core i3-10320 does not (false).

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i3-10320 has a higher boost clock at 4.60 GHz, compared to the EPYC 7473X’s 3.70 GHz.

Q: What are the release dates?

A: The Intel Core i3-10320 was released on 2020-04-29, and the AMD EPYC 7473X was released on 2022-03-21.

Q: How much does the EPYC 7473X cost at launch?

A: The AMD EPYC 7473X has a launch MSRP of $3900.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7473X wins in every head-to-head benchmark category, including all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 multi-core and single-core tests. Its strengths lie in multi-threaded server workloads, where its 24 cores, 48 threads, 768 MB L3 cache, and eight-channel memory bandwidth (204.8 GB/s) provide massive parallel processing capabilities. The EPYC is suited for virtualization, database processing, scientific computing, and any workload that can utilize 48 threads. Its 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes enable high-bandwidth peripherals and NVMe storage arrays. The ECC memory support ensures data integrity for mission-critical applications.

The Intel Core i3-10320 wins in scenarios where its higher clock speeds (3.80 GHz base, 4.60 GHz boost) and lower TDP (91) are advantageous. It is suited for basic desktop computing, web browsing, and office applications where single-thread performance matters more than core count. The integrated UHD Graphics 630 provides a display output without a discrete GPU, which is a feature the EPYC lacks entirely. Its dual-channel memory support and 16 PCIe Gen 3 lanes are sufficient for a mainstream desktop build. The i3-10320 also has Passmark benchmark scores in the data pack, including a multi-thread score of 9,982 and a single-thread score of 2,841, which demonstrate its capability in general computing tasks, though these scores have no direct EPYC comparison in the data set. The data shows that the i3-10320 is the only one of the two with any integrated graphics, making it the sole choice for systems without a dedicated GPU.