AMD EPYC 7473X vs Intel Core i3-1315U Comparison

The Intel Core i3-1315U and AMD EPYC 7473X occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, and benchmark data confirms this is not a contest of equals. The EPYC 7473X wins every single head-to-head benchmark by a commanding 81.4% margin, reflecting its 24 cores versus the Core i3's 6 cores and its 768 MB of L3 cache versus 10 MB. While both processors rank at the 69th percentile among all CPUs, the EPYC's average benchmark score of 14574 places it alongside the Intel Xeon 6315P, whereas the Core i3's 15022 average aligns it with the AMD EPYC 74F3 and Intel Core i7-9750H. The data is unambiguous: the EPYC 7473X is a server-class workhorse, while the Core i3-1315U is a low-power mobile part.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7473X has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1315U has 6 cores and 8 threads. This 4x core advantage is the primary driver of the EPYC's dominance in multi-threaded workloads.

Q: How do their Cinebench R23 multi-core scores compare?

A: The AMD EPYC 7473X scores 50388 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, versus 9374 for the Intel Core i3-1315U. The EPYC leads by 81.4% in this test, which is the same margin seen across all Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 benchmarks.

Q: What is the difference in their thermal design power (TDP)?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U has a TDP of 15 watts, whereas the AMD EPYC 7473X has a TDP of 240 watts. This 225-watt gap explains the EPYC's much higher performance ceiling and its server/workstation market segment.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD EPYC 7473X supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i3-1315U does not. This makes the EPYC suitable for error-sensitive server workloads.

Q: What are their memory channel configurations?

A: The AMD EPYC 7473X supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, while the Intel Core i3-1315U supports dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5 memory. The EPYC's eight-channel setup provides vastly higher memory throughput.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U includes UHD Graphics 64EU, while the AMD EPYC 7473X has no integrated graphics. This makes the Core i3 suitable for systems without a discrete GPU.

The Verdict

Choose the AMD EPYC 7473X for any compute-intensive server, virtualization, or workstation task. Its 24 cores and 48 threads, paired with 768 MB of L3 cache, deliver 50388 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 5.4 times the Core i3's 9374. The EPYC also dominates single-core performance with a 7113 score in Cinebench R23 single-core, versus 1323 for the Core i3. Its eight-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support make it the only viable choice for data-center reliability and throughput.

Choose the Intel Core i3-1315U only for a low-power mobile system where battery life and heat are paramount. With a 15-watt TDP, it is 16 times more power-efficient than the EPYC's 240 watts, and its 6 cores and 8 threads are sufficient for everyday productivity. The Core i3 also includes integrated UHD Graphics 64EU, eliminating the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. However, its 10 MB L3 cache and dual-channel memory pale next to the EPYC's resources, and it loses every benchmark in the head-to-head comparison.

For anyone building a server, the EPYC 7473X is the clear winner. For a thin-and-light laptop, the Core i3-1315U is the intended part. The data shows no overlap in their intended use cases, and the benchmark results reflect that separation.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The AMD EPYC 7473X wins all six head-to-head benchmarks, each by an identical 81.4% margin. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC scores 5078 against the Core i3's 944. The R15 single-core test shows 716 versus 133. Moving to Cinebench R20, the EPYC posts 21162 multi-core and 2987 single-core, while the Core i3 manages 3937 and 555, respectively. The most significant gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the EPYC's 50388 dwarfs the Core i3's 9374.

The consistency of the 81.4% delta across all tests is striking. It indicates that the performance difference is systemic, rooted in the fundamental architectural disparity rather than any single workload characteristic. The EPYC's 768 MB L3 cache provides a massive advantage for data-heavy tasks, while its 24 cores scale effortlessly across multi-threaded rendering and simulation workloads. The Core i3's 10 MB L3 cache and 6 cores simply cannot compete, even in single-core tests where the EPYC still leads by 81.4% due to its higher 3.70 GHz boost clock versus the Core i3's 4.50 GHz — the EPYC's superior per-core architecture (Zen 3 versus Raptor Lake) compensates for the lower clock speed.

The Core i3-1315U does not win a single benchmark in this comparison. Its only consolation is a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz, but that does not translate into any benchmark victory. The data shows a total wipeout for the mobile chip.

Specification Differences

The two processors diverge on nearly every core specification. The AMD EPYC 7473X has 24 cores and 48 threads, compared to the Intel Core i3-1315U's 6 cores and 8 threads. The EPYC's base clock is 2.80 GHz with a boost of 3.70 GHz, while the Core i3 runs at 1.20 GHz base and 4.50 GHz boost. TDP differs dramatically: 240 watts for the EPYC versus 15 watts for the Core i3.

Cache allocations are equally disparate. The EPYC has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a massive 768 MB shared L3. The Core i3 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 10 MB shared L3. Memory support sees the EPYC using eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the Core i3 uses dual-channel DDR4 or DDR5. ECC memory is supported only on the EPYC. PCIe lanes differ as well: the EPYC offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes, while the Core i3 has Gen 4 with 8 lanes. The EPYC has no integrated graphics, whereas the Core i3 includes UHD Graphics 64EU. Sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket SP3 versus Intel BGA 1744.

Architecture Differences

The AMD EPYC 7473X uses the Zen 3 architecture on the Milan-X codename, built on a 7 nm process by TSMC. It is part of the EPYC 7003 series and contains 33,200 million transistors across 8x 81 mm² dies. The Intel Core i3-1315U uses Raptor Lake architecture on the Raptor Lake-U codename, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The EPYC's 768 MB shared L3 cache is the standout feature, enabled by 3D V-Cache technology, and it is 76.8 times larger than the Core i3's 10 MB L3. This cache advantage is critical for server workloads that repeatedly access large datasets.

The EPYC is a server/workstation part with 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, eight-channel memory, and ECC support, all designed for maximum throughput and reliability. The Core i3 is a mobile part with 8 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, dual-channel memory, and no ECC, prioritizing power efficiency and compactness. The EPYC's 240-watt TDP reflects its high-core-count design, while the Core i3's 15-watt TDP enables passive cooling in ultraportables. The Core i3's 4.50 GHz boost clock is higher than the EPYC's 3.70 GHz, but the EPYC's superior single-core architecture (Cinebench R23 single-core: 7113 versus 1323) demonstrates that clock speed alone does not determine performance.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7473X wins in every measurable benchmark category in this comparison. It is the definitive choice for multi-threaded server workloads, large-scale virtualization, scientific computing, and database processing, where its 24 cores, 48 threads, and 768 MB L3 cache deliver unmatched parallel performance. Its 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth and ECC support make it ideal for memory-intensive applications that require data integrity. The EPYC's 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes enable massive I/O configurations for storage arrays and network adapters.

The Intel Core i3-1315U wins in the power efficiency and integration categories, though not in any benchmark. Its 15-watt TDP makes it suitable for fanless or low-noise designs, and its integrated UHD Graphics 64EU removes the need for a discrete GPU in basic systems. The Core i3's compact BGA 1744 socket and dual-channel memory support align with thin-and-light laptop designs, where the EPYC's SP3 socket and 240-watt TDP are physically impossible to accommodate. The Core i3 also supports DDR5 memory, which the EPYC does not, offering a modern memory path for consumer systems.

For a user prioritizing any form of raw compute performance, the EPYC 7473X is the only option. For a user prioritizing portability, battery life, and integrated graphics, the Core i3-1315U serves that niche. The data does not suggest any scenario where the Core i3 outperforms the EPYC in processing power; it simply occupies a different market segment with different design priorities.