AMD EPYC 74F3 vs Intel Core i3-1315U Comparison

The benchmark data presents a stark contrast between the Intel Core i3-1315U, a mobile processor, and the AMD EPYC 74F3, a server/workstation part. Despite their nearly identical average benchmark scores (15022 vs 14915) and matching 69th percentile ranking among all CPUs, the head-to-head results reveal a complete sweep by the AMD chip. This analysis examines what drives such a dramatic split in performance, where each processor excels, and which user should consider which component.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The most immediate observation is the absolute dominance of the AMD EPYC 74F3 across all six shared Cinebench tests. The Intel Core i3-1315U did not win a single benchmark in this comparison, with the AMD part taking all six wins. The margin is consistent and crushing: in every test, the EPYC 74F3 outperforms the i3-1315U by approximately 81.8%. This consistency suggests a fundamental scaling advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk.

Looking at the raw numbers, the gap is substantial in every category. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC 74F3 scores 51566 versus the i3-1315U's 9374. For single-core in the same test, the AMD chip scores 7279 against Intel's 1323. The pattern repeats in R20, where the EPYC 74F3 achieves 21657 multi-core and 3057 single-core, while the i3-1315U manages 3937 and 555 respectively. Even in the older R15 tests, the deltas remain fixed at roughly -81.8% for Intel, with scores of 5197 versus 944 in multi-core and 733 versus 133 in single-core.

These numbers carry a clear implication: the EPYC 74F3 is not just slightly better; it is operating in a different performance tier entirely. The deltaPct of -81.8% indicates that the Intel chip's scores are only about 18.2% of the AMD chip's scores in every test. This uniformity is notable because single-core performance is often where smaller, higher-clocked parts can compete. Here, even in single-threaded workloads, the EPYC 74F3's 4.00 GHz boost clock and Zen 3 architecture deliver scores that are five to six times higher than the i3-1315U's 4.50 GHz boost, suggesting that clock speed alone cannot compensate for architectural and cache advantages.

Where Each One Wins

Based strictly on the head-to-head data, the AMD EPYC 74F3 wins in every measurable benchmark category shared between the two. This includes both multi-core and single-core Cinebench tests, which typically represent different workload types. The multi-core results (R15, R20, R23) point to the EPYC 74F3's strength in heavily parallel tasks, where its 24 cores and 48 threads can be fully utilized. The single-core results are more surprising, as they show the EPYC 74F3 also leads in lightly threaded applications, a category where the i3-1315U's higher 4.50 GHz boost clock might have been expected to help.

The Intel Core i3-1315U, however, shows no wins in this comparison. Its strengths lie outside the Cinebench suite, as evidenced by its Passmark scores. The i3-1315U achieves 126436 in data compression, 7583 in data encryption, and 7413 in extended instructions. It also posts 27012 in floating point math and 37644 in integer math. These Passmark results are not part of the head-to-head comparison, but they indicate that the i3-1315U has capable processing power for certain desktop and mobile tasks. Still, when directly compared to the EPYC 74F3, the data shows no benchmark where Intel comes out ahead.

For the AMD processor, the wins extend to all six shared tests, but its benchmark portfolio is more limited. The EPYC 74F3 only has Cinebench scores listed, with no Passmark data available. This means the head-to-head comparison is entirely within the Cinebench family, where the EPYC 74F3's architecture clearly excels. The implication is that in rendering and simulation workloads, which Cinebench typically represents, the EPYC 74F3 is overwhelmingly superior.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different foundations. The Intel Core i3-1315U uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm process node, manufactured by Intel itself. It features 6 cores and 8 threads, a design typical of mobile processors. The AMD EPYC 74F3 uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm node from TSMC, with 24 cores and 48 threads. This is a server-class design with four times the core count and six times the thread count.

Cache configurations also diverge sharply. The i3-1315U has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 74F3 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, but a massive 256 MB of shared L3 cache. That L3 difference is 25.6 times larger on the AMD chip, which helps explain its single-core advantage despite a lower boost clock. The EPYC 74F3 also has 33,200 million transistors spread across 4x 81 mm² dies, while the i3-1315U has no listed transistor count or die size.

Memory support is another differentiator. The i3-1315U supports DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, with no ECC support. The EPYC 74F3 supports DDR4 only but in an eight-channel configuration, with a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s and ECC support enabled. The PCIe capabilities also differ: the Intel chip offers Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only), while the AMD chip offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), a 16-fold increase in lane count. The EPYC 74F3 also lacks integrated graphics, while the i3-1315U includes UHD Graphics 64EU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has a higher average benchmark score?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U has an average benchmark score of 15022, while the AMD EPYC 74F3 has an average score of 14915. The Intel chip leads by 0.7% according to the nearestRivals deltaPct.

Q: How many cores and threads does each processor have?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U has 6 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD EPYC 74F3 has 24 cores and 48 threads. This gives the AMD processor four times the cores and six times the threads.

Q: What is the largest performance gap in the head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The largest consistent gap is in all Cinebench tests, where the AMD EPYC 74F3 leads by approximately 81.8% in every case. The smallest absolute score difference is in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the EPYC 74F3 scores 733 versus the i3-1315U's 133.

Q: Does the Intel processor have any advantages in memory support?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, while the AMD EPYC 74F3 supports only DDR4. However, the AMD chip uses an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, compared to Intel's dual-channel configuration, which has no listed bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a larger L3 cache?

A: The AMD EPYC 74F3 has 256 MB of shared L3 cache, while the Intel Core i3-1315U has 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD chip's L3 cache is 25.6 times larger.

Q: What are the launch MSRP values for these processors?

A: The Intel Core i3-1315U has a launch MSRP of $309, and the AMD EPYC 74F3 has a launch MSRP of $2900.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion for different use cases. The AMD EPYC 74F3 is the definitive choice for any workload that relies on Cinebench-style rendering or multi-threaded computation. Its 81.8% lead across all shared benchmarks is decisive, and its 24 cores, 48 threads, and 256 MB L3 cache make it suited for server or workstation environments where parallel processing is paramount. The EPYC 74F3 also wins in single-core tests, which is notable given its lower 4.00 GHz boost clock compared to Intel's 4.50 GHz. The eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes further reinforce its server positioning.

The Intel Core i3-1315U, despite losing every head-to-head test, is not without merit. Its Passmark scores show strong performance in data compression (126436), encryption (7583), and integer math (37644), which are not covered by the Cinebench comparison. Its lower 15 W TDP, dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support, and integrated graphics make it a mobile-oriented part, suitable for laptops where power efficiency and graphics output matter. The i3-1315U also carries a lower launch MSRP of $309 versus the EPYC 74F3's $2900, though pricing analysis is beyond the scope of this data.

For a user choosing between these two, the decision hinges on the application. If the workload is rendering, simulation, or heavy multi-threading, the AMD EPYC 74F3 is the only rational pick based on the benchmark evidence. If the task is mobile computing, battery-sensitive operation, or requires integrated graphics, the Intel Core i3-1315U is the appropriate choice, even though it loses every direct comparison. The average benchmark scores being nearly identical (15022 vs 14915) is misleading; the head-to-head results reveal a vast gulf in raw compute capability.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i3-1315U | AMD EPYC 74F3 |

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

| Cores | 6 | 24 |

| Threads | 8 | 48 |

| Base Clock | 1200.00 MHz | 2.80 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.50 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 15 W | 240 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1744 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Architecture | Raptor Lake | Zen 3 |

| Codename | Raptor Lake-U | Milan |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 7 nm |

| Foundry | Intel | TSMC |

| Transistors | Not listed | 33,200 million |

| Die Size | Not listed | 4x 81 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 1.25 MB (per core) | 512 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 10 MB (shared) | 256 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4, DDR5 | DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not listed | 204.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 8 Lanes (CPU only) | Gen 4, 128 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | UHD Graphics 64EU | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2023-01-03 | 2021-03-14 |

| Launch MSRP | $309 | $2900 |

| Part Number | SRMLV | 100-000000317100-100000317WOF |