AMD EPYC 7501 vs Intel Core i7-12800HE Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7501 and Intel Core i7-12800HE target different segments: the EPYC is a 32-core server/workstation processor built on the Zen architecture, while the Intel part is a 14-core mobile chip from Alder Lake. In the recorded Cinebench benchmarks, the Intel Core i7-12800HE wins all six tests, with margins between 5.2% and 5.3%. This analysis walks through the benchmark results, architectural differences, and specification gaps to show where each processor stands.

Where Each One Wins

In the head-to-head Cinebench suite, the Intel Core i7-12800HE wins every test. The AMD EPYC 7501 records no wins. The Intel part leads by 5.2% in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 5.3% in R15 single-core, 5.2% in R20 multi-core, 5.2% in R20 single-core, 5.3% in R23 multi-core, and 5.2% in R23 single-core. These are consistent margins across both single-threaded and multi-threaded workloads. The EPYC's strengths are not visible in these benchmarks; they lie in platform features such as ECC memory support, eight-channel memory, and a higher core count. For users focused on Cinebench performance, the Intel part is the clear winner.

The EPYC's 32 cores and 64 threads do not translate into a Cinebench advantage. Despite having more than twice the core count, the EPYC trails the Intel part in every multi-core test. This indicates that core count alone does not determine these results. The Intel part's higher boost clock (4.60 GHz vs 3.00 GHz) and newer architecture likely contribute to its lead, though the data does not isolate these factors. The recorded wins are exclusively for the Intel part, so any use-case split based on benchmark results places the Intel processor ahead in all measured Cinebench scenarios.

Architecture Differences

The two processors differ fundamentally in architecture. The AMD EPYC 7501 uses AMD's Zen architecture (codename Naples) on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with 4,800 million transistors on a 213 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-12800HE uses Alder Lake (Alder Lake-H) on Intel's 10 nm process, with a 217 mm² die and no recorded transistor count. The EPYC has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel has 14 cores and 20 threads. Base clocks are 2.00 GHz for the EPYC and 2.40 GHz for the Intel; boost clocks are 3.00 GHz and 4.60 GHz respectively. TDPs are 170 W and 45 W.

Cache layouts differ substantially. The EPYC has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus 64 MB shared L3. The Intel has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, plus 24 MB shared L3. Memory support: the EPYC uses DDR4 with an eight-channel bus and 170.6 GB/s bandwidth; the Intel supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and no recorded bandwidth. The EPYC supports ECC memory, the Intel does not. PCIe: the EPYC is Gen 3, the Intel is Gen 4 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The EPYC has no integrated graphics, the Intel has Iris Xe 96EU. The EPYC is a server/workstation part, the Intel is mobile. The EPYC has an unlocked multiplier, the Intel is locked. The EPYC has a release date of 2017-06-28, the Intel has no recorded release date. Part numbers are PS7501BEVIHAF and SRLE6.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC scores 2135 and the Intel 2253, a delta of -5.2% (Intel wins). In R15 single-core, 301 vs 318, -5.3%. R20 multi-core: 8898 vs 9391, -5.2%. R20 single-core: 1256 vs 1325, -5.2%. R23 multi-core: 21186 vs 22360, -5.3%. R23 single-core: 2991 vs 3156, -5.2%. The consistency of the margin suggests a systematic advantage for the Intel part across these Cinebench versions.

The average benchmark score for the EPYC is 6128, while the Intel part averages 6467, a difference of 339 points. The EPYC sits at the 61st percentile of all CPUs, the Intel at the 62nd. In the nearest rival comparisons, the EPYC is 0.3% behind the Intel Core i9-7940X (avg 6147), while the Intel is 1.2% ahead of the AMD EPYC 7551 (avg 6391). These figures place the Intel part in a slightly higher performance tier overall, even though the head-to-head margin is modest.

The single-core results are particularly telling. The EPYC's best single-core score is 301 in R15, 1256 in R20, and 2991 in R23. The Intel part scores 318, 1325, and 3156 respectively. The consistent 5% lead in single-core tests indicates that the Intel architecture is more efficient per thread, despite the EPYC's larger core count. Multi-core tests follow the same pattern, with the Intel part leading by similar margins, which suggests that the EPYC's additional cores do not compensate for its lower clock speeds and older design.

The Verdict

Based on the recorded data, the Intel Core i7-12800HE is the faster processor in every Cinebench test. For workloads that resemble these benchmarks, the Intel part delivers a consistent 5% lead. The AMD EPYC 7501, despite having more than twice the core count, does not translate that into Cinebench performance. However, the EPYC offers platform features that the Intel lacks: ECC memory, eight-channel memory, and a higher TDP envelope (170 W vs 45 W) that may suit server environments. The Intel part, with its lower TDP and integrated graphics, is designed for mobile systems.

The choice depends on whether the user prioritizes the benchmark results or the platform capabilities. The data does not show any scenario where the EPYC wins in Cinebench, so for those specific workloads, the Intel part is the recommended pick. For server deployments that require ECC memory and high memory bandwidth, the EPYC's feature set may be more relevant, but the benchmark data does not support a performance advantage. The Intel part's higher average score (6467 vs 6128) and higher percentile (62 vs 61) reinforce its position as the faster processor in the measured tests.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7501 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core i7-12800HE has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HE has a boost clock of 4.60 GHz, compared to 3.00 GHz for the AMD EPYC 7501.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD EPYC 7501 supports ECC memory; the Intel Core i7-12800HE does not.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HE has Iris Xe 96EU integrated graphics; the AMD EPYC 7501 has none.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HE has an average benchmark score of 6467, while the AMD EPYC 7501 has 6128, a difference of 339 points.

Q: How many Cinebench tests did each win?

A: The Intel Core i7-12800HE won all six head-to-head Cinebench tests; the AMD EPYC 7501 won none.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD EPYC 7501 | Intel Core i7-12800HE |

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

| Manufacturer | AMD | Intel |

| Series | EPYC 7001 series | Core 12th Gen |

| Cores | 32 | 14 |

| Threads | 64 | 20 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 2.40 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.00 GHz | 4.60 GHz |

| TDP | 170 W | 45 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Naples | Alder Lake-H |

| Generation | EPYC (Zen (Naples)) | Core i7 (Alder Lake-H) |

| Process Node | 14 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | Intel |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 213 mm² | 217 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 64 MB (shared) | 24 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 170.6 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Xe 96EU |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2017-06-28 | Not recorded |

| Multiplier Unlocked | Yes | No |

| Part Number | PS7501BEVIHAF | SRLE6 |