AMD EPYC 7502 vs Intel Core i3-12100 Comparison

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal: the AMD EPYC 7502 dominates the Intel Core i3-12100 in every recorded benchmark. Across all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, the EPYC 7502 wins outright, with deltas ranging from 313.6% to 316.7%. The Core i3-12100 records zero wins in the head-to-head comparison. The verdict is simple: for any workload that leverages multicore performance, the EPYC 7502 is the clear choice, while the i3-12100 is a lower-power desktop chip that cannot compete in server-class compute.

The EPYC 7502 sits in the 67th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 12709. The i3-12100 also sits in the 67th percentile, with an average score of 12054. Despite the identical percentile, the EPYC 7502 is ahead by roughly 5.4% in average score. The nearest rivals for the EPYC 7502 include the Intel Xeon Gold 6348 (delta -0.3%), the Intel Core i5-8400 (delta -0.4%), and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X (delta -0.6%), all of which are within a fraction of a percent. The i3-12100's nearest rivals include the Intel Xeon Gold 6314U (delta 0.2%), the Intel Xeon Bronze 3408U (delta 0.3%), and the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X (delta 0.5%).

Who should pick which? The EPYC 7502 is for server and workstation deployments where 32 cores and 64 threads are needed, and where the 180 TDP is acceptable. The i3-12100 is for a basic desktop build, with 4 cores and 8 threads, a 60 TDP, and integrated graphics. No benchmark in this database supports the i3-12100 as a superior option.

Where Each One Wins

The EPYC 7502 wins every single recorded benchmark. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23, both multicore and singlecore, the EPYC 7502 leads by over 313%. For example, in Cinebench R23 multicore, the EPYC scores 43940 versus the i3's 10623, a 313.6% advantage. In singlecore R23, the EPYC scores 6203 versus 1499, a 313.8% lead. The pattern is consistent: the EPYC 7502 is roughly 4.1 times faster in every Cinebench test.

The i3-12100 has no benchmark wins in the head-to-head set. Its strengths are qualitative, not measured here. It has a higher base clock (3.30 GHz versus 2.50 GHz) and a higher boost clock (4.30 GHz versus 3.35 GHz), and it supports DDR5 memory. It also includes UHD Graphics 730, while the EPYC has no integrated graphics. However, these advantages do not translate into any recorded benchmark victory. The i3-12100's lower TDP (60 versus 180) makes it more suited to power-constrained desktop environments, but the data shows no performance win.

For use cases, the EPYC 7502 is the pick for multi-threaded server workloads: virtualization, database processing, and content rendering. The i3-12100 is a capable entry-level desktop processor, but the benchmark data does not support any claim of superiority.

Architecture Differences

The EPYC 7502 is built on AMD's Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Rome, fabricated on a 7 nm process at TSMC. It uses 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The i3-12100 uses Intel's Alder Lake-S architecture, fabricated on Intel's 10 nm process, with a 163 mm² die size. The process node difference is significant: 7 nm versus 10 nm, which typically affects power efficiency and density.

The EPYC 7502 has 32 cores and 64 threads, with a base clock of 2.50 GHz and a boost clock of 3.35 GHz. The i3-12100 has 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 3.30 GHz and a boost clock of 4.30 GHz. The EPYC has far more compute resources, but each individual core runs at a lower clock speed. The cache hierarchy differs substantially: the EPYC has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 128 MB shared L3. The i3 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The EPYC's L3 cache is over 10 times larger.

Memory support also diverges. The EPYC uses DDR4 with an eight-channel memory bus and a recorded bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The i3 uses DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and no recorded bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on the EPYC, but not on the i3. PCIe generations differ: the EPYC uses Gen 4, while the i3 uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket SP3 for the EPYC, Intel Socket 1700 for the i3.

The EPYC's market segment is Server/Workstation, while the i3 is Desktop. The EPYC was released on 2019-08-06, and the i3 on 2022-01-03. The EPYC has no integrated graphics, while the i3 includes UHD Graphics 730. Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in single-core performance?

A: The EPYC 7502 wins in every single-core Cinebench test. In Cinebench R23 singlecore, the EPYC scores 6203 versus the i3's 1499, a 313.8% lead. The i3's higher boost clock (4.30 GHz versus 3.35 GHz) does not overcome the EPYC's architecture advantage in these measurements.

Q: Can the Intel Core i3-12100 be used for server workloads?

A: The data does not support it. The i3 has 4 cores and 8 threads, no ECC memory support, and a dual-channel memory bus. The EPYC 7502 has 32 cores, 64 threads, ECC support, and an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The i3's market segment is Desktop, not Server/Workstation.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The EPYC 7502 has a recorded memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s over an eight-channel DDR4 bus. The i3-12100 has a dual-channel bus supporting DDR4 and DDR5, but no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database.

Q: Does the i3-12100 have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i3-12100 includes UHD Graphics 730. The EPYC 7502 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for a server processor.

Q: Which processor has a larger cache?

A: The EPYC 7502 has 128 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-12100 has 12 MB. The EPYC also has 96 KB L1 per core and 512 KB L2 per core, versus 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core on the i3.

Q: Are these processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Both are in the 67th percentile of all CPUs, but the EPYC has a higher average benchmark score: 12709 versus 12054 for the i3. The EPYC's nearest rival, the Intel Xeon Gold 6348, is only 0.3% behind, while the i3's nearest rival, the Intel Xeon Gold 6314U, is 0.2% behind.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a complete sweep for the AMD EPYC 7502. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the EPYC scores 4428 versus the i3's 1070, a 313.8% delta. In singlecore R15, the EPYC scores 625 versus 150, a 316.7% delta, the largest margin in the set. The R20 multicore test shows 18454 versus 4461, a 313.7% delta, and singlecore shows 2605 versus 629, a 314.1% delta. The R23 multicore test shows 43940 versus 10623, a 313.6% delta, and singlecore shows 6203 versus 1499, a 313.8% delta.

The consistency of these deltas is notable. Every test, whether multicore or singlecore, yields a delta between 313.6% and 316.7%. This suggests the EPYC's advantage is not workload-specific but architectural. The EPYC's 32 cores and 64 threads provide massive parallelism, while its Zen 2 architecture delivers superior single-thread efficiency despite lower clock speeds. The i3's 4 cores and 8 threads, even with a 4.30 GHz boost clock, cannot close the gap.

In the broader benchmark context, the EPYC's average score of 12709 places it alongside the Intel Xeon Gold 6348 (12746, delta -0.3%) and the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3990X (12786, delta -0.6%). The i3's average of 12054 places it near the Intel Xeon Bronze 3408U (12019, delta 0.3%) and the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X (12000, delta 0.5%). The EPYC is 5.4% ahead of the i3 in average score, a meaningful gap at the same percentile rank.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in every major specification category. The EPYC 7502 has 32 cores and 64 threads; the i3-12100 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks are 2.50 GHz versus 3.30 GHz, and boost clocks are 3.35 GHz versus 4.30 GHz. TDP is 180 watts for the EPYC, 60 watts for the i3. Sockets are AMD Socket SP3 versus Intel Socket 1700.

Architecture differs: Zen 2 (Rome) versus Alder Lake-S. Process nodes are 7 nm (TSMC) versus 10 nm (Intel). Die sizes are 74 mm² versus 163 mm². The EPYC uses 3,800 million transistors; the i3 has no transistor count recorded. Cache configurations differ: the EPYC has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 128 MB shared L3. The i3 has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3.

Memory support: the EPYC uses DDR4 with an eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth; the i3 uses DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and no bandwidth figure. ECC memory is supported on the EPYC, not on the i3. PCIe: the EPYC uses Gen 4, the i3 uses Gen 5 with 16 lanes (CPU only). Integrated graphics: the EPYC has none, the i3 has UHD Graphics 730. Market segments: Server/Workstation versus Desktop. Release dates: 2019-08-06 versus 2022-01-03. The i3 has a recorded launch MSRP of $122, while the EPYC has no recorded launch MSRP. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.