AMD EPYC 7542 vs Intel Core i7-4790 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7542 wins every single head-to-head comparison in the database, and it wins by a staggering margin. Across six Cinebench tests, the EPYC 7542 dominates the Intel Core i7-4790 with deltas ranging from 524.8% to 529.9%. This is not a close contest; it is a generational and categorical mismatch.

In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7542 scores 3886 against the i7-4790's 621, a 525.8% advantage. The single-core R15 result follows the same pattern: 548 versus 87, a 529.9% delta. The pattern holds in R20 and R23. In R20 multi-core, the EPYC scores 16193 versus 2591 (525% ahead), and in R20 single-core it scores 2286 versus 365 (526.3% ahead). In R23 multi-core, the EPYC reaches 38555 against 6171, a 524.8% lead, while in R23 single-core it posts 5443 versus 871, a 524.9% delta.

The consistency of these deltas is notable. Every test lands within a narrow band of roughly 525% to 530% ahead. This uniformity suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific. The EPYC's advantage scales across both multi-threaded and single-threaded workloads, indicating that its architectural superiority is not limited to core count.

The i7-4790 does have additional benchmark entries in the database that the EPYC lacks, including Geekbench and Passmark tests. In those, the i7-4790 scores 3927 in Geekbench multi-core, 1164 in single-core, and a Passmark multi-thread score of 7264. However, these cannot be compared directly because the EPYC has no corresponding entries for those tests in the recorded data. The head-to-head table, which uses only matched tests, shows six wins for the EPYC and zero for the i7.

The wins tally in the database records 6 wins for the AMD EPYC 7542 and 0 for the Intel Core i7-4790. The average benchmark score for the EPYC is 11152, while the i7 averages 10556. Both processors sit at the 66th percentile among all CPUs in the database, which is an interesting quirk: despite the massive head-to-head deltas, their overall percentile rankings are identical. This reflects the fact that the percentile is computed against the full CPU population, where both chips land in the same relative position.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras and are built for entirely different segments. The AMD EPYC 7542 is a 32-core, 64-thread server processor from the EPYC 7002 series, built on Zen 2 architecture with the codename Rome. It uses a 7 nm process fabricated by TSMC, with 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The Intel Core i7-4790 is a 4-core, 8-thread desktop part from the Haswell generation, built on Intel's 22 nm process with 1,400 million transistors on a 177 mm² die.

The core and thread counts tell the story of different design goals. The EPYC offers 32 cores and 64 threads, eight times the core count and eight times the thread count of the i7's 4 cores and 8 threads. The EPYC's base clock is 2.90 GHz with a boost of 3.40 GHz, while the i7 runs at 3.60 GHz base and 4.00 GHz boost. The i7 has higher clocks, but the EPYC's massive core advantage overwhelms that in every benchmark.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The EPYC has 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 128 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7 has 64 KB of L1 per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3. The EPYC's L3 cache is 16 times larger, which is critical for server workloads with large working sets.

Memory support diverges completely. The EPYC uses DDR4 over an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth and ECC support. The i7 uses DDR3 over a dual-channel bus with 25.6 GB/s and no ECC. The EPYC's memory bandwidth is eight times higher, a direct consequence of its eight-channel controller.

PCIe generation also differs: the EPYC supports Gen 4, while the i7 supports Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The EPYC also has no integrated graphics, while the i7 includes Intel HD 4600. The sockets are incompatible: AMD Socket SP3 for the EPYC, Intel Socket 1150 for the i7. The EPYC is marked as Active production status, while the i7 is End-of-life.

The EPYC's TDP is 225 watts versus 84 watts for the i7, reflecting the power requirements of 32 cores versus 4. The EPYC was released in August 2019, while the i7 launched in April 2014, a gap of over five years. The i7 has a launch MSRP of $312, stated once here as listed in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The recorded data shows that the AMD EPYC 7542 wins every matched benchmark, so the use-case split is heavily one-sided. In multi-threaded workloads, the EPYC's 32 cores and 64 threads produce scores that are roughly six times higher than the i7's. The R23 multi-core score of 38555 versus 6171 indicates that the EPYC is suited for heavily parallel compute tasks like rendering, simulation, and database processing. The i7's 6171 score is not competitive in these scenarios.

Single-threaded performance tells a more nuanced story. The EPYC still wins by about 525% in every single-core test, despite the i7's higher clock speeds. The EPYC's 2.90 GHz base and 3.40 GHz boost are lower than the i7's 3.60 GHz and 4.00 GHz, yet the EPYC's single-core scores are dramatically higher. The Zen 2 architecture's IPC advantage over Haswell is the likely explanation, though the database does not isolate IPC directly.

The i7's only potential advantage territory is in its integrated graphics, which the EPYC lacks entirely. For systems requiring a display output without a discrete GPU, the i7's Intel HD 4600 provides a path that the EPYC cannot offer. However, the database contains no graphics benchmarks for either processor, so this remains a qualitative observation.

The i7 also has a lower TDP of 84 watts, making it easier to cool in a desktop chassis. The EPYC's 225 watt TDP requires server-grade cooling and power delivery. For desktop users with modest workloads, the i7's lower power draw is a practical benefit, but the benchmark data shows no performance scenario where the i7 wins.

The Verdict

The data points to a single conclusion: the AMD EPYC 7542 is the superior processor in every benchmark category recorded. It wins all six head-to-head tests with deltas between 524.8% and 529.9%. Its 32 cores, 64 threads, 128 MB of L3 cache, eight-channel DDR4 memory, and Gen 4 PCIe support make it a server-class part with no peer in this comparison.

The Intel Core i7-4790 should be considered only for scenarios that the benchmarks do not cover. Its integrated graphics and lower 84 watt TDP make it a functional desktop processor for basic tasks, and its 4.00 GHz boost clock is higher than the EPYC's 3.40 GHz. But in any workload measured by the database, the EPYC is faster by a factor of roughly six.

The identical 66th percentile ranking for both CPUs is a statistical artifact of comparing against the full CPU population, not an indication of parity. The head-to-head results are the appropriate measure, and they show a complete sweep. The EPYC is the choice for server, workstation, and heavy compute use cases. The i7 is a legacy desktop part that remains viable only where its integrated graphics and lower power draw are the deciding factors, and where the workload is not represented in the benchmark suite.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmarks in the head-to-head comparison?

A: The AMD EPYC 7542 wins all 6 head-to-head benchmarks, while the Intel Core i7-4790 wins 0.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is 529.9% in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the EPYC scores 548 versus the i7's 87.

Q: How does the core count compare?

A: The EPYC has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the i7 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What memory configurations do the two processors support?

A: The EPYC supports DDR4 over an eight-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC. The i7 supports DDR3 over a dual-channel bus with 25.6 GB/s and no ECC.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The EPYC has no integrated graphics, while the i7 includes Intel HD 4600.

Q: What is the production status of each processor?

A: The EPYC is marked as Active, while the i7 is End-of-life.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7542 | Intel Core i7-4790 |

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

| Cores | 32 | 4 |

| Threads | 64 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.90 GHz | 3.60 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 4.00 GHz |

| TDP | 225 W | 84 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 1150 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Haswell |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 22 nm |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | 1,400 million |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 177 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 256 KB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 128 MB (shared) | 8 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR3 |

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

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | 25.6 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4 | Gen 3, 16 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Intel HD 4600 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Production Status | Active | End-of-life |

| Release Date | 2019-08-06 | 2014-04-30 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $312 |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |

| Part Number | 100-000000075 | SR1QF |