AMD EPYC 7542 vs Intel Core i7-7700 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data delivers a decisive outcome: the AMD EPYC 7542 wins all six recorded head-to-head comparisons against the Intel Core i7-7700. There are no benchmark victories for the Intel part in any of the Cinebench tests, and the margins are consistently massive across both multi-core and single-core workloads.

The largest single advantage appears in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the EPYC 7542 scores 548 against the i7-7700's 104, a delta of 426.9%. The multi-core result in the same test is almost identical in percentage terms: 3886 versus 740, a 425.1% lead. This pattern repeats across every generation of Cinebench. In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the EPYC 7542 records 16193 versus 3084, again a 425.1% delta. The single-core R20 result shows 2286 versus 435, a 425.5% gap. Cinebench R23 multi-core sees 38555 versus 7344, a 425% difference, while R23 single-core shows 5443 versus 1036, a 425.4% delta.

The consistency of these deltas is striking. All six head-to-head comparisons fall within a narrow band of 425.0% to 426.9%, meaning the relative performance gap between the two processors is stable regardless of workload type or Cinebench version. This suggests a fundamental architectural advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The EPYC 7542's absolute scores scale from 3886 in R15 multi-core to 38555 in R23 multi-core, while the i7-7700 scales from 740 to 7344, preserving the same approximate ratio throughout.

Looking at the broader database context, the EPYC 7542 holds an average benchmark score of 11152, placing it at the 66th percentile among all CPUs. Its nearest rivals include the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U (average score 11176, delta of -0.2%), the AMD EPYC 9224 (11118, +0.3%), the Intel Xeon Gold 6336Y (11191, -0.3%), and the Intel Core i3-1305U (11200, -0.4%). The i7-7700, by contrast, has an average benchmark score of 11914, placing it at the 67th percentile, with nearest rivals such as the AMD EPYC 7453 (11912, 0.0% delta) and the AMD Ryzen 5 3500X (12000, -0.7%). This creates an unusual situation: the i7-7700 has a higher average benchmark score across the full database, yet it loses every head-to-head Cinebench test to the EPYC 7542 by a factor of roughly five. The explanation lies in the test mix; the i7-7700's database score is buoyed by additional benchmark categories beyond Cinebench, including PassMark and GeekBench results that are not part of the head-to-head comparison set.

The practical meaning of a 425% delta in Cinebench is that the EPYC 7542 completes rendering workloads roughly five times faster than the i7-7700. For multi-threaded rendering, the EPYC 7542's 38555 R23 score represents one of the stronger results in the database, while the i7-7700's 7344 is characteristic of a mainstream desktop processor from its era. In single-threaded tests, the EPYC 7542 also leads by over 425%, which is notable because single-core performance typically favors higher clock speeds. The i7-7700 has a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz versus 3.40 GHz for the EPYC 7542), yet it still loses single-core Cinebench by a wide margin, indicating that the EPYC 7542's Zen 2 architecture delivers substantially more instructions per clock in these workloads.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD EPYC 7542 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons recorded in the database. The Intel Core i7-7700 records zero wins in the head-to-head set.

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

A: The largest delta is 426.9%, observed in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the EPYC 7542 scores 548 against the i7-7700's 104. The smallest recorded delta is 425.0% in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with scores of 38555 versus 7344.

Q: How do their overall database rankings compare?

A: The EPYC 7542 sits at the 66th percentile among all CPUs with an average benchmark score of 11152. The i7-7700 sits at the 67th percentile with an average score of 11914. Despite the higher percentile and average score for the i7-7700, the EPYC 7542 leads in every head-to-head Cinebench test.

Q: Does the EPYC 7542 have more cores and threads?

A: Yes. The EPYC 7542 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the i7-7700 has 4 cores and 8 threads. This eightfold core advantage is reflected in the multi-core benchmark results.

Q: Which processor has higher clock speeds?

A: The i7-7700 has a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. The EPYC 7542 has a base clock of 2.90 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The i7-7700 is clocked higher, yet it loses single-core Cinebench tests by over 425%.

Q: What is the difference in memory bandwidth?

A: The EPYC 7542 supports eight-channel memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The i7-7700 supports dual-channel memory with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s. The EPYC 7542 also supports ECC memory, while the i7-7700 does not.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different architectural lineages. The AMD EPYC 7542 is built on the Zen 2 architecture, codenamed Rome, and belongs to the EPYC 7002 series. It is manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC, with 3,800 million transistors on a die size of 74 mm². The Intel Core i7-7700 uses the Kaby Lake architecture, which is the same as its codename, and belongs to the Core i7 generation. It is manufactured on a 14 nm process at Intel. The process node difference, 7 nm versus 14 nm, represents a full generation of manufacturing technology, which contributes to the EPYC 7542's ability to pack 32 cores into a power envelope while maintaining competitive clock speeds.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The EPYC 7542 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and 128 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-7700 has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The L3 cache difference is particularly relevant for server workloads: 128 MB versus 8 MB is a 16-fold difference in last-level cache capacity. While the per-core cache sizes are also larger on the EPYC 7542, the shared L3 capacity is the dominant architectural distinction.

Memory architecture is fundamentally different as well. The EPYC 7542 uses an eight-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s and supports ECC memory. The i7-7700 uses a dual-channel memory bus with a bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s and does not support ECC memory. The bandwidth difference, 204.8 GB/s versus 38.4 GB/s, is a 5.3-fold advantage for the EPYC 7542, which matters for memory-intensive server and workstation workloads. The EPYC 7542 also supports PCIe Gen 4, while the i7-7700 supports PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU.

The EPYC 7542 includes no integrated graphics, consistent with its server/workstation market segment. The i7-7700 includes HD 630 integrated graphics, consistent with its desktop market segment. The i7-7700 has a TDP of 65 W, while the EPYC 7542 has a TDP of 225 W, reflecting the power requirements of 32 high-performance cores. Both processors have locked multipliers, so neither supports unlocked overclocking. The EPYC 7542 uses AMD Socket SP3, while the i7-7700 uses Intel Socket 1151.

Specification Differences

The core count difference is the most obvious: the EPYC 7542 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the i7-7700 has 4 cores and 8 threads. Clock speeds favor the i7-7700, with a base clock of 3.60 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, versus 2.90 GHz and 3.40 GHz for the EPYC 7542. The TDP difference is 225 W for the EPYC 7542 versus 65 W for the i7-7700.

The EPYC 7542 uses AMD Socket SP3, while the i7-7700 uses Intel Socket 1151. The EPYC 7542 is built on a 7 nm process at TSMC with 3,800 million transistors and a 74 mm² die size. The i7-7700 uses a 14 nm process at Intel; its transistor count and die size are not recorded in the database. Cache configurations differ at every level: 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 128 MB shared L3 for the EPYC 7542, versus 64 KB L1 and 256 KB L2 per core with 8 MB shared L3 for the i7-7700.

Memory support is another differentiator. Both support DDR4, but the EPYC 7542 uses an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support. The i7-7700 uses a dual-channel bus with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC support. The EPYC 7542 has PCIe Gen 4, while the i7-7700 has PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The i7-7700 includes HD 630 integrated graphics; the EPYC 7542 has none.

The market segments differ: the EPYC 7542 is a server/workstation processor, while the i7-7700 is a desktop processor. The release dates also differ, with the EPYC 7542 releasing on 2019-08-06 and the i7-7700 on 2017-01-02. The EPYC 7542 has part number 100-000000075, while the i7-7700 has part number SR338. Both processors are listed as active in production status, and neither has an unlocked multiplier.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the AMD EPYC 7542 is the superior processor for compute-intensive workloads. It wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark by a margin of at least 425%, and its architecture is designed for server and workstation deployments where multi-core throughput and memory bandwidth are critical. The Intel Core i7-7700, while having a higher average benchmark score across the full database (11914 versus 11152) and a marginally higher percentile ranking (67th versus 66th), cannot match the EPYC 7542 in any Cinebench test.

The i7-7700's higher database average is a consequence of its broader benchmark coverage, which includes PassMark and GeekBench tests not present in the head-to-head set. In the six tests where both processors were measured under identical conditions, the EPYC 7542 dominates. The i7-7700's advantages are limited to its higher clock speeds (3.60 GHz base, 4.20 GHz boost), lower TDP (65 W versus 225 W), and the inclusion of integrated graphics. None of these translate into benchmark wins in the recorded data.

For users choosing between these two processors, the decision hinges on workload type and platform requirements. The EPYC 7542 is the only sensible choice for multi-threaded rendering, data compression, encryption, or any workload that scales with core count and memory bandwidth. The i7-7700 makes sense only for desktop applications where its integrated graphics and lower power draw are relevant, and where the user does not need ECC memory or eight-channel bandwidth. The i7-7700's 4 cores and 8 threads are sufficient for basic desktop tasks, but the data shows a fivefold performance deficit in Cinebench workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7542 wins in every workload category recorded in the head-to-head benchmark set. This includes all multi-core Cinebench tests, where its 32 cores and 64 threads produce scores of 3886 (R15), 16193 (R20), and 38555 (R23). It also wins all single-core Cinebench tests, with scores of 548 (R15), 2286 (R20), and 5443 (R23), despite having a lower boost clock than the i7-7700. The EPYC 7542's wins extend to memory-bandwidth-sensitive workloads, given its eight-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, compared to the i7-7700's dual-channel 38.4 GB/s.

The Intel Core i7-7700 does not win any recorded head-to-head benchmark. Its strengths lie outside the head-to-head set: it has a higher average benchmark score across the full database (11914 versus 11152) and a higher percentile ranking (67th versus 66th). Its PassMark results, including 122429 in data compression, 2974 in data encryption, 8128 in extended instructions, 16904 in floating point math, 27538 in integer math, 8635 in multithread, 588 in physics, 15509 in random string sorting, and 2442 in single-thread tests, contribute to its database average. Its GeekBench scores are 4640 multi-core and 1369 single-core.

The use-case split is therefore stark. The EPYC 7542 is the processor for server racks, workstation rendering nodes, virtualization hosts, and any environment where the 225 W TDP is acceptable in exchange for 32 cores, 128 MB of L3 cache, ECC memory support, and PCIe Gen 4. The i7-7700 is the processor for a desktop system where integrated graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU, where the 65 W TDP allows for modest cooling, and where the workload fits within 4 cores and 8 threads. The i7-7700's market segment is desktop, and its data reflects that positioning.

The database percentiles offer a final perspective. The EPYC 7542's average benchmark score of 11152 places it in the same performance neighborhood as the AMD Ryzen 5 3500U (11176, -0.2%), AMD EPYC 9224 (11118, +0.3%), Intel Xeon Gold 6336Y (11191, -0.3%), and Intel Core i3-1305U (11200, -0.4%). The i7-7700's 11914 average aligns it with the AMD EPYC 7453 (11912, 0.0%), AMD Ryzen 5 3500X (12000, -0.7%), Intel Xeon Bronze 3408U (12019, -0.9%), and Intel Xeon Gold 6314U (12026, -0.9%). These neighboring rankings show that both processors sit in the middle of the overall distribution, but the head-to-head results reveal the EPYC 7542's decisive advantage in the Cinebench render workloads that dominate the comparison set.