AMD EPYC 7543 vs AMD EPYC 7702P Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7543 and AMD EPYC 7702P are both 7 nm server processors built for the same SP3 socket, yet they represent two distinct generations of AMD's data-center strategy. The 7543 is a 32-core Zen 3 part from the EPYC 7003 series, while the 7702P is a 64-core Zen 2 part from the EPYC 7002 series. Benchmark results show a consistent, narrow victory for the newer 7543 across every Cinebench test, despite the 7702P offering double the core count. This comparison examines where each processor excels, the architectural choices that explain the results, and what the data means for specific workloads.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7543 wins every single benchmark in the head-to-head comparison, taking all six Cinebench tests. The 7702P does not claim a single victory in any test, making the 7543 the clear choice for raw performance in both single-core and multi-core workloads. However, the margin of victory is remarkably consistent at 2.3% across all tests, which points to a per-core efficiency advantage rather than a massive generational leap.

For single-core performance, the 7543 is the definitive winner. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 7554 outpaces the 7702P's 7384, a 2.3% difference. This advantage carries over to Cinebench R20 single-core (3172 vs 3101) and Cinebench R15 single-core (761 vs 744). Any workload that relies on per-thread responsiveness — database queries, scripting, or lightly threaded legacy applications — will favor the 7543.

In multi-threaded scenarios, the 7543 also wins, which is the more surprising result given the 7702P's 64-core count against the 7543's 32 cores. The 7543's Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 53509 beats the 7702P's 52308, again by 2.3%. The same pattern holds in Cinebench R20 multi-core (22473 vs 21969) and Cinebench R15 multi-core (5393 vs 5272). This suggests that for Cinebench workloads, the Zen 3 architecture's instruction-per-clock (IPC) gains fully offset the 7702P's core-count advantage.

The 7702P's wins are therefore not in raw benchmark scores but in core density. With 64 cores and 128 threads, it offers twice the parallel capacity of the 7543. For workloads that scale beyond 32 cores — such as large-scale virtualization, massive parallel compilation, or high-throughput data processing — the 7702P provides more headroom for concurrent tasks, even if its per-core speed is lower. The data shows no benchmark where this advantage materializes, but the specification difference remains a key differentiator for deployment planning.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on different microarchitectures: the 7543 uses Zen 3 (codenamed Milan), while the 7702P uses Zen 2 (codenamed Rome). Both are fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process, so the manufacturing node is identical. The architectural changes between Zen 2 and Zen 3 are what drive the performance differences.

The 7543's Zen 3 design reworks the core topology, with a unified 32 MB L3 cache per chiplet instead of the split design in Zen 2. The cache configuration in the FACT PACK lists the 7543 with 64 KB of L1 per core and 512 KB of L2 per core, matching the 7702P's L2, but the 7702P has a smaller 96 KB L1 per core. Both share a 256 MB L3 cache. The 7543's larger L1 cache and Zen 3's improved prefetching and branch prediction contribute to its higher single-core scores.

The core counts differ dramatically: the 7543 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the 7702P doubles that with 64 cores and 128 threads. Clock speeds tell the rest of the story. The 7543 has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The 7702P's base clock is listed at 2000.00, which is effectively 2.00 GHz, with a boost of 3.35 GHz. The 7543's higher clocks, combined with its architectural improvements, explain its per-core performance lead.

Power and physical characteristics also diverge. The 7543 has a TDP of 225 W, while the 7702P is rated at 200 W. The transistor count is listed as 33,200 million for the 7543 versus 3,800 million for the 7702P, though the die size figures (8x 81 mm² for the 7543 and 74 mm² for the 7702P) suggest different chiplet configurations. Both support eight-channel DDR4 memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC, but the 7543 lists PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the 7702P simply lists PCIe Gen 4 without lane specifics. The 7543 was released in March 2021; the 7702P came earlier in August 2019.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data is remarkably uniform, with the 7543 winning every test by exactly 2.3%. This consistency indicates a fixed per-clock advantage rather than workload-specific behavior. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the 7543 scores 53509 against the 7702P's 52308. That is a gap of 1201 points, which is meaningful for rendering or simulation tasks that use all available threads.

Single-core results show the same 2.3% edge. The 7543's Cinebench R23 single-core score of 7554 beats the 7702P's 7384. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the scores are 3172 and 3101, respectively. The Cinebench R15 single-core test shows 761 for the 7543 and 744 for the 7702P. These margins matter for latency-sensitive applications where each thread's speed determines overall responsiveness.

Multi-core tests follow the identical pattern. Cinebench R20 multi-core gives the 7543 a score of 22473 versus 21969 for the 7702P. Cinebench R15 multi-core shows 5393 against 5272. The 7543's ability to outperform a processor with twice its core count in multi-threaded tests is the headline result. It demonstrates that Zen 3's IPC gains are substantial enough to overcome a 2x core disadvantage in this benchmark suite.

The overall average benchmark scores reflect this. The 7543 has an average benchmark score of 15477, while the 7702P sits at 15130. Both occupy the same 69th percentile among all CPUs, indicating similar standing relative to the broader market. The nearest rivals for the 7543 include the AMD EPYC 9254 (avg score 15756, delta -1.8%) and the Intel Core i5-11400H (avg score 15749, delta -1.7%). The 7702P's nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 74F3 (avg score 14915, delta 1.4%) and the Intel Core i7-9750H (avg score 14886, delta 1.6%). These comparisons show both processors clustering in the same performance tier, despite their different core counts and generations.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7702P has 64 cores and 128 threads, double the 32 cores and 64 threads of the AMD EPYC 7543.

Q: Why does the 32-core 7543 beat the 64-core 7702P in multi-core benchmarks?

A: The 7543's newer Zen 3 architecture, combined with higher base and boost clocks (2.80/3.70 GHz vs 2.00/3.35 GHz), delivers enough per-core performance to overcome the 7702P's core-count advantage. The 7543 wins every multi-core Cinebench test by 2.3%.

Q: Are these processors compatible with the same motherboards?

A: Yes, both use the AMD Socket SP3 and support DDR4 memory with an eight-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference?

A: The 7543 leads in every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 7554 versus 7384 for the 7702P, a 2.3% advantage. The same margin appears in Cinebench R20 (3172 vs 3101) and Cinebench R15 (761 vs 744).

Q: Which processor has a higher TDP?

A: The 7543 has a TDP of 225 W, while the 7702P is rated at 200 W. The 7543 draws more power but delivers higher benchmark scores.

Q: Are there any benchmarks where the 7702P wins?

A: No. In the head-to-head comparison, the 7543 wins all six Cinebench tests. The 7702P's advantage lies in its 128 threads, which provide more parallel capacity for highly scalable workloads, though this does not translate into a win in the tested benchmarks.

Specification Differences

The following table highlights only the fields where the two processors differ:

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7543 | AMD EPYC 7702P |

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

| Series | EPYC 7003 series | EPYC 7002 series |

| Cores | 32 | 64 |

| Threads | 64 | 128 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 2000.00 (2.00 GHz) |

| Boost Clock | 3.70 GHz | 3.35 GHz |

| TDP | 225 W | 200 W |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Zen 2 |

| Codename | Milan | Rome |

| Generation | EPYC (Zen 3 (Milan)) | EPYC (Zen 2 (Rome)) |

| Transistors | 33,200 million | 3,800 million |

| Die Size | 8x 81 mm² | 74 mm² |

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

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

| Release Date | 2021-03-14 | 2019-08-06 |

| Launch MSRP | $3761 | null |

| Part Number | 100-000000345100-100000345WOF | 100-000000047 |

| Average Benchmark Score | 15477 | 15130 |

Both processors share the same 7 nm TSMC process, L2 cache size (512 KB per core), L3 cache (256 MB shared), memory support (DDR4, eight-channel), memory bandwidth (204.8 GB/s), ECC support, socket (SP3), and lack of integrated graphics. The 7543 is the newer, faster part with a higher TDP and a listed launch MSRP of $3761; the 7702P has no recorded launch MSRP in the data. The 7702P's 64-core configuration remains relevant for workloads that can utilize more than 32 threads, but the benchmark record is unambiguous: the 7543 wins every tested metric.