AMD EPYC 7543 vs Intel Core i3-1315U Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7543 and Intel Core i3-1315U occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, and benchmark data confirms a complete dominance by the server-grade AMD part. Across every tested Cinebench workload, the EPYC 7543 delivers a victory margin of roughly 470%, making any head-to-head comparison a study in extremes rather than a contest of equals. The data shows a clear verdict: the EPYC 7543 is in a different performance class entirely, while the Core i3-1315U is defined by its mobile efficiency and integrated graphics.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7543 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1315U has 6 cores and 8 threads. This 26-core and 56-thread gap is the primary driver of the massive multi-core performance difference.

Q: How large is the single-core performance gap?

A: The EPYC 7543 leads by 472.2% in Cinebench R15 single-core (761 vs 133), by 471.5% in R20 (3172 vs 555), and by 471% in R23 (7554 vs 1323). Despite the Core i3's higher boost clock, the EPYC's Zen 3 architecture delivers far superior single-threaded results.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The EPYC 7543 features eight-channel DDR4 memory with a bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The Core i3-1315U uses dual-channel memory with no bandwidth figure listed in the benchmark data.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The AMD EPYC 7543 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core i3-1315U does not. This makes the EPYC suitable for error-sensitive server workloads.

Q: Which processor includes integrated graphics?

A: Only the Intel Core i3-1315U includes integrated graphics, specifically UHD Graphics 64EU. The EPYC 7543 has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU.

Q: What are the launch MSRP values?

A: The AMD EPYC 7543 has a launch MSRP of $3761, while the Intel Core i3-1315U has a launch MSRP of $309.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different architectural philosophies. The AMD EPYC 7543 uses the Zen 3 architecture on a 7 nm TSMC process, codenamed Milan, and belongs to the EPYC 7003 series. It is manufactured with 33,200 million transistors across a die size of 8x 81 mm². The Intel Core i3-1315U uses the Raptor Lake architecture on a 10 nm Intel process, codenamed Raptor Lake-U.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. The EPYC 7543 has 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus a massive 256 MB shared L3 cache. The Core i3-1315U has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, with a 10 MB shared L3 cache. The EPYC's 256 MB L3 is 25 times larger than the Core i3's 10 MB, a decisive factor for data-heavy server workloads.

Memory support differs as well. The EPYC 7543 supports DDR4 with an eight-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i3-1315U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 but only with a dual-channel bus, and no bandwidth figure is listed. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, which the Core i3 does not.

PCIe connectivity further separates them. The EPYC 7543 provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i3-1315U provides Gen 4 with only 8 lanes (CPU only). The EPYC also has a socket type of AMD Socket SP3, whereas the Core i3 uses Intel BGA 1744. The EPYC is a server/workstation part with a 225 TDP, while the Core i3 is a mobile chip with a 15 TDP.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head Cinebench results are unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7543 wins all six comparisons, with every single delta exceeding 470%. The largest margin comes in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the EPYC scores 761 against the Core i3's 133, a 472.2% advantage. This is notable because the Core i3 has a higher boost clock of 4.50 GHz compared to the EPYC's 3.70 GHz, yet still loses by a factor of nearly six.

Multi-core results are equally one-sided. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the EPYC scores 5393 versus 944, a 471.3% lead. In R20 multicore, the gap is 22473 versus 3937, a 470.8% difference. The R23 multicore test shows 53509 versus 9374, again a 470.8% gap. Even the R20 single-core test, which is typically more favorable to higher-clocked parts, shows the EPYC at 3172 versus 555, a 471.5% margin.

The average benchmark scores reflect this dominance, though the overall percentiles are identical. The EPYC 7543 has an average benchmark score of 15477 and sits at the 69th percentile against all CPUs. The Core i3-1315U has an average score of 15022 and also sits at the 69th percentile. This means that while the EPYC absolutely crushes the Core i3 in raw Cinebench performance, the Core i3 is competitive against its own peer group of mobile and older desktop parts.

The nearest rivals for the EPYC 7543 include the Intel Core 5 211TE at 15370 (0.7% delta), the AMD Ryzen 3 7440U at 15682 (-1.3%), the Intel Core i5-11400H at 15749 (-1.7%), and the AMD EPYC 9254 at 15756 (-1.8%). For the Core i3-1315U, the nearest rivals are the AMD EPYC 74F3 at 14915 (0.7%), the AMD EPYC 7702P at 15130 (-0.7%), the Intel Core i7-9750H at 14886 (0.9%), and the Intel Core i3-10320 at 14852 (1.1%). The data shows that both chips land in similar overall percentile territory despite their enormous direct performance gap.

Specification Differences

The specification sheets for these two processors differ in nearly every field. The AMD EPYC 7543 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core i3-1315U has 6 cores and 8 threads. The EPYC has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Core i3 has a base clock of 1200.00 MHz and a boost clock of 4.50 GHz.

The TDP values are starkly different: the EPYC 7543 draws 225 W, while the Core i3-1315U draws only 15 W. The EPYC uses AMD Socket SP3, whereas the Core i3 uses Intel BGA 1744. The EPYC is built on a 7 nm process by TSMC, while the Core i3 uses a 10 nm process by Intel.

Cache sizes differ dramatically. The EPYC 7543 has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 256 MB shared L3. The Core i3-1315U has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 10 MB shared L3. The EPYC's L3 cache is 25 times larger.

Memory support diverges completely. The EPYC 7543 supports DDR4 only, with an eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The Core i3-1315U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 on a dual-channel bus, but no bandwidth figure is provided. The EPYC supports ECC memory; the Core i3 does not.

PCIe capabilities differ by a factor of 16. The EPYC 7543 provides Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only), while the Core i3-1315U provides Gen 4 with 8 lanes (CPU only). The EPYC has no integrated graphics, while the Core i3 includes UHD Graphics 64EU. The EPYC's market segment is Server/Workstation, while the Core i3's is Mobile.

Where Each One Wins

For the AMD EPYC 7543, the wins are absolute and comprehensive. It wins all six Cinebench tests, including both single-core and multi-core variants. The data shows it is decisively ahead in R15, R20, and R23, with margins consistently around 470%. The EPYC's 32 cores, 64 threads, and 256 MB L3 cache make it the clear choice for server and workstation workloads where multi-threaded throughput is paramount. Its eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support further cement its position for data-center tasks. The 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes provide massive I/O capability for expansion.

For the Intel Core i3-1315U, the wins are absent in direct comparison, but the data shows its strengths in other areas. It has a much lower TDP of 15 W versus the EPYC's 225 W, making it suitable for mobile and power-constrained environments. Its base clock of 1200.00 MHz and boost clock of 4.50 GHz indicate a design focused on bursty single-thread performance, though the benchmark results do not substantiate this against the EPYC. The integrated UHD Graphics 64EU provides a complete package without a discrete GPU, which is a clear advantage for compact mobile systems. The Core i3 also supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering flexibility in system design. Its smaller footprint and BGA 1744 socket are appropriate for laptops and embedded solutions.

The Verdict

The benchmark data delivers a definitive verdict: the AMD EPYC 7543 is the superior processor by every measured metric. Across all six Cinebench tests, it outperforms the Intel Core i3-1315U by margins ranging from 470.8% to 472.2%. The EPYC's 32 cores, 64 threads, and 256 MB L3 cache provide a computational foundation that the Core i3's 6 cores and 8 threads cannot approach. For any workload requiring multi-threaded performance, server reliability with ECC memory, or massive memory bandwidth via eight-channel DDR4, the EPYC 7543 is the unequivocal choice. Its 225 W TDP and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes are appropriate for its server/workstation market segment.

The Intel Core i3-1315U, despite losing all head-to-head benchmarks, is not without purpose. Its 15 W TDP, integrated UHD Graphics 64EU, and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 make it a sensible option for mobile devices where power efficiency and compact design are priorities. The Core i3's boost clock of 4.50 GHz is higher than the EPYC's 3.70 GHz, but the benchmark data shows this does not translate into better single-core performance. The Core i3 is also far more accessible in terms of launch MSRP at $309 versus the EPYC's $3761, though pricing considerations are secondary to the performance data.

The final analysis is clear: the EPYC 7543 is designed for maximum compute density and throughput, and it delivers that with crushing margins. The Core i3-1315U is designed for mobility and integration, and it serves that role adequately. Users needing server-class performance should select the EPYC 7543 without hesitation. Users needing a low-power mobile processor with integrated graphics should select the Core i3-1315U, accepting that its performance will be roughly one-fifth of the EPYC in every Cinebench test. The data does not support any other conclusion.