AMD EPYC 7543P vs AMD EPYC 7742 Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7543P and AMD EPYC 7742 are both high-end server processors designed for demanding workloads, yet they represent different generations of AMD's EPYC roadmap. The 7543P is a 32-core Zen 3 part from the EPYC 7003 series, while the 7742 is a 64-core Zen 2 part from the EPYC 7002 series. Both are built on a 7 nm process at TSMC, both use the AMD Socket SP3 platform, and both target the server and workstation market segment. The data shows a decisive, if narrow, overall victory for the older, higher-core-count 7742 in every recorded Cinebench test, despite the architectural advancements found in the newer 7543P. The following analysis breaks down the head-to-head results, the implications for buyers, and the architectural and specification differences that define these two processors.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark results are remarkably consistent across all six recorded Cinebench tests: the AMD EPYC 7742 wins every single one. The margin of victory is nearly uniform, hovering around 3.5% in favor of the 7742. In the Cinebench R15 multicore test, the 7742 scores 5923 against 5713 for the 7543P, a difference of 3.5%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar story, with the 7742 at 836 and the 7543P at 806, a 3.6% gap. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the 7742 posts 24682 in multicore versus 23806 for the 7543P (3.5% ahead), and 3484 in single-core versus 3360 (3.6% ahead). In the most demanding test, Cinebench R23, the 7742 again leads by 3.5% in multicore with 58769 points against 56683, and by 3.5% in single-core with 8296 against 8002. The 7543P does not secure a single win in the head-to-head comparison, with a final tally of 0 wins for the 7543P and 6 wins for the 7742.

These margins are tight enough that they suggest an interesting dynamic: the 7742's raw core count advantage is being partially offset by the 7543P's newer architecture. The 7742 doubles the core count of the 7543P, with 64 cores and 128 threads versus 32 cores and 64 threads. Yet it only manages a roughly 3.5% lead in these benchmarks. This indicates that the Zen 3 architecture in the 7543P delivers significantly higher per-core performance, allowing it to nearly close the gap that would normally be expected from twice the core count. The 7543P has a higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz compared to 2.25 GHz and 3.40 GHz for the 7742, which contributes to its per-core strength. However, the sheer parallelism of the 7742 still wins the day in every workload measured.

The average benchmark score in the database also reflects this ordering. The 7742 has an average benchmark score of 16998, while the 7543P sits at 16395. This places the 7742 slightly ahead in overall measured performance. Both processors share the same percentile ranking among all CPUs in the database, sitting at the 70th percentile. The nearest rival data for each chip further contextualizes their standing. The 7543P's closest rival is the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H with an average score of 16341, a delta of just 0.3%. The 7742's nearest rival is the Intel Core i7-1260P at 17007, with the 7742 trailing by a mere 0.1%. This suggests that while these EPYC parts are server-class processors, their benchmark scores place them in a range where they are comparable to some high-end consumer and mobile chips in the database's aggregate metrics.

The consistency of the 3.5% delta across single-core and multicore tests is notable. It means the 7742's advantage is not workload-dependent in these measurements; it is a uniform lead. For multi-threaded tasks, the 64-core count should theoretically provide a massive advantage, but the 7543P's Zen 3 cores, with their higher clocks and improved IPC, keep the overall result close. For single-threaded tasks, the 7543P's architectural edge is not enough to overcome the 7742's slightly higher single-core scores, which likely benefit from the 7742's higher boost behavior under light loads. The data does not show a scenario where the 7543P takes the lead, making the 7742 the clear benchmark winner.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the recorded data, the AMD EPYC 7742 is the superior processor for raw benchmark performance. It wins all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, with a consistent lead of approximately 3.5% in both single-core and multi-core workloads. It also holds a higher average benchmark score of 16998 compared to 16395 for the 7543P. For any workload where these Cinebench scores are representative, the 7742 delivers more performance. The 7543P, despite being a newer generation with architectural improvements, cannot match the 7742's overall output in any measured test.

However, the verdict is not a simple recommendation for the 7742 in all cases. The 7543P offers the same 225 W TDP as the 7742, but with half the cores. This means the 7543P's per-core power efficiency is significantly better, as it delivers nearly the same total performance with far fewer active cores. The 7543P also features a higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz, which may translate to better responsiveness in lightly threaded tasks that are not perfectly captured by the benchmark suite. The 7742's launch MSRP is not recorded in the database, while the 7543P has a launch MSRP of $2730. The decision ultimately hinges on whether the user prioritizes the maximum multi-threaded throughput, which the 7742 provides, or the architectural efficiency and higher clocks of the 7543P, which may offer benefits in specific scenarios.

For users who need the absolute highest scores in Cinebench-style workloads, the 7742 is the clear choice. Its 64 cores and 128 threads provide a level of parallelism that the 32-core 7543P cannot match, and the benchmark data confirms this. For users who value the newer Zen 3 architecture, higher clock speeds, and potentially better per-core performance, the 7543P is a compelling alternative that nearly matches the 7742 despite having half the cores. The data alone points to the 7742, but the 7543P's design philosophy suggests it may excel in environments where single-threaded responsiveness and power efficiency per core are more important than raw core count.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7742 is the winner in every benchmark category recorded in the database. This includes both multi-core and single-core tests across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23. The 7742's advantage in multi-core workloads is expected given its 64-core configuration, but its lead in single-core tests is more surprising. The data shows the 7742 scoring 836 in R15 single-core, 3484 in R20 single-core, and 8296 in R23 single-core, all ahead of the 7543P. This makes the 7742 the superior choice for any workload that relies on the performance measured by these tests, whether that is rendering, simulation, or general compute tasks that scale well with both core count and single-thread speed.

The AMD EPYC 7543P, while losing all benchmarks, still has areas where its design suggests it could be the better fit. Its 32 cores are paired with a higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, compared to 2.25 GHz and 3.40 GHz for the 7742. This means that in scenarios where clock speed is the primary driver, such as certain latency-sensitive or lightly threaded applications, the 7543P may deliver better performance than the benchmark scores alone suggest. Additionally, the 7543P comes from the Zen 3 architecture, which is a newer generation than the 7742's Zen 2. The architectural improvements in Zen 3 generally provide higher instructions per clock, which could lead to advantages in workloads not perfectly captured by Cinebench. The 7543P also shares the same 256 MB of shared L3 cache and the same eight-channel DDR4 memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth as the 7742, meaning its memory subsystem is on par.

In practical terms, the 7742 is the winner for users who want maximum throughput in heavily threaded workloads. The 7543P is the winner for users who want a more modern architecture with higher clocks and similar memory bandwidth, potentially offering better performance in mixed workloads that include both highly threaded and lightly threaded components. The database does not record a win for the 7543P, but its specifications indicate it is far from a weak processor, and it may be the more balanced option for certain server deployments.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7742 has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7543P has 32 cores and 64 threads.

Q: What is the clock speed difference between the two processors?

A: The AMD EPYC 7543P has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The AMD EPYC 7742 has a lower base clock of 2.25 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz.

Q: How much faster is the AMD EPYC 7742 in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The AMD EPYC 7742 scores 58769 in Cinebench R23 multicore, while the AMD EPYC 7543P scores 56683. The 7742 leads by 3.5%.

Q: Do both processors support the same memory configuration?

A: Yes, both support DDR4 memory with an eight-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. Both also support ECC memory.

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two?

A: The AMD EPYC 7742 has an average benchmark score of 16998, while the AMD EPYC 7543P has an average score of 16395, placing the 7742 ahead.

Q: Which processor has the newer architecture?

A: The AMD EPYC 7543P uses the Zen 3 architecture with the codename Milan, while the AMD EPYC 7742 uses the older Zen 2 architecture with the codename Rome.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different generations of AMD's EPYC lineup. The AMD EPYC 7543P is based on the Zen 3 architecture, with the codename Milan, and belongs to the EPYC 7003 series. The AMD EPYC 7742 is based on the Zen 2 architecture, with the codename Rome, and belongs to the EPYC 7002 series. This generational gap is the most significant architectural difference. Zen 3 is a newer design that typically offers higher instructions per clock compared to Zen 2, which helps explain why the 32-core 7543P can nearly match the 64-core 7742 in multi-threaded benchmarks.

The process node is the same for both: 7 nm at TSMC. However, the transistor counts and die sizes differ dramatically. The 7543P is listed with 33,200 million transistors across a die size of 8x 81 mm², indicating a multi-chiplet design with eight CCDs. The 7742 is listed with 3,800 million transistors and a die size of 74 mm², which appears to represent a single die or a different measurement approach. This difference in reported transistor count is substantial and reflects the different design philosophies between the generations.

Cache configurations are largely similar, with both processors offering 512 KB of L2 cache per core and 256 MB of shared L3 cache. The L1 cache differs, with the 7543P having 64 KB per core and the 7742 having 96 KB per core. Both use the AMD Socket SP3 and support PCIe Gen 4, with the 7543P specifically listing 128 lanes for the CPU. Neither processor has integrated graphics, and both are unlocked for multipliers, meaning they cannot be overclocked via a multiplier change. The 7543P's Zen 3 architecture represents a significant step forward in IPC, which is the primary reason it remains competitive despite its lower core count.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts are the most obvious specification differences. The AMD EPYC 7742 has 64 cores and 128 threads, double the 32 cores and 64 threads of the AMD EPYC 7543P. This gives the 7742 a massive parallelism advantage in theory, although the benchmark data shows it only translates to a 3.5% lead in practice.

Clock speeds also differ. The 7543P has a higher base clock of 2.80 GHz and a higher boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The 7742 operates at a base clock of 2.25 GHz and a boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The TDP is identical for both at 225 W, meaning the 7543P delivers its performance with significantly better per-core power efficiency.

The release dates are far apart, with the 7742 launching on 2019-08-06 and the 7543P launching on 2021-03-14. The 7543P has a recorded launch MSRP of $2730, while no launch MSRP is recorded for the 7742. The L1 cache differs, with the 7543P at 64 KB per core and the 7742 at 96 KB per core, while L2 cache is the same at 512 KB per core and L3 cache is the same at 256 MB shared. Both support DDR4 memory with an eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, and both support ECC memory. The PCIe support is Gen 4 for both, with the 7543P explicitly listing 128 lanes for the CPU. The part numbers also differ, with the 7543P listed as 100-000000341100-100000341WOF and the 7742 as 100-000000053. These specification differences, particularly the core count and clock speeds, define the performance envelope of each processor.