AMD EPYC 7543P vs Intel Core i7-1260P Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data paints an unmistakable picture: the AMD EPYC 7543P wins every single recorded head-to-head test against the Intel Core i7-1260P. Out of six direct comparisons, the EPYC 7543P takes all six, with margins that range from substantial to staggering.

Starting with multi-core workloads, the gap is enormous. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7543P scores 5713 against the i7-1260P's 1626, a 251.4% advantage. That pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multi-core, where AMD posts 23806 versus Intel's 5874, a 305.3% lead. The most extreme result comes in Cinebench R23 multi-core: the EPYC 7543P hits 56683 while the i7-1260P manages only 9711, a 483.7% difference. These numbers reflect the fundamental purpose of each chip: the EPYC is built to crush sustained parallel workloads, and the data confirms it.

Single-core results are also heavily in AMD's favor, which may surprise given the i7-1260P's higher boost clock. In Cinebench R15 single-core, the EPYC 7543P scores 806 versus the i7-1260P's 243, a 231.7% lead. Cinebench R20 single-core shows 3360 against 829, a 305.3% margin. Cinebench R23 single-core records 8002 versus 1737.5, a 360.5% difference. The Intel part does have a higher listed boost clock of 4.70 GHz compared to 3.70 GHz on the AMD, but the benchmark outcomes suggest that clock speed alone does not translate into measured performance here. The Zen 3 architecture on the EPYC delivers far higher per-thread scores in these tests.

What is notable is the overall database percentile. Both CPUs sit at the 70th percentile against all CPUs, meaning they are statistically comparable in overall standing despite the head-to-head blowout. The EPYC 7543P has an average benchmark score of 16395, while the i7-1260P averages 17007. The Intel part actually edges ahead in aggregate average score, which reflects its broader benchmark suite including PassMark and 3DMark tests not run on the AMD chip. But in the Cinebench tests that both share, the EPYC 7543P dominates without exception.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The AMD EPYC 7543P belongs to the EPYC 7003 series, built on Zen 3 architecture with the codename Milan. It uses a 7 nm process from TSMC, packing 33,200 million transistors across eight 81 mm² dies. The Intel Core i7-1260P uses Alder Lake architecture, specifically Alder Lake-P, on Intel's 10 nm process with a single 217 mm² die. Intel does not list transistor counts in the database, so that comparison cannot be quantified.

Core and thread counts differ dramatically. The EPYC 7543P offers 32 cores and 64 threads, while the i7-1260P has 12 cores and 16 threads. The EPYC's base clock is 2.80 GHz with a boost of 3.70 GHz. The i7-1260P starts lower at 2.10 GHz base but boosts higher to 4.70 GHz. Despite the Intel part's higher boost ceiling, the AMD chip wins every shared benchmark, indicating that core count and architecture efficiency outweigh raw clock speed in these tests.

Cache configurations also diverge sharply. The EPYC 7543P has 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a massive 256 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-1260P carries 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and only 18 MB of shared L3. For workloads that benefit from large cache pools, the EPYC's 256 MB L3 is a decisive structural advantage, and the benchmark results reflect that.

Memory support and PCIe lanes further separate the two. The EPYC 7543P uses DDR4 with an eight-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth, plus ECC support. The i7-1260P supports both DDR4 and DDR5 but runs dual-channel, with no memory bandwidth figure listed and no ECC capability. The EPYC provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, while the i7-1260P offers only 20 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. The EPYC also has no integrated graphics, whereas the i7-1260P includes Iris Xe 96EU. The sockets are entirely different: AMD Socket SP3 for the EPYC, Intel BGA 1744 for the mobile part.

The Verdict

The data directs a clear split. The AMD EPYC 7543P is the choice for anyone running heavy multi-threaded server or workstation workloads. Its 32 cores, 64 threads, 256 MB L3 cache, eight-channel DDR4 memory, and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes make it a purpose-built compute engine. The Cinebench multi-core margins, ranging from 251.4% to 483.7% over the i7-1260P, are the strongest evidence in the database.

The Intel Core i7-1260P, however, is a mobile processor with a 28 TDP and integrated Iris Xe graphics. It is designed for laptops and compact systems where power draw and physical footprint matter more than raw throughput. Its average benchmark score of 17007 is actually higher than the EPYC's 16395, and its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7742, Ryzen 5 3600, and Core i5-11400, placing it in a different performance neighborhood overall.

If the task is running Cinebench-style rendering or similar heavily threaded workloads, the EPYC 7543P is the only rational pick from this data. If the task is general mobile computing with modest power limits, the i7-1260P is the intended part. There is no overlap in use case; the benchmark results simply confirm the obvious architectural split.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD EPYC 7543P | Intel Core i7-1260P |

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

| Cores | 32 | 12 |

| Threads | 64 | 16 |

| Base clock | 2.80 GHz | 2.10 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.70 GHz | 4.70 GHz |

| TDP | 225 W | 28 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Alder Lake |

| Process node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Die size | 8x 81 mm² | 217 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1.25 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 256 MB (shared) | 18 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Eight-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | Not listed |

| ECC memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 lanes | Gen 4, 20 lanes |

| Integrated graphics | None | Iris Xe 96EU |

| Market segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release date | 2021-03-14 | 2022-02-22 |

| Launch MSRP | $2730 | Not listed |

FAQ

Q: Which CPU has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7543P has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core i7-1260P has 12 cores and 16 threads.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The EPYC 7543P has 256 MB of shared L3 cache. The i7-1260P has 18 MB of shared L3 cache.

Q: Does the Intel part support ECC memory?

A: No. The i7-1260P does not support ECC memory, while the EPYC 7543P does.

Q: What is the biggest benchmark margin between the two?

A: Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the largest gap, with the EPYC 7543P scoring 56683 versus 9711 for the i7-1260P, a 483.7% difference.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-1260P includes Iris Xe 96EU integrated graphics. The AMD EPYC 7543P has no integrated graphics.

Q: Are both CPUs at the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are at the 70th percentile against all CPUs, despite their very different benchmark results in shared tests.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7543P wins every shared benchmark in the database. All six Cinebench tests, both multi-core and single-core, go to the EPYC with margins from 231.7% to 483.7%. That makes it the definitive choice for rendering, simulation, database workloads, virtualization, or any task that scales with core count and cache size. The 32-core layout, 64 threads, and 256 MB L3 cache are structural advantages that no clock speed on the Intel part can overcome in these measurements. The EPYC also supports ECC memory and eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, which matters for data integrity and memory-heavy server workloads.

The Intel Core i7-1260P wins in portability and power efficiency. Its 28 W TDP is a fraction of the EPYC's 225 W, making it suitable for thin-and-light laptops and fanless designs. It includes Iris Xe 96EU graphics, so a discrete GPU is not required for basic display output. It supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering flexibility in system design. Its average benchmark score of 17007 is higher than the EPYC's 16395, and its nearest rivals include the AMD EPYC 7742 and Ryzen 5 3600, indicating that in broader mixed workloads, the i7-1260P holds its own despite losing every head-to-head Cinebench test. The 12-core, 16-thread configuration with a 4.70 GHz boost clock gives it solid responsiveness for everyday computing and light productivity tasks, but the database shows no benchmark where it beats the EPYC 7543P directly.

In practical terms, these CPUs do not compete for the same buyer. The EPYC 7543P is a server-class part with a $2730 launch MSRP, designed for socketed workstation or datacenter boards. The i7-1260P is a mobile chip soldered to a laptop motherboard. If the workload is multi-threaded rendering or heavy server processing, the EPYC wins outright. If the workload is mobile computing with modest power limits and integrated graphics, the i7-1260P is the only one of the two that fits that form factor. The data does not suggest any scenario where the i7-1260P outperforms the EPYC in the tests they share, so the decision rests entirely on platform requirements and usage context.