AMD EPYC 7543P vs Intel Core Ultra 5 115U Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U and the AMD EPYC 7543P occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum. The data shows a complete sweep for the AMD server processor across all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, but the nature of those wins reveals a clear division of purpose. The Core Ultra 5 115U is a mobile processor with integrated graphics and modest power characteristics, while the EPYC 7543P is a server/workstation part with 32 cores and a massive cache. The benchmark results indicate that the selection between these two depends entirely on the workload environment, not on any measure of general competitiveness.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7543P wins every single benchmark where both processors have recorded scores. The six head-to-head comparisons are all Cinebench tests, covering both single-core and multi-core rendering workloads. In multi-core tests, the EPYC 7543P's advantage is enormous: it scores 5,713 versus 1,094 in Cinebench R15 multi-core, 23,806 versus 4,559 in R20 multi-core, and 56,683 versus 10,855 in R23 multi-core. Each of these represents a delta of roughly -80.8% or -80.9% from the perspective of the Intel part, meaning the EPYC is over five times faster in these rendering tasks.

The single-core results follow the same pattern. The EPYC 7543P records 806 in Cinebench R15 single-core against the Intel's 154, 3,360 versus 643 in R20 single-core, and 8,002 versus 1,532 in R23 single-core. Again, the delta is approximately -80.9% for the Intel part. This consistency across both single-threaded and multi-threaded tests suggests the EPYC's advantage stems from its architectural design, not just its core count. The EPYC 7543P has a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz, while the Core Ultra 5 115U has a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Despite the Intel part's higher boost clock, the EPYC still dominates single-core workloads, indicating that its Zen 3 architecture delivers more instructions per clock in these tests.

The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has no benchmark wins in the recorded data. Its strengths are not visible in performance scores but in its feature set: it includes integrated Arc Xe-LPG graphics, supports DDR5 memory, and has a thermal design power (TDP) of 15 watts. The EPYC 7543P has no integrated graphics and a TDP of 225 watts. The Intel part is designed for mobile devices where power consumption and integrated graphics matter. The EPYC is designed for server racks where raw throughput and memory bandwidth dominate.

The Verdict

The data supports only one conclusion for raw compute performance: the AMD EPYC 7543P is categorically superior in every measured benchmark. Its smallest margin of victory is still over 80% ahead of the Intel part in single-core Cinebench R23. For anyone running Cinebench-style rendering workloads, the EPYC 7543P is the only rational choice from this pair.

However, the choice is not purely about performance. The Core Ultra 5 115U is a mobile processor with a 15-watt TDP, integrated Arc Xe-LPG graphics, and DDR5 memory support. The EPYC 7543P is a server processor with a 225-watt TDP, no integrated graphics, and DDR4 memory support. These are different products for different physical environments. The Intel part fits in thin-and-light laptops or compact mini-PCs. The AMD part requires a server motherboard with Socket SP3 and substantial cooling.

The recorded data shows the EPYC 7543P holds a 70th percentile ranking among all CPUs, and the Core Ultra 5 115U also holds a 70th percentile ranking. This is a statistical artifact of the different comparison pools; the mobile processor competes against other mobile and low-power parts, while the server processor competes against the entire CPU database. The average benchmark scores tell a different story: the Intel part averages 16,753 across all its recorded benchmarks, while the EPYC averages 16,395 across its six Cinebench records. The Intel part has more recorded benchmarks, including PassMark tests, which pull its average up. The EPYC's average is based solely on Cinebench scores, which are lower in absolute terms than PassMark's multi-test averages.

For a user who needs a processor for a laptop or an always-on portable workstation, the Core Ultra 5 115U is the only viable option from this pair. For a user who needs a processor for a server, a rendering farm, or a heavy compute node, the EPYC 7543P is the only option that makes sense. The performance gap is so wide that no software optimization or workload adjustment could make the Intel part competitive in the EPYC's domain.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The six head-to-head benchmarks are all Cinebench tests, and the EPYC 7543P wins all of them. The largest absolute margin is in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the EPYC scores 56,683 against the Intel's 10,855. That is a difference of 45,828 points. In percentage terms, the Intel part trails by 80.8%. This is the flagship multi-threaded rendering test in the database, and the result is decisive.

In Cinebench R20 multi-core, the EPYC scores 23,806 versus 4,559, a delta of -80.8%. In R15 multi-core, the scores are 5,713 versus 1,094, a delta of -80.9%. The consistency of these percentages, all hovering around -80.8% or -80.9%, indicates that the relative performance gap does not change with the test version. The EPYC is simply about five times faster in multi-core rendering across all three Cinebench generations.

The single-core tests show the same relative gap. Cinebench R15 single-core: EPYC 806, Intel 154, delta -80.9%. R20 single-core: EPYC 3,360, Intel 643, delta -80.9%. R23 single-core: EPYC 8,002, Intel 1,532, delta -80.9%. The identical delta percentages across all six tests suggest a consistent architectural efficiency difference. The EPYC's Zen 3 cores, operating at a lower boost clock than the Intel part, still deliver over five times the single-threaded performance in these Cinebench workloads.

The nearest rivals for each processor provide context. The Core Ultra 5 115U sits within 0.6% of the Intel Core i3-12100E, 0.5% behind the AMD Ryzen 3 8440U, 0.4% behind the AMD Ryzen 3 7335U, and 0.1% behind the Intel Core i5-1235U. These are all mainstream mobile or low-power desktop parts. The EPYC 7543P sits within 1.2% of the Intel Core i7-10850H, 1% behind the Intel Core i5-10600KF, 0.5% ahead of the Intel Core i7-1260U, and 0.3% ahead of the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H. These rivals are a mix of older desktop and mobile parts, but the EPYC's average benchmark score of 16,395 is lower than the Intel part's average of 16,753. This is because the EPYC's average is computed only from its six Cinebench scores, while the Intel part has 17 recorded benchmarks including PassMark tests that produce higher raw numbers.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The AMD EPYC 7543P is faster, scoring 56,683 versus the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U's 10,855. The Intel part trails by 80.8%.

Q: Does the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U win any benchmark against the EPYC 7543P?

A: No. The recorded head-to-head data shows the EPYC 7543P winning all six Cinebench tests. The Intel part has zero wins in the head-to-head comparison.

Q: What is the single-core performance difference in Cinebench R23?

A: The EPYC 7543P scores 8,002 in Cinebench R23 single-core, while the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U scores 1,532. This is a delta of -80.9% for the Intel part.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U includes Arc Xe-LPG 48EU integrated graphics. The AMD EPYC 7543P has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U supports DDR5 memory (dependent on motherboard) with dual-channel bus and 89.6 GB/s bandwidth. The AMD EPYC 7543P supports DDR4 memory with eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U has an average benchmark score of 16,753 across 17 recorded tests. The AMD EPYC 7543P has an average of 16,395 across its six Cinebench tests. Both processors rank in the 70th percentile among all CPUs.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from entirely different design philosophies. The Intel Core Ultra 5 115U uses the Meteor Lake architecture, built on a 7 nm process by Intel. It has 8 cores and 10 threads, with a base clock of 1.50 GHz and a boost clock of 4.20 GHz. Its cache hierarchy consists of 112 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 10 MB of shared L3 cache. The memory bus is dual-channel with 89.6 GB/s bandwidth, supporting DDR5. The processor includes Arc Xe-LPG 48EU integrated graphics and provides PCIe Gen 4 with 12 lanes. It is a mobile processor with a 15-watt TDP and uses the Intel BGA 2049 socket.

The AMD EPYC 7543P uses the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Milan, manufactured by TSMC on a 7 nm process. It has 32 cores and 64 threads, with a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.70 GHz. The cache configuration is substantially different: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 256 MB of shared L3 cache. This 256 MB L3 is a defining feature for server workloads. The memory bus is eight-channel with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, supporting DDR4 with ECC. The processor has no integrated graphics and provides PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes. It is a server/workstation part with a 225-watt TDP and uses the AMD Socket SP3.

The transistor count and die size are only listed for the EPYC 7543P: 33,200 million transistors across 8 dies of 81 mm² each. The Intel part does not have these figures in the database. The EPYC's multi-die design with 256 MB of L3 cache explains its dominance in rendering workloads that benefit from large shared caches.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors, based on the recorded data:

• Cores: Intel 8, AMD 32
• Threads: Intel 10, AMD 64
• Base clock: Intel 1.50 GHz, AMD 2.80 GHz
• Boost clock: Intel 4.20 GHz, AMD 3.70 GHz
• TDP: Intel 15 watts, AMD 225 watts
• Socket: Intel BGA 2049, AMD Socket SP3
• L1 cache: Intel 112 KB per core, AMD 64 KB per core
• L2 cache: Intel 2 MB per core, AMD 512 KB per core
• L3 cache: Intel 10 MB shared, AMD 256 MB shared
• Memory support: Intel DDR5, AMD DDR4
• Memory bus: Intel dual-channel, AMD eight-channel
• Memory bandwidth: Intel 89.6 GB/s, AMD 204.8 GB/s
• ECC memory: Intel no, AMD yes
• PCIe lanes: Intel 12, AMD 128
• Integrated graphics: Intel Arc Xe-LPG 48EU, AMD none
• Market segment: Intel mobile, AMD server/workstation
• Release date: Intel 2023-12-13, AMD 2021-03-14
• Foundry: Intel, TSMC
• Transistors: Intel not recorded, AMD 33,200 million
• Die size: Intel not recorded, AMD 8x 81 mm²
• Part number: Intel SRN6F, AMD 100-000000341100-100000341WOF
• Launch MSRP: Intel not recorded, AMD $2730 (stated once as launch MSRP)