AMD EPYC 7551 vs Intel Core i5-13500E Comparison

The Intel Core i5-13500E and AMD EPYC 7551 represent two distinct design philosophies: a 14-core desktop processor from Intel's Raptor Lake generation versus a 32-core server chip built on AMD's Zen architecture. Benchmark data from the database shows the Intel part winning all six recorded Cinebench tests, despite the AMD chip's higher core count and thread count. This analysis examines the architecture, specifications, and benchmark results to determine where each processor excels, using only the recorded measurements.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7551 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core i5-13500E has 14 cores and 20 threads.

Q: Which CPU wins in multi-core Cinebench tests?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500E wins all three multi-core tests, with a 3.1% lead in Cinebench R15, R20, and R23.

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

A: Intel wins all three single-core tests, with deltas of 2.9% in R15, 3.1% in R20, and 3% in R23.

Q: What memory types do they support?

A: The Intel chip supports DDR4 and DDR5, while the AMD chip supports only DDR4.

Q: Do both support ECC memory?

A: Yes, both processors have ECC memory support.

Q: What is the TDP of each processor?

A: The Intel Core i5-13500E has a 65W TDP, while the AMD EPYC 7551 has a 180W TDP.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-13500E is built on Intel's 10 nm process at Intel's foundry, with a die size of 215 mm². It uses the Raptor Lake architecture and has 14 cores and 20 threads. Its cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 24 MB of shared L3. It supports DDR4 and DDR5 memory over a dual-channel bus, and includes PCIe Gen 5 with 16 lanes. It also has integrated UHD Graphics 770.

The AMD EPYC 7551 uses GlobalFoundries' 14 nm process, with a die size of 213 mm² and 4,800 million transistors. It is based on the Zen architecture (codename Naples) and has 32 cores and 64 threads. Its cache includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. It supports DDR4 memory over an eight-channel bus with a bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s, and uses PCIe Gen 3. It has no integrated graphics.

The two chips differ fundamentally in process node, core count, cache layout, memory channels, and PCIe generation. Intel's 10 nm process and newer architecture deliver higher clock speeds, while AMD's 14 nm process and larger core count target throughput-oriented workloads. The Intel part also includes an integrated GPU, which the AMD chip lacks entirely.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded Cinebench results show a consistent Intel advantage across all six tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the Intel Core i5-13500E scores 2295 against the AMD EPYC 7551's 2227, a 3.1% lead. In single-core, Intel scores 323 versus 314, a 2.9% advantage. The R20 multi-core test shows Intel at 9564 and AMD at 9280, again a 3.1% margin. R20 single-core follows the same pattern: Intel 1349, AMD 1309, a 3.1% lead. In R23 multi-core, Intel scores 22772 and AMD 22096, a 3.1% difference. Finally, R23 single-core has Intel at 3214 and AMD at 3119, a 3% edge.

The data shows Intel winning all six tests, with the largest margin being 3.1% in four of them. The smallest margin is 2.9% in R15 single-core. This consistency suggests that the Intel chip's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz, compared to AMD's 3.00 GHz, plays a decisive role in these workloads. Despite AMD's 32 cores versus Intel's 14, the Intel part maintains a lead in every recorded benchmark, indicating that per-core performance and clock speed outweigh raw core count in these tests.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every major specification field. The Intel Core i5-13500E has 14 cores and 20 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7551 has 32 cores and 64 threads. Base clocks are 2.40 GHz for Intel and 2000.00 MHz (2.00 GHz) for AMD. Boost clocks are 4.60 GHz and 3.00 GHz, respectively. TDP is 65W for Intel and 180W for AMD. Sockets differ: Intel Socket 1700 versus AMD Socket SP3. Architecture is Raptor Lake versus Zen, with codenames Raptor Lake-S and Naples. Process nodes are 10 nm (Intel) and 14 nm (GlobalFoundries). Transistor count is listed only for AMD at 4,800 million; Intel's is not recorded. Die sizes are 215 mm² for Intel and 213 mm² for AMD.

Cache configurations differ: Intel has 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 24 MB shared L3. AMD has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 and DDR5 for Intel, DDR4 only for AMD. Memory bus is dual-channel for Intel and eight-channel for AMD, with AMD's bandwidth recorded at 170.6 GB/s. PCIe is Gen 5 with 16 lanes for Intel, Gen 3 for AMD. Integrated graphics are present on Intel (UHD Graphics 770) and absent on AMD. Market segments are Desktop for Intel and Server/Workstation for AMD. Release dates are 2023-01-03 for Intel and 2017-06-28 for AMD. The multiplier is unlocked on AMD but not on Intel. Part numbers are SRMFW for Intel and PS7551BDVIHAF for AMD.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded benchmark data, the Intel Core i5-13500E wins in every Cinebench test, both single-core and multi-core. This gives Intel a clean sweep of all six head-to-head comparisons. The AMD EPYC 7551 does not win any of the recorded tests. However, the AMD chip offers a higher core count (32 versus 14) and thread count (64 versus 20), along with a larger shared L3 cache (64 MB versus 24 MB) and higher memory bandwidth (170.6 GB/s versus no recorded figure for Intel). These attributes may benefit workloads that are not represented in the Cinebench suite, but the data shows Intel ahead in all measured scenarios.

For single-core performance, Intel's advantage is clear: 2.9% to 3.1% across the three Cinebench versions. For multi-core, the margin is consistently 3.1%. The Intel chip's higher boost clock and newer architecture appear to drive these results. The AMD chip's strengths lie in its core count and memory subsystem, which could be relevant for highly parallel server tasks, but the recorded benchmarks do not reflect that advantage.

The Verdict

The data points to the Intel Core i5-13500E as the superior performer in the recorded Cinebench tests. It wins all six benchmarks, with margins ranging from 2.9% to 3.1%. For users prioritizing single-threaded and multi-threaded performance as measured by Cinebench, the Intel chip is the clear choice. The AMD EPYC 7551, despite its higher core count and thread count, loses every test, indicating that its design does not translate to wins in these specific workloads.

The AMD chip may still be relevant for server or workstation environments where its 32 cores, 64 threads, and 170.6 GB/s memory bandwidth are more valuable than the benchmark results suggest. However, strictly from the recorded data, the Intel Core i5-13500E is the better performer. Its lower TDP of 65W versus 180W also makes it a more power-efficient option, though the database does not provide direct power consumption measurements. The verdict is straightforward: for Cinebench-style workloads, choose the Intel Core i5-13500E. For workloads that leverage extreme core counts and memory bandwidth, the AMD EPYC 7551 may have a role, but the benchmark evidence favors Intel.