AMD EPYC 7552 vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a decisive result: the AMD EPYC 7552 wins all four recorded head-to-head comparisons, with the Ryzen 5 5500U trailing by significant margins in every test. The largest gap appears in Cinebench R23 multi-core, where the EPYC 7552 scores 48,801 against the Ryzen 5 5500U's 7,186, a delta of -85.3% for the mobile chip. This means the EPYC delivers roughly 6.8 times the multi-threaded rendering performance, a gap that directly reflects the core count disparity: 48 cores and 96 threads versus 6 cores and 12 threads.

Single-core results tell a similar story, though the margin narrows slightly. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the EPYC 7552 posts 6,889 while the Ryzen 5 5500U manages 1,172, a delta of -83%. The EPYC's higher base clock of 2.20 GHz versus 2.10 GHz, combined with its larger per-core L1 cache (96 KB versus 64 KB), likely contributes to this advantage. The Cinebench R15 results follow the same pattern: the EPYC wins multi-core with 4,919 to 1,247 (-74.6%) and single-core with 694 to 177 (-74.5%).

The data shows no benchmark where the Ryzen 5 5500U outperforms the EPYC 7552. Even in tests that typically favor lower-power parts, such as single-threaded workloads, the EPYC maintains a commanding lead. The Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 3.30 GHz does not translate into a win, indicating that architectural efficiencies and cache hierarchy play a larger role than raw clock speed in these workloads.

The Verdict

The verdict is unambiguous from the recorded measurements: the AMD EPYC 7552 is the superior processor for any workload that leverages multiple cores or even single-thread performance. Its 48-core, 96-thread configuration delivers roughly 6.8 times the multi-core Cinebench R23 score of the Ryzen 5 5500U, and it also leads by 83% in single-core R23. The Ryzen 5 5500U, with its 6 cores and 12 threads, is not competitive in any benchmark where both parts were tested.

For a user deciding between these two, the choice depends entirely on the intended use case. The EPYC 7552 targets server and workstation environments, as evidenced by its 200 W TDP, eight-channel memory bus, and 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes. It is designed for sustained, high-throughput computing. The Ryzen 5 5500U, at 15 W TDP and with integrated Radeon Graphics, targets thin-and-light mobile devices where energy efficiency and portability matter more than raw performance.

The data suggests that anyone needing maximum compute density should choose the EPYC 7552. Anyone constrained by power and physical space, such as in a laptop, has no real alternative in this comparison, as the EPYC cannot operate within a 15 W thermal envelope. The Ryzen 5 5500U's percentile rank of 69 versus the EPYC's 68 indicates that both are mid-pack performers relative to all CPUs in the database, but the absolute scores show the EPYC is in a different performance class.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Zen 2 architecture and are fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process node, but they diverge significantly in implementation. The Ryzen 5 5500U uses the Lucienne codename and fits the mobile segment with an AMD Socket FP6, while the EPYC 7552 uses the Rome codename, targets server/workstation workloads, and uses AMD Socket SP3. The transistor counts differ dramatically: the Ryzen 5 5500U integrates 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die, whereas the EPYC 7552 uses 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, indicating a chiplet-based design for the EPYC where multiple smaller dies are packaged together.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The Ryzen 5 5500U offers 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The EPYC 7552 provides 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a massive 192 MB shared L3. This 24-fold difference in L3 capacity directly benefits the EPYC in workloads with large working sets or heavy data reuse, such as database queries or virtualized environments.

Memory support also separates the two. Both support DDR4, but the Ryzen 5 5500U uses a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the EPYC 7552 uses an eight-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, a fourfold increase. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the Ryzen offers Gen 3 with 12 CPU lanes, while the EPYC offers Gen 4 with 128 CPU lanes, a significant expansion for server I/O. The EPYC has no integrated graphics, whereas the Ryzen includes Radeon Graphics with 448 shader processors.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7552 has 48 cores and 96 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How much faster is the EPYC 7552 in multi-core Cinebench R23?

A: The EPYC 7552 scores 48,801 versus the Ryzen 5 5500U's 7,186, which is a delta of -85.3% for the Ryzen, meaning the EPYC is approximately 6.8 times faster.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 5500U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Radeon Graphics with 448 shader processors. The EPYC 7552 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory bandwidth does each processor support?

A: The Ryzen 5 5500U supports dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s, while the EPYC 7552 supports eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The EPYC 7552 supports ECC memory, while the Ryzen 5 5500U does not.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the EPYC 7552?

A: The launch MSRP is $4025.

Where Each One Wins

The EPYC 7552 wins in every benchmark category recorded: multi-core rendering, single-core rendering, and all Cinebench iterations. Its strengths are most pronounced in multi-threaded workloads, where the 48-core configuration delivers a 6.8-fold advantage in Cinebench R23 multi-core. This makes it the clear choice for server virtualization, large-scale data processing, scientific computing, and any workload that can utilize dozens of threads. The eight-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth further support memory-intensive applications, while 192 MB of L3 cache reduces latency for frequently accessed data.

The Ryzen 5 5500U has no benchmark wins, but its design priorities point to a different set of use cases. Its 15 W TDP and integrated Radeon Graphics make it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where power efficiency and battery life are critical. The dual-channel memory bus and Gen 3 PCIe are sufficient for typical mobile workloads such as productivity applications, web browsing, and light content creation. Its boost clock of 4.00 GHz, while not enough to beat the EPYC in single-core tests, still provides responsive performance for interactive tasks.

For a user building a workstation or server, the EPYC 7552 is the only rational choice based on the data. For a user seeking a mobile processor, the Ryzen 5 5500U offers a functional platform, but it cannot match the EPYC's absolute performance. The choice is not about which is better in general, but which fits the physical and thermal constraints of the system.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. Core and thread counts: 6 cores/12 threads for the Ryzen 5 5500U versus 48 cores/96 threads for the EPYC 7552. Base clocks are close (2.10 GHz versus 2.20 GHz), but boost clocks favor the Ryzen (4.00 GHz versus 3.30 GHz). TDP is a major divergence: 15 W versus 200 W. Sockets differ: FP6 versus SP3. L1 cache per core is 64 KB versus 96 KB; L2 is identical at 512 KB per core; L3 is 8 MB versus 192 MB. Memory bandwidth is 51.2 GB/s versus 204.8 GB/s, and memory channels are dual versus eight. ECC support is absent on the Ryzen and present on the EPYC. PCIe generation and lanes differ: Gen 3 with 12 lanes versus Gen 4 with 128 lanes. Integrated graphics exist only on the Ryzen. The transistor counts differ (9,800 million versus 3,800 million) as do die sizes (156 mm² versus 74 mm²), reflecting different packaging strategies. The Ryzen was released on 2021-01-11, the EPYC on 2019-08-06. The EPYC has a launch MSRP of $4025, while the Ryzen has no recorded launch MSRP.