AMD EPYC 7573X vs Intel Core i3-12100E Comparison

# AMD EPYC 7573X vs Intel Core i3-12100E

The AMD EPYC 7573X and Intel Core i3-12100E represent two extreme ends of the processor market, one a 32-core server monster with 3D V-Cache and the other a modest 4-core desktop part. The database records show an average benchmark score of 17070 for the EPYC 7573X and 16853 for the Core i3-12100E, placing both near the 71st and 70th percentiles of all CPUs respectively. Despite the similar averages, the head-to-head results tell a story of complete dominance in one direction. The EPYC 7573X wins all six recorded benchmark comparisons, with deltas ranging from 410.6% to 411.6% across Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests. This is not a close contest by any metric, and the data raises questions about what makes these two processors so different in performance despite their comparable aggregate scores.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench suite provides the only directly comparable measurements between these two processors. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7573X scores 5948 against the i3-12100E's 1164, a delta of 411%. The single-core R15 test shows 839 versus 164, a delta of 411.6%. Moving to Cinebench R20, the multi-core result is 24787 for the EPYC and 4854 for the i3, a 410.7% gap, while single-core yields 3499 versus 685, a 410.8% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core records 59017 against 11559, a 410.6% delta, and single-core shows 8331 versus 1631, a 410.8% delta.

The consistency of these deltas, hovering around 411% across all six tests, suggests a fundamental scaling relationship rather than workload-specific advantages. The multi-core tests show the EPYC's 32 cores and 64 threads crushing the i3's 4 cores and 8 threads, but the single-core tests are equally lopsided. This is surprising because the i3-12100E has a higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz compared to the EPYC's 3.60 GHz, and a higher base clock of 3.20 GHz versus 2.80 GHz. Yet the EPYC still wins single-core Cinebench by over 400%. The data implies that the EPYC's Zen 3 architecture with its massive 768 MB shared L3 cache provides superior per-thread performance despite lower clock speeds. The i3's Alder Lake architecture, while modern, cannot overcome the clock disadvantage combined with the EPYC's cache advantage.

The EPYC's average benchmark score of 17070 is nearly identical to the i3's 16853, differing by only 1.3%. This occurs because the i3 has additional benchmark results in Geekbench and Passmark that the EPYC lacks, and these scores bring the i3's average up. The EPYC's six Cinebench scores alone produce an average of approximately 17070, while the i3's 19 benchmark scores include strong Passmark results like 40885 in integer math and 31919 in floating-point math. These Passmark numbers, while impressive for a desktop chip, do not appear in the head-to-head comparison. The recorded data shows that when only the common Cinebench tests are considered, the EPYC is overwhelmingly faster, but the broader benchmark database places these processors in similar percentiles.

Architecture Differences

The EPYC 7573X is built on TSMC's 7 nm process with 33,200 million transistors across 8 chiplets, each measuring 81 mm². It uses the Zen 3 architecture codenamed Milan-X, part of the EPYC 7003 series, and fits into AMD Socket SP3. The i3-12100E uses Intel's 10 nm process with a monolithic 163 mm² die, Alder Lake architecture, and Intel Socket 1700. The process node difference is significant: 7 nm versus 10 nm gives AMD a density and efficiency advantage, though the EPYC's 280 W TDP dwarfs the i3's 60 W TDP.

Cache configurations differ dramatically. The EPYC provides 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and a shared 768 MB L3 cache. The i3 offers 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 12 MB shared L3. The EPYC's L3 cache is 64 times larger than the i3's, a feature enabled by 3D V-Cache technology in the Milan-X design. This massive cache explains why the EPYC wins single-core tests despite lower clocks: more data can reside on-chip, reducing memory latency. The i3's smaller cache forces more frequent access to system memory, penalizing its effective throughput.

Memory support further separates the two. The EPYC uses DDR4 with an eight-channel memory bus and a recorded bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The i3 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 but only has a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth figure recorded. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, while the i3 does not. PCIe connectivity differs as well: the EPYC offers Gen 4 with 128 lanes, while the i3 provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes. The i3 includes integrated UHD Graphics 730, while the EPYC has no integrated graphics. These differences align with their market segments: the EPYC targets server and workstation workloads requiring massive memory bandwidth, ECC reliability, and high lane counts, while the i3 targets desktop users who may benefit from integrated graphics and newer PCIe generation.

Where Each One Wins

The data shows the EPYC 7573X wins every recorded benchmark comparison, so the "where each one wins" section requires examining the broader benchmark database and architectural capabilities rather than head-to-head results. In the six Cinebench tests, the EPYC wins decisively. But the i3 has recorded scores in Geekbench and Passmark that the EPYC lacks, and these reveal its strengths. In Geekbench multi-core, the i3 scores 7661, and in single-core it scores 2202. In Passmark, the i3 achieves 160112 in data compression, 8069 in data encryption, 10814 in extended instructions, 63 in prime numbers, 31919 in floating-point math, 40885 in integer math, 14271 in multithread, 1185 in physics, 16089 in random string sorting, and 3438 in single-thread tests.

The i3's Passmark integer math score of 40885 is particularly notable for a 4-core processor. Its data compression score of 160112 indicates strong throughput for workloads like file archiving. The i3's 3438 single-thread Passmark score, combined with its 4.20 GHz boost clock, suggests it handles lightly threaded applications efficiently. However, the EPYC's single-core Cinebench scores are over 400% higher, so these Passmark numbers do not translate to superiority in the commonly used Cinebench workloads.

The EPYC's wins come from its core count, thread count, cache size, and memory bandwidth. For multi-threaded server workloads like virtualization, database processing, scientific computing, and content rendering, the EPYC's 32 cores and 64 threads provide 8 times the parallelism of the i3. Its 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth supports data-intensive operations that would starve the i3's dual-channel configuration. The 768 MB L3 cache allows the EPYC to hold entire working sets on-chip, reducing memory traffic and improving throughput for repeated access patterns.

The i3's wins, while not present in the head-to-head data, would logically appear in power-sensitive desktop scenarios. Its 60 W TDP versus the EPYC's 280 W TDP means lower cooling requirements and energy consumption. Its integrated graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU in basic desktop systems. Its support for DDR5 memory, even if not recorded with a bandwidth figure, offers future compatibility. For single-socket desktop builds where the user prioritizes low power, small form factor, and integrated graphics, the i3 provides a functional platform, but the benchmark data shows it cannot match the EPYC in raw compute performance.

The Verdict

Based on the recorded data, the AMD EPYC 7573X is the superior processor for any workload captured by Cinebench R15, R20, or R23. It wins all six head-to-head tests with deltas above 410%. For users requiring maximum multi-threaded performance, the EPYC's 32 cores, 64 threads, and 768 MB L3 cache deliver results that the i3-12100E cannot approach. The EPYC also wins single-core tests despite lower clock speeds, indicating that its architectural efficiency and cache design provide better per-thread performance.

The Intel Core i3-12100E, however, has its place in the broader benchmark database. Its average benchmark score of 16853, derived from 19 tests including Geekbench and Passmark, shows it performs competitively in workloads those tests represent. For desktop users who need integrated graphics, support for both DDR4 and DDR5, PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, and a 60 W TDP, the i3 offers a practical solution. The EPYC requires a server platform with Socket SP3, eight-channel memory, and no integrated graphics, which suits data center deployments but not typical desktop use.

The choice depends entirely on the use case. The EPYC is for server and workstation environments where the 280 W TDP and $5590 launch MSRP are acceptable trade-offs for 32 cores, 64 threads, and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth. The i3, with its $125 launch MSRP and 60 W TDP, serves desktop users who value low power and integrated graphics. The benchmark data does not support any scenario where the i3 outperforms the EPYC in Cinebench, but the i3's additional benchmark scores in Geekbench and Passmark show it handles a variety of tasks adequately for its market segment.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more head-to-head benchmarks?

A: The AMD EPYC 7573X wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core i3-12100E. The EPYC's wins cover Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests.

Q: What is the largest performance gap between the two processors?

A: The largest delta is 411.6% in Cinebench R15 single-core, where the EPYC scores 839 against the i3's 164. The other five tests show deltas between 410.6% and 411%, making the gaps remarkably consistent.

Q: Does the Intel Core i3-12100E have any integrated graphics?

A: Yes, the i3-12100E includes UHD Graphics 730. The AMD EPYC 7573X has no integrated graphics, requiring a discrete GPU for display output.

Q: How do the memory bandwidth capabilities compare?

A: The EPYC 7573X supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with a recorded bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. The i3-12100E supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5 memory, but no bandwidth figure is recorded in the database.

Q: What is the difference in cache size?

A: The EPYC 7573X has 768 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i3-12100E has 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC's L3 is 64 times larger, which contributes to its single-core performance advantage despite lower clock speeds.

Q: Are both processors currently in production?

A: Yes, both the AMD EPYC 7573X and Intel Core i3-12100E have an active production status according to the database.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7573X | Intel Core i3-12100E |

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

| Cores | 32 | 4 |

| Threads | 64 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.80 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.60 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 280 W | 60 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 3 | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Milan-X | Alder Lake-S |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 33,200 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 8x 81 mm² | 163 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 64 KB per core | 80 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB per core | 1.25 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 768 MB shared | 12 MB shared |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Eight-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 204.8 GB/s | Not recorded |

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4, 128 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2022-03-21 | 2022-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | $5590 | $125 |

| Part Number | 100-000000506WOF | SRL6U |

| Percentile vs All CPUs | 71 | 70 |

| Avg Benchmark Score | 17070 | 16853 |

| Wins in Head-to-Head | 6 | 0 |