AMD EPYC 7601 vs Intel Core i5-8250U Comparison

The benchmark data presents a stark contrast between two processors engineered for entirely different purposes. The AMD EPYC 7601, a 32-core server behemoth, utterly dominates the Intel Core i5-8250U, a 15-watt mobile chip, in every single test recorded. The data shows a consistent performance gap of over 500% in the EPYC’s favor across all Cinebench workloads, making any direct comparison a study in scale rather than a competitive contest.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The results are categorical. The AMD EPYC 7601 wins all six head-to-head benchmark comparisons, with the Intel Core i5-8250U failing to secure a single victory. The margins are not incremental; they are generational chasms.

In multi-core workloads, the EPYC 7601 demonstrates its server-class pedigree. In Cinebench R15 multicore, the EPYC scores 3003 against the i5-8250U’s 495, a delta of 506.7%. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20 multicore, where the EPYC scores 12516 versus 2065, a 506.1% difference. The most extreme example is Cinebench R23 multicore, where the EPYC’s 29800 score dwarfs the i5’s 4918, representing a 505.9% advantage. These figures underscore the massive parallel throughput advantage of having 32 cores and 64 threads versus 4 cores and 8 threads.

The single-core results are equally lopsided, which is surprising given that the Intel part has a higher boost clock. The EPYC 7601 records 423 points in Cinebench R15 single-core, while the i5-8250U manages only 69, a delta of 513%. In Cinebench R20 single-core, the scores are 1766 and 291 respectively, a 506.9% gap. Cinebench R23 single-core shows the EPYC at 4207 versus the i5’s 694, a 506.2% difference. This indicates that the Zen architecture’s per-core performance in this specific workload is decisively superior to the Kaby Lake-R implementation, despite the clock speed disparity.

These deltas are significant because they are remarkably consistent, hovering around 506% across all tests. This suggests a fundamental architectural and resource advantage rather than a workload-specific quirk. The EPYC’s average benchmark score of 8619 places it in the 65th percentile of all CPUs, while the i5-8250U’s average of 8577 places it in the 64th percentile. Their nearest rivals are clustered together, with the EPYC 7601 showing a 0.5% delta against the Intel Core i5-8250U and the Intel Core i7-10510U, and a -0.5% delta against the Intel Core i7-8565U.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is vast, reflecting their distinct market segments. The AMD EPYC 7601 is built on the Zen architecture, codenamed Naples, and is part of the EPYC 7001 series. It is manufactured on a 14 nm process at GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 213 mm² and a transistor count of 4,800 million. In contrast, the Intel Core i5-8250U uses the Kaby Lake architecture, codenamed Kaby Lake-R, and is part of the Core i5 (Kaby Lake-U Refresh) generation. It is also on a 14 nm process, but fabricated by Intel, with a smaller die size of 123 mm².

The core and cache configurations could not be more different. The EPYC 7601 packs 32 cores and 64 threads, while the i5-8250U offers just 4 cores and 8 threads. The cache hierarchy reinforces this disparity: the EPYC has 96 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core, with a massive 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The i5-8250U has 64 KB of L1 and 256 KB of L2 per core, but only 6 MB of shared L3 cache.

Memory support is another major differentiator. The EPYC 7601 supports DDR4 memory over an eight-channel bus, delivering a memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. It also supports ECC memory, a critical feature for server reliability. The i5-8250U supports DDR4 memory but has no listed memory bus or bandwidth specification, and it does not support ECC memory.

The EPYC 7601 uses the AMD Socket SP3 and features PCIe Gen 3 connectivity. The i5-8250U is a mobile part on the Intel BGA 1356 socket and has no listed PCIe generation. The EPYC also includes an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-8250U is locked. Finally, the i5-8250U includes integrated graphics (UHD 620), a feature absent from the EPYC 7601, which is expected for a server processor.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core performance?

A: The AMD EPYC 7601 is overwhelmingly faster. In Cinebench R23 multicore, it scores 29800 compared to the Intel Core i5-8250U’s 4918, a 505.9% advantage. The same pattern holds in R15 (3003 vs 495) and R20 (12516 vs 2065).

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-8250U win in any benchmark?

A: No. The head-to-head data shows the AMD EPYC 7601 winning all six tests, with the Intel Core i5-8250U recording zero wins.

Q: What is the difference in core and thread counts?

A: The AMD EPYC 7601 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core i5-8250U has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-8250U has a higher boost clock of 3.40 GHz, compared to the AMD EPYC 7601’s boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The EPYC has a higher base clock of 2.20 GHz versus the i5’s 1600.00 MHz base clock.

Q: Do these processors support ECC memory?

A: Yes, the AMD EPYC 7601 supports ECC memory. The Intel Core i5-8250U does not.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare to their nearest rivals?

A: The AMD EPYC 7601 has an average benchmark score of 8619, with its closest rival being the Intel Core i7-10510U at a 0.5% delta. The Intel Core i5-8250U has an average score of 8577, with its closest rival also being the Intel Core i7-10510U at a 0% delta.

Specification Differences

The following specifications differ between the two processors:

• Cores: AMD EPYC 7601 has 32; Intel Core i5-8250U has 4.
• Threads: AMD EPYC 7601 has 64; Intel Core i5-8250U has 8.
• Base Clock: AMD EPYC 7601 is 2.20 GHz; Intel Core i5-8250U is 1600.00 MHz.
• Boost Clock: AMD EPYC 7601 is 3.20 GHz; Intel Core i5-8250U is 3.40 GHz.
• TDP: AMD EPYC 7601 is 180 W; Intel Core i5-8250U is 15 W.
• Socket: AMD EPYC 7601 uses AMD Socket SP3; Intel Core i5-8250U uses Intel BGA 1356.
• Architecture: AMD EPYC 7601 is Zen; Intel Core i5-8250U is Kaby Lake.
• Codename: AMD EPYC 7601 is Naples; Intel Core i5-8250U is Kaby Lake-R.
• Foundry: AMD EPYC 7601 is GlobalFoundries; Intel Core i5-8250U is Intel.
• Die Size: AMD EPYC 7601 is 213 mm²; Intel Core i5-8250U is 123 mm².
• L1 Cache: AMD EPYC 7601 has 96 KB (per core); Intel Core i5-8250U has 64 KB (per core).
• L2 Cache: AMD EPYC 7601 has 512 KB (per core); Intel Core i5-8250U has 256 KB (per core).
• L3 Cache: AMD EPYC 7601 has 64 MB (shared); Intel Core i5-8250U has 6 MB (shared).
• Memory Bus: AMD EPYC 7601 is Eight-channel; Intel Core i5-8250U is not specified.
• Memory Bandwidth: AMD EPYC 7601 is 170.6 GB/s; Intel Core i5-8250U is not specified.
• ECC Memory: AMD EPYC 7601 is true; Intel Core i5-8250U is false.
• PCIe: AMD EPYC 7601 is Gen 3; Intel Core i5-8250U is not specified.
• Integrated Graphics: AMD EPYC 7601 has none; Intel Core i5-8250U has UHD 620.
• Market Segment: AMD EPYC 7601 is Server/Workstation; Intel Core i5-8250U is Mobile.
• Multiplier Unlocked: AMD EPYC 7601 is true; Intel Core i5-8250U is false.
• Transistors: AMD EPYC 7601 has 4,800 million; Intel Core i5-8250U is not specified.

The Verdict

The data dictates a clear verdict based on intended use. The AMD EPYC 7601 is the definitive choice for server and workstation environments where multi-threaded performance, massive memory bandwidth, and ECC support are paramount. Its 32 cores and 64 threads deliver a 506.7% advantage in Cinebench R15 multicore over the i5-8250U, making it the only viable option for heavy virtualization, database, or content-creation workloads that can leverage its parallel architecture.

The Intel Core i5-8250U, with its 15 W TDP and integrated graphics, is designed for mobile computing. Its performance is not competitive with the EPYC, as it loses every head-to-head benchmark by a margin of over 500%. However, its low power draw and integrated GPU make it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where battery life and portability are prioritized over raw compute power. The data does not support any scenario where the i5-8250U outperforms the EPYC 7601.

Where Each One Wins

AMD EPYC 7601 Wins:

• All Multi-Core Workloads: The EPYC’s 32-core configuration provides a 505.9% to 506.7% advantage across all Cinebench multi-core tests. This includes R15 (3003 vs 495), R20 (12516 vs 2065), and R23 (29800 vs 4918).
• All Single-Core Workloads: Despite the i5’s higher boost clock, the EPYC wins single-core tests by 506.2% to 513%. Cinebench R23 single-core shows 4207 vs 694.
• Server-Specific Features: The EPYC supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC memory, which the i5-8250U lacks.

Intel Core i5-8250U Wins:

• Power Efficiency: The i5-8250U has a TDP of 15 W compared to the EPYC’s 180 W, making it the only logical choice for battery-powered devices.
• Integrated Graphics: The i5-8250U includes UHD 620 graphics, a feature entirely absent from the EPYC 7601, enabling basic display output without a discrete GPU.
• Portability: Its BGA 1356 socket and mobile market segment designation indicate a design for laptops, unlike the EPYC’s server-oriented Socket SP3. The data shows no benchmark where the i5 wins, but these non-benchmark characteristics define its use case.