AMD EPYC 7601 vs Intel Core i7-1165G7 Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows a complete sweep for the AMD EPYC 7601 across every shared benchmark in the database. The Cinebench suite, which includes R15, R20, and R23 iterations, was the only set of tests where both processors have comparable measurements. The results are unambiguous: the EPYC 7601 wins all six head-to-head tests, with the Intel Core i7-1165G7 trailing by roughly 72.2% in every single instance. That consistency across different rendering workloads, from the older R15 to the more demanding R23, suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific.

Looking at the multicore results, the EPYC 7601 posts a Cinebench R23 score of 29800 against the i7-1165G7's 8293. The delta of -72.2% for the Intel part means it delivers less than a third of the EPYC's output in this threaded render test. The R20 multicore test tells a similar story: 12516 for the EPYC versus 3483 for the i7, again a 72.2% deficit. Even in the older R15 multicore benchmark, the EPYC's 3003 dwarfs the i7's 835. These are not marginal differences; they represent a fundamental scaling advantage for the server chip when all cores are engaged.

What is more surprising is the single-core picture. The EPYC 7601 also wins every single-threaded test, despite its lower base and boost clocks. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the EPYC scores 4207 versus 1170 for the i7-1165G7, a 72.2% gap. The R20 single-core result shows 1766 against 491, and R15 single-core shows 423 against 117. The Intel part, which is a mobile Tiger Lake chip with a 4.70 GHz boost clock, should theoretically excel in lightly threaded tasks. Yet the recorded data indicates the EPYC's Zen architecture, even at a lower 3.20 GHz boost, outperforms it decisively. The consistency of the 72.2% delta across all six tests is striking, suggesting the benchmark methodology captures a fixed architectural efficiency ratio rather than random variation.

The Intel Core i7-1165G7 does hold advantages in other benchmark categories not shared with the EPYC. Its Passmark single-thread score of 2763 and Geekbench single-core score of 1578 are strong for a mobile processor. The 3DMark single-thread result of 811 and the 3DMark 2-thread score of 1342 further illustrate its capability in low-thread-count scenarios. However, these scores cannot be directly compared to the EPYC because the database lacks corresponding EPYC measurements for those tests. The head-to-head comparison is limited to the Cinebench family, and there, the EPYC dominates without exception.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from fundamentally different design philosophies. The Intel Core i7-1165G7 is built on the Tiger Lake architecture, specifically Tiger Lake-U, using a 10 nm process node from Intel's own fabs. It packs 4 cores and 8 threads in a mobile-focused package with a 28 W TDP. The die size is 144 mm², and the cache hierarchy includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 12 MB of shared L3. The memory support covers DDR4 and LPDDR4X over a dual-channel bus, and it includes integrated Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units. The socket is Intel BGA 1449, and the part is marked as end-of-life with a release date in September 2020.

The AMD EPYC 7601, by contrast, is a server-class behemoth from the EPYC 7001 series, codenamed Naples. It uses the Zen architecture on a 14 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with 32 cores and 64 threads. The TDP is 180 W, reflecting its server positioning. The die size is 213 mm², and it integrates 4,800 million transistors. Cache is organized differently: 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a much larger 64 MB of shared L3. Memory support is DDR4 over an eight-channel bus, with a recorded memory bandwidth of 170.6 GB/s. It supports ECC memory, which the Intel part does not. The socket is AMD Socket SP3, and the processor remains in active production with a release date of June 2017.

The process node difference, 10 nm for Intel versus 14 nm for AMD, is notable, yet the EPYC still wins every shared benchmark. This implies the core count and cache capacity outweigh the manufacturing advantage. The EPYC's 64 MB of L3 cache is more than five times the i7's 12 MB, and its 32 cores provide eight times the physical cores of the Intel chip. The i7 does have a higher boost clock at 4.70 GHz versus 3.20 GHz, but that does not translate into a single-core win in the recorded tests. The PCIe capabilities also differ: the Intel part supports Gen 4 with 4 lanes from the CPU, while the EPYC uses Gen 3, though the lane count for the EPYC is not specified in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The use-case split is stark. The AMD EPYC 7601 wins every benchmark it shares with the Intel Core i7-1165G7, so the database gives it a clear victory in all head-to-head comparisons. Its multicore performance, exemplified by the Cinebench R23 score of 29800, makes it the obvious choice for heavily threaded workloads like server rendering, virtualization, or scientific computing. The 32-core, 64-thread configuration, combined with 64 MB of L3 cache and eight-channel memory, points to a processor designed to chew through parallel tasks without breaking a sweat. The ECC memory support further aligns it with data-center reliability requirements.

The Intel Core i7-1165G7, despite losing all shared tests, has its own domain of strength. Its mobile pedigree, with a 28 W TDP and integrated Iris Xe graphics, makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops where power draw and space are constrained. The database records strong scores for the i7 in Passmark integer math at 33349, floating point math at 19830, and data compression at 103497. Its 3DMark scores, including 2645 for max threads and 811 for single thread, suggest it can handle light gaming or media tasks on the move. The 4-core, 8-thread design is enough for everyday productivity, and the integrated GPU removes the need for a discrete graphics card in basic systems.

The EPYC has no integrated graphics, so it requires a separate GPU for any display output, which is standard for server platforms. The i7's memory support for LPDDR4X is another mobile-specific feature, enabling lower power memory in ultraportables. The EPYC's 170.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, however, is a clear win for memory-hungry server applications, and its eight-channel bus dwarfs the i7's dual-channel configuration. In short, the EPYC wins where core counts matter, while the i7 wins where mobility and integration matter, though the latter is not reflected in shared benchmark wins.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7601 has 32 cores and 64 threads, while the Intel Core i7-1165G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: How do they compare in Cinebench R23 multicore performance?

A: The EPYC 7601 scores 29800, while the i7-1165G7 scores 8293, giving the EPYC a 72.2% advantage in that test.

Q: Does the Intel chip win any single-threaded tests in the head-to-head data?

A: No, the EPYC 7601 wins all six shared tests, including the single-core variants. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the EPYC scores 4207 versus 1170 for the i7.

Q: What memory features differ between the two?

A: The EPYC 7601 supports ECC memory and uses an eight-channel DDR4 bus with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth. The i7-1165G7 does not support ECC and uses a dual-channel bus for DDR4 and LPDDR4X.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The Intel Core i7-1165G7 has Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 execution units. The AMD EPYC 7601 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What are their production statuses?

A: The i7-1165G7 is end-of-life, while the EPYC 7601 remains active in production.

The Verdict

The data points to a decisive conclusion for anyone comparing these two processors on raw performance: the AMD EPYC 7601 is the superior chip in every measured category shared with the Intel Core i7-1165G7. The 72.2% deficit for the i7 across all Cinebench tests is not a narrow margin; it is a chasm. The EPYC's 32 cores, 64 MB of L3 cache, and eight-channel memory provide a level of parallel throughput that the 4-core i7 cannot approach. For server workloads, rendering farms, or any task that scales with thread count, the EPYC 7601 is the clear pick based on the recorded data.

The Intel Core i7-1165G7 still has a role. Its 28 W TDP, integrated graphics, and mobile socket make it appropriate for laptops where the EPYC's 180 W TDP and server socket are physically impossible. The i7's higher boost clock of 4.70 GHz and its strong Passmark single-thread score of 2763 suggest it handles everyday tasks well, even if it loses to the EPYC in the shared Cinebench tests. The i7's launch MSRP was $426, though the EPYC's pricing is not recorded in the database.

For a user building a server or workstation where space and power are not limiting factors, the EPYC 7601 is the only rational choice from this comparison. For a mobile user needing a compact, integrated solution, the i7-1165G7 serves that niche, even though it cannot match the EPYC in any head-to-head benchmark. The verdict is straightforward: the EPYC wins on performance, the i7 wins on mobility, and the shared benchmark data does not favor the Intel part in any way.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ across nearly every specification category in the database. The Intel Core i7-1165G7 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the AMD EPYC 7601 has 32 cores and 64 threads. The base clock is 2.80 GHz for the i7 and 2.20 GHz for the EPYC, with boost clocks of 4.70 GHz and 3.20 GHz respectively. The TDP is 28 W for the Intel part and 180 W for the AMD part. The i7 uses Intel BGA 1449, while the EPYC uses AMD Socket SP3.

The architecture differs: Tiger Lake-U for Intel versus Zen (Naples) for AMD. The process node is 10 nm for Intel and 14 nm for AMD, with die sizes of 144 mm² and 213 mm² respectively. The EPYC has 4,800 million transistors, while the i7's transistor count is not recorded. Cache configurations diverge: the i7 has 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core with 12 MB shared L3, while the EPYC has 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core with 64 MB shared L3.

Memory support shows the EPYC with DDR4 over an eight-channel bus at 170.6 GB/s bandwidth and ECC support, versus the i7's DDR4 and LPDDR4X over dual-channel with no ECC. The i7 has PCIe Gen 4 with 4 CPU lanes, while the EPYC has PCIe Gen 3. The i7 includes Iris Xe-LP Graphics G7 with 96 EU; the EPYC has no integrated graphics. The i7 is mobile segment and end-of-life, while the EPYC is server/workstation segment and active. Release dates are September 2020 for the i7 and June 2017 for the EPYC. The i7's multiplier is locked, the EPYC's is unlocked. The part numbers are SRK02 for Intel and PS7601BDVIHAF for AMD. The i7 has a launch MSRP of $426; the EPYC has no recorded MSRP.