CPU Comparison

The benchmark data presents a stark contrast between the Intel Core i7-8565U, a low-power mobile processor, and the AMD EPYC 7601, a high-core-count server chip. Despite both holding the same 65th percentile ranking among all CPUs, their performance profiles could not be more different. The Intel chip, designed for thin-and-light laptops, relies on efficiency, while the AMD EPYC, built for data centers, prioritizes raw throughput. The head-to-head results are decisively one-sided, but the architectural philosophies behind each chip explain why the comparison is so lopsided.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data in the head-to-head table leaves no room for ambiguity: the AMD EPYC 7601 wins all six recorded benchmark comparisons. The largest margin of victory appears in the Cinebench R23 multi-core test, where the EPYC 7601 scores 29,800 against the i7-8565U’s 5,258. This represents an 82.4% deficit for the Intel part, a gap that reflects the EPYC’s 32 cores and 64 threads working in parallel. The same 82.4% delta appears in the Cinebench R20 multi-core test, with scores of 12,516 for the AMD chip versus 2,208 for the Intel chip. These are not marginal differences; they indicate a fundamental disparity in multi-threaded workload capability.

Single-core results tell a similar story, albeit with a slightly different context. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the EPYC 7601 scores 4,207, while the i7-8565U manages 742, again an 82.4% difference. The pattern holds for Cinebench R15, where the EPYC 7601 records 423 in single-core and 3,003 in multi-core, against the Intel’s 74 and 529, respectively. Even the R20 single-core test shows the EPYC 7601 at 1,766 versus the i7-8565U’s 311. The consistent 82.4% delta across all tests is notable; it suggests the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific. The Intel chip’s higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz does not translate into a single-core advantage, as the EPYC’s 3.20 GHz boost clock still yields a far higher score. This indicates that the EPYC’s Zen architecture delivers more instructions per clock, or that the benchmark environment favors the server platform’s memory subsystem.

The overall average benchmark scores corroborate the head-to-head results. The EPYC 7601 has an average benchmark score of 8,619, which is actually 0.5% lower than the i7-8565U’s 8,665, according to the nearestRivals data. This is a curious paradox: the EPYC wins every Cinebench test by over 80%, yet its average score is slightly lower. The explanation lies in the fact that the i7-8565U has a much larger set of benchmark data, including PassMark tests where it excels in specific tasks like data compression (75,995) and integer math (21,581). The EPYC 7601 only has Cinebench scores in the provided data, so its average reflects a narrower range of workloads. The nearestRivals list shows the two chips are within 0.5% of each other in average score, which is remarkable given their extreme differences in core count and power envelope.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins the most benchmark comparisons?

A: The AMD EPYC 7601 wins all six head-to-head benchmarks against the Intel Core i7-8565U, covering Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 in both single-core and multi-core tests.

Q: What is the performance difference in multi-core workloads?

A: The EPYC 7601 delivers an 82.4% higher score in Cinebench R23 multi-core (29,800 vs 5,258) and an identical 82.4% advantage in R20 multi-core (12,516 vs 2,208).

Q: Does the Intel chip win in any single-core test?

A: No. The data shows the EPYC 7601 wins all single-core tests, including Cinebench R23 single-core with a score of 4,207 versus 742 for the i7-8565U.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The i7-8565U has an average benchmark score of 8,665, while the EPYC 7601 has an average of 8,619. The nearestRivals data shows the EPYC is 0.5% behind the Intel chip in this metric.

Q: Are the two processors in the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both the Intel Core i7-8565U and the AMD EPYC 7601 have a percentileVsAllCpus of 65, meaning they rank in the 65th percentile among all CPUs.

Q: What explains the paradox of the EPYC losing the average score but winning every head-to-head?

A: The i7-8565U has a broader benchmark suite, including PassMark tests like data compression (75,995) and find prime numbers (22), while the EPYC 7601 only has Cinebench scores in the provided data, which skews its average.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is vast. The Intel Core i7-8565U is built on the Whiskey Lake architecture, specifically the Whiskey Lake-U codename, using a 14 nm process node fabricated by Intel. It contains 4 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 1.80 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The AMD EPYC 7601, in contrast, uses the Zen architecture with the Naples codename, also on a 14 nm process but fabricated by GlobalFoundries. It has 32 cores and 64 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.20 GHz. The EPYC’s transistor count is listed at 4,800 million on a 213 mm² die, while the Intel chip’s transistor count and die size are not provided in the data.

Cache configurations highlight the EPYC’s server-oriented design. The i7-8565U has 64 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 cache per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC 7601 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a massive 64 MB of shared L3 cache. This larger cache hierarchy supports the EPYC’s need to feed 32 cores with data. Memory support also differs: the Intel chip supports DDR3 and DDR4 in a dual-channel configuration with 38.4 GB/s bandwidth, while the EPYC supports only DDR4 but in an eight-channel configuration, yielding 170.6 GB/s of bandwidth. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, which the Intel chip does not.

The integrated graphics situation is another major difference. The i7-8565U includes UHD Graphics 620, while the EPYC 7601 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for server processors. PCIe support shows the Intel chip with Gen 3 and 16 lanes (CPU only), while the EPYC has Gen 3 without a lane count specified. The EPYC’s socket is AMD Socket SP3, and its multiplier is unlocked, whereas the i7-8565U uses Intel BGA 1528 and has a locked multiplier. The production statuses also differ: the Intel chip is end-of-life, while the EPYC is active.

Specification Differences

The specification table reveals several key divergences beyond the core count. The EPYC 7601 has 32 cores and 64 threads, versus the i7-8565U’s 4 cores and 8 threads. Base clocks differ, with the Intel chip at 1.80 GHz and the AMD chip at 2.20 GHz; boost clocks show the Intel part at 4.60 GHz versus 3.20 GHz for the EPYC. Thermal design power is a stark contrast: the i7-8565U has a TDP of 15 watts, while the EPYC 7601 has a TDP of 180 watts. The sockets are incompatible: Intel BGA 1528 versus AMD Socket SP3. The memory bus width differs, with the Intel chip using dual-channel and the EPYC using eight-channel, resulting in memory bandwidth of 38.4 GB/s versus 170.6 GB/s. ECC memory support is present only on the EPYC. The Intel chip includes integrated UHD Graphics 620, while the EPYC has none. The market segments are also different: mobile for Intel, server/workstation for AMD. Release dates show the i7-8565U launched on 2018-09-30, while the EPYC 7601 launched earlier on 2017-06-28. The Intel chip has a launch MSRP of $409, while the EPYC’s MSRP is not listed in the data.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows the AMD EPYC 7601 winning every recorded Cinebench test, making it the clear choice for any workload that relies on multi-threaded performance. Its 64 threads and 64 MB of L3 cache are designed for heavy server tasks like virtualization, database processing, and scientific computing. The eight-channel memory bus with 170.6 GB/s bandwidth further supports these data-intensive workloads. The EPYC’s ECC memory support adds reliability for long-running server operations.

The Intel Core i7-8565U does not win any head-to-head benchmark, but its data suggests strengths in specific areas that are not captured in the Cinebench comparisons. The PassMark tests show strong scores in data compression (75,995), integer math (21,581), and floating point math (12,934). These scores, combined with a TDP of just 15 watts, indicate the chip is well-suited for mobile productivity tasks where battery life and portability matter more than raw compute. The i7-8565U’s integrated UHD Graphics 620 provides display output without a separate GPU, making it a complete package for ultrabooks. Its higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz could benefit lightly-threaded tasks that are not represented in the head-to-head table, though the single-core Cinebench results suggest the EPYC still outperforms it in those specific tests.

The Verdict

Based strictly on the data, the AMD EPYC 7601 is the superior processor for any benchmark-driven comparison. It wins all six head-to-head tests with an 82.4% margin in each case. Anyone needing maximum multi-core performance for server or workstation applications should choose the EPYC 7601, especially given its active production status and ECC memory support.

The Intel Core i7-8565U should be chosen when the priority is mobile computing. Its 15-watt TDP, integrated graphics, and end-of-life status indicate it is meant for laptops. The PassMark scores suggest it can handle compression and math tasks efficiently, but it cannot compete with the EPYC’s core count. The data does not show any scenario where the i7-8565U beats the EPYC 7601, so the decision comes down to platform and use case. If the workload is server-oriented, the EPYC 7601 is the only option. If the requirement is a portable, low-power device, the i7-8565U is the logical fit, despite its benchmark losses. The fact that both chips share the same 65th percentile ranking and nearly identical average scores (8,665 vs 8,619) is a reminder that average metrics can obscure massive differences in specific workloads.