AMD EPYC 7702 vs Intel Core i5-1235U Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7702 and Intel Core i5-1235U occupy opposite ends of the computing spectrum, and the benchmark data reflects a complete mismatch in performance class. Across all six head-to-head Cinebench tests, the EPYC 7702 wins decisively, with the Intel part failing to secure a single victory. The EPYC 7702's average benchmark score of 16,932 places it in the 70th percentile of all CPUs, nearly identical to its closest rival, the Intel Core i5-1240U, which scores 16,957 (a -0.1% delta). The i5-1235U, with an average score of 16,770, also sits in the 70th percentile, just 0.1% ahead of the Intel Core Ultra 5 115U and 0.3% behind the AMD Ryzen 3 7335U. These percentile ties obscure a massive gulf in raw processing capability, driven by a 64-core versus 10-core configuration.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The EPYC 7702's dominance is absolute in every measured workload, with deltas ranging from 498.9% to 502.9%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the EPYC 7702 scores 58,539 against the i5-1235U's 9,774, a 498.9% advantage. The single-core R23 result tells a similar story: 8,264 for the EPYC versus 1,379 for the Intel, a 499.3% lead. This pattern repeats across older Cinebench versions. In R20 multi-core, the EPYC posts 24,586 versus 4,105 (498.9% delta), and in R20 single-core, 3,470 versus 579 (499.3% delta). The R15 results are even more lopsided: 5,900 versus 985 in multi-core (499% delta) and 832 versus 138 in single-core (502.9% delta).

The single-core margins are particularly striking because they contradict the expected advantage of the Intel's higher boost clock. The i5-1235U boosts to 4.40 GHz, while the EPYC 7702 maxes out at 3.35 GHz, yet the AMD part still leads by roughly 500% in every single-threaded test. The data suggests that the EPYC's Zen 2 architecture, with its larger per-core L1 cache (96 KB versus 80 KB) and massive 256 MB shared L3 cache, delivers far superior instructions per clock. The i5-1235U's 12 MB shared L3 cache is a fraction of that, and its 10 cores with 12 threads simply cannot compensate for the EPYC's 64 cores and 128 threads in any scenario.

Architecture Differences

The two processors are built on fundamentally different designs. The EPYC 7702 uses AMD's Zen 2 architecture on a 7 nm TSMC process, codenamed Rome, and is fabricated at TSMC with 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. It belongs to the EPYC 7002 series and targets the Server/Workstation segment, using the AMD Socket SP3. In contrast, the i5-1235U uses Intel's Alder Lake architecture on a 10 nm Intel process, codenamed Alder Lake-U, and is a Mobile segment part on the Intel BGA 1744 socket.

Cache configurations diverge sharply. The EPYC provides 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, plus 256 MB of shared L3. The i5-1235U offers 80 KB L1 and 1.25 MB L2 per core, but only 12 MB of shared L3. Memory support also differs: the EPYC uses DDR4 with an eight-channel memory bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, while the i5-1235U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 over a dual-channel bus, with no bandwidth figure listed. The EPYC supports ECC memory; the i5-1235U does not. PCIe connectivity is Gen 4 for both, but the i5-1235U specifies 20 lanes (CPU only), while the EPYC's lane count is not provided.

Integrated graphics are a major differentiator. The i5-1235U includes Iris Xe 80EU graphics, while the EPYC 7702 has none. The Intel part also has a far lower TDP of 15 watts versus the EPYC's 200 watts, and its base clock is 1.30 GHz against the EPYC's 2.00 GHz. The EPYC was released on 2019-08-06, while the i5-1235U launched much later on 2022-02-22. Neither part is multiplier-unlocked, and both are listed as Active in production.

Where Each One Wins

The EPYC 7702 wins every benchmark where both were tested, but the practical use cases diverge based on workload characteristics. The EPYC's 64 cores and 128 threads make it the clear choice for heavily parallelized server workloads, data center virtualization, and high-throughput compute tasks. Its 256 MB L3 cache and eight-channel DDR4 memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth are designed for sustained multi-threaded operations, as evidenced by its 58,539 R23 multi-core score. The i5-1235U, despite losing all head-to-head comparisons, has strengths the EPYC lacks entirely: integrated Iris Xe 80EU graphics and a 15-watt TDP that enables fanless or low-power mobile designs. Its dual-channel DDR4/DDR5 support and compact BGA 1744 socket suit thin-and-light laptops.

For single-threaded tasks, the EPYC still leads by ~500%, which is counterintuitive given the i5's 4.40 GHz boost clock. However, the i5-1235U's additional benchmark data, not available for the EPYC, shows its real-world capabilities in other areas. The PassMark suite reveals the i5-1235U scoring 3,151 in single-thread, 12,923 in multithread, and 48,553 in integer math. These figures are meaningless for direct comparison to the EPYC because the EPYC lacks those test scores, but they indicate the i5 is a capable general-purpose mobile processor. The EPYC's 70th percentile ranking, tied with the i5-1235U, suggests that for typical consumer workloads, the difference is less dramatic than the Cinebench deltas imply, but for server-class workloads, the EPYC's raw core count is unmatched.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7702 has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Core i5-1235U has 10 cores and 12 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The EPYC 7702 scores 58,539 versus 9,774 for the i5-1235U, a 498.9% advantage for the AMD part.

Q: Does the Intel Core i5-1235U have integrated graphics?

A: Yes, it includes Iris Xe 80EU graphics, while the EPYC 7702 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What memory types do these processors support?

A: The EPYC 7702 supports DDR4 with an eight-channel bus and 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The i5-1235U supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus and no specified bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Intel Core i5-1235U boosts to 4.40 GHz, which is higher than the EPYC 7702's 3.35 GHz boost clock.

Q: What is the TDP for each processor?

A: The EPYC 7702 has a 200-watt TDP, while the i5-1235U has a 15-watt TDP.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7702 | Intel Core i5-1235U |

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

| Cores | 64 | 10 |

| Threads | 128 | 12 |

| Base Clock | 2.00 GHz | 1.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.35 GHz | 4.40 GHz |

| TDP | 200 W | 15 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel BGA 1744 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Rome | Alder Lake-U |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | Not specified |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

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

| L3 Cache | 256 MB (shared) | 12 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR4, DDR5 |

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

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

| ECC Memory | Yes | No |

| PCIe | Gen 4 | Gen 4, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | Iris Xe 80EU |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Mobile |

| Release Date | 2019-08-06 | 2022-02-22 |

| Part Number | 100-000000038 | SRLFR |

The Verdict

The data is unequivocal: the AMD EPYC 7702 is the superior processor in every benchmark category measured. It wins all six Cinebench tests by margins of approximately 500%, and its architectural advantages—64 cores, 128 threads, 256 MB L3 cache, eight-channel memory—make it the only choice for server racks, database workloads, and heavy virtualization. The i5-1235U cannot compete in compute density, but it is not designed to. Its 15-watt TDP, integrated Iris Xe graphics, and mobile socket target ultraportable laptops where the EPYC's 200-watt server footprint is physically impossible.

For a buyer choosing between these two, the decision comes down to workload, not performance. If the task is high-throughput parallel computing or enterprise infrastructure, the EPYC 7702 is the definitive pick, with no rival in this comparison. If the task is a thin laptop for everyday use, the i5-1235U's integrated graphics and low power draw are decisive, despite its complete defeat in Cinebench. The 70th percentile ranking for both parts underscores that they serve different markets, and the benchmark deltas, while enormous, are irrelevant outside their respective segments. Pick the EPYC for the data center; pick the i5-1235U for mobility. Neither choice is wrong based on the data—they are simply not alternatives to each other.