AMD EPYC 7713 vs Intel Core i5-12490F Comparison

# Intel Core i5-12490F vs AMD EPYC 7713

The Intel Core i5-12490F and AMD EPYC 7713 occupy entirely different segments of the processor market. The i5-12490F is a 6-core desktop part from Intel's Alder Lake generation, while the EPYC 7713 is a 64-core server processor built on AMD's Zen 3 architecture. Benchmark data shows the EPYC 7713 wins all six head-to-head comparisons, with particularly large margins in multi-threaded workloads. The i5-12490F sits at the 74th percentile among all CPUs, and the EPYC 7713 also sits at the 74th percentile, with average benchmark scores of 20802 and 20363 respectively. This places both processors in the same overall performance tier despite their vastly different core counts and design goals.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7713 has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Core i5-12490F has 6 cores and 12 threads.

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

A: The EPYC 7713 scores 70401 versus 17284 for the i5-12490F, a delta of -75.4% from the Intel part's perspective. The AMD processor delivers roughly four times the multi-core score.

Q: Does the Intel processor win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The recorded data shows 6 wins for the AMD EPYC 7713 and 0 wins for the Intel Core i5-12490F across all tested Cinebench workloads.

Q: What memory configurations do these processors support?

A: The i5-12490F supports DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel memory bus. The EPYC 7713 supports DDR4 only but uses an eight-channel memory bus with 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth.

Q: Are these processors unlocked for overclocking?

A: Neither processor has an unlocked multiplier. Both the i5-12490F and the EPYC 7713 are listed as having locked multipliers.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of the AMD EPYC 7713?

A: The launch MSRP is $7060. The Intel Core i5-12490F has no launch MSRP recorded in the database.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-12490F uses the Alder Lake-S architecture built on Intel's 10 nm process node, with a die size of 163 mm². It features 6 cores and 12 threads with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and a boost clock of 4.60 GHz. The cache layout includes 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and 20 MB of shared L3 cache. This is a desktop-oriented design with PCIe Gen 5 support providing 20 lanes from the CPU. The memory controller supports both DDR4 and DDR5 in a dual-channel configuration, and ECC memory is not supported.

The AMD EPYC 7713 is built on the Zen 3 architecture, codenamed Milan, using TSMC's 7 nm process. It packs 64 cores and 128 threads into a design with 8x 81 mm² dies, totaling 33,200 million transistors. Base clock is 2000.00 MHz with a boost clock of 3.68 GHz. The cache hierarchy provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a massive 256 MB of shared L3 cache. This server processor uses AMD Socket SP3 and supports eight-channel DDR4 memory with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth. ECC memory is supported, and PCIe Gen 4 provides 128 lanes from the CPU. The TDP is 225 watts versus 65 watts for the Intel part.

These architectures target different workloads. The i5-12490F emphasizes high clock speeds and single-thread responsiveness for desktop use, while the EPYC 7713 prioritizes core density and memory bandwidth for server workloads. The process node difference, 10 nm versus 7 nm, reflects the different manufacturing foundries and design goals. The Intel chip uses a monolithic die, while the AMD part uses a chiplet approach with eight separate dies.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head benchmark data covers six Cinebench tests, and the AMD EPYC 7713 wins all of them. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the EPYC 7713 scores 7096 against 1742 for the i5-12490F, a delta of -75.5%. The single-core R15 test shows a similar pattern: 1001 for the AMD part versus 245 for the Intel part, again a -75.5% delta.

Cinebench R20 results continue the trend. The multi-core test shows 29568 for the EPYC 7713 and 7259 for the i5-12490F, a -75.4% delta. Single-core R20 gives 4174 for AMD and 1024 for Intel, a -75.5% delta. The margins are consistent across all test versions.

Cinebench R23, the most demanding workload in the comparison, shows the largest absolute gap. The EPYC 7713 scores 70401 in multi-core, while the i5-12490F scores 17284, a -75.4% delta. The single-core R23 test gives 9939 for AMD and 2440 for Intel, a -75.5% delta.

These consistent deltas of roughly 75% across every test indicate that the performance gap is structural rather than workload-specific. The EPYC 7713's advantage comes from its much higher core count and thread count, which scales effectively in Cinebench's rendering workloads. The single-core tests also show the AMD processor ahead by the same percentage, which is notable given the Intel part's higher boost clock of 4.60 GHz versus 3.68 GHz. The EPYC 7713's per-core performance in these tests, despite lower clocks, points to architectural efficiency differences.

Specification Differences

The two processors differ in nearly every specification category. Core count: 6 versus 64. Thread count: 12 versus 128. Base clock: 3.00 GHz versus 2000.00 MHz. Boost clock: 4.60 GHz versus 3.68 GHz. TDP: 65 watts versus 225 watts.

The cache hierarchies are substantially different. The i5-12490F uses 80 KB L1 per core, 1.25 MB L2 per core, and 20 MB shared L3. The EPYC 7713 uses 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 256 MB shared L3. The AMD part's total L3 cache is over twelve times larger.

Process node and foundry differ: Intel uses 10 nm at Intel, while AMD uses 7 nm at TSMC. Die size is 163 mm² for the Intel part versus 8x 81 mm² for the AMD part. Transistor count is not recorded for Intel but is 33,200 million for AMD.

Memory support diverges sharply. The i5-12490F supports DDR4 and DDR5 in dual-channel mode with no ECC support. The EPYC 7713 supports DDR4 only but in eight-channel mode with 204.8 GB/s of bandwidth and ECC support. PCIe capabilities differ as well: Gen 5 with 20 lanes for Intel, Gen 4 with 128 lanes for AMD.

Socket types are incompatible: Intel Socket 1700 for the i5-12490F, AMD Socket SP3 for the EPYC 7713. Market segments are desktop for Intel and server/workstation for AMD. The EPYC 7713 has a recorded release date of 2021-03-14 and a launch MSRP of $7060. The i5-12490F has no release date or MSRP in the database.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7713 wins every recorded head-to-head benchmark, so the analysis of where each processor wins must account for the broader benchmark data. The EPYC 7713's massive core count gives it a decisive edge in multi-threaded rendering workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core shows the AMD part at 70401, which is more than four times the Intel part's 17284. This pattern holds across all Cinebench versions, with deltas of -75.4% or -75.5% regardless of the test.

The i5-12490F's other benchmark scores, recorded outside the head-to-head comparison, show its strengths in different areas. PassMark single-thread score is 3682, and 3DMark single-thread is 946. These scores place the i5-12490F competitively for desktop tasks that rely on single-core performance. The data shows the Intel part achieves high clock speeds, boosting to 4.60 GHz, which supports responsive desktop operation.

The EPYC 7713's server-oriented strengths appear in its memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s and eight-channel memory bus, which are not present on the Intel part. ECC memory support on the AMD processor is a critical feature for server reliability that the i5-12490F lacks. The EPYC's 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes provide substantial expansion capability for server workloads.

For desktop gaming and everyday use, the i5-12490F's lower TDP of 65 watts and support for both DDR4 and DDR5 make it a practical choice. The data shows the Intel part holds its own in single-threaded tests relative to other CPUs, with a PassMark single-thread score of 3682. The EPYC 7713, with its 225 watt TDP and server socket, is not designed for such use cases.

The Verdict

The benchmark data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7713 outperforms the Intel Core i5-12490F in every recorded Cinebench test. The multi-core deltas of -75.4% and -75.5% show a dominant advantage for the AMD processor, driven by its 64 cores versus 6. The single-core tests also favor the EPYC 7713 by the same margins, which is surprising given the Intel part's higher boost clock. This indicates the Zen 3 architecture delivers more work per clock cycle in these workloads.

The i5-12490F serves a completely different purpose. Its 6 cores, 12 threads, and 65 watt TDP fit a desktop build where power efficiency and platform flexibility matter. The support for both DDR4 and DDR5 memory gives builders options, and the PCIe Gen 5 interface provides modern connectivity. The Intel part's 74th percentile ranking among all CPUs shows it performs well for its category.

The EPYC 7713 targets server and workstation deployments. Its 128 threads, 256 MB of L3 cache, eight-channel DDR4 memory, and ECC support are features designed for heavy multi-threaded server workloads. The 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes enable extensive I/O configurations. The launch MSRP of $7060 reflects its enterprise positioning.

Choosing between these processors depends entirely on the intended workload. The data shows the EPYC 7713 is the clear winner in raw compute performance, especially in multi-threaded tasks. The i5-12490F offers a more practical package for desktop use with lower power consumption and broader memory support. The 74th percentile ranking for both parts in the overall CPU database indicates they each achieve solid performance relative to their respective markets.