AMD EPYC 7713 vs Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Comparison

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V and the AMD EPYC 7713 represent two extreme poles of the processor market: a 17-watt mobile chip built for efficiency and a 225-watt server behemoth built for raw throughput. The benchmark data shows a complete and utter dominance by the EPYC 7713 in every single measured workload, yet the average benchmark scores are remarkably close, placing both at the 74th percentile. This analysis breaks down the data to explain why their average scores are nearly identical despite the lopsided head-to-head results.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head results are unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7713 wins all six benchmark comparisons. The margin of victory, however, varies significantly by workload. In the Cinebench R15 multi-core test, the EPYC 7713 scores 7,096 against the Core Ultra 7 258V's 1,596.5, a delta of -77.5% for the Intel part. This is a massive gap, but it is not the largest. The Cinebench R23 multi-core test shows the most extreme disparity: the EPYC 7713 scores 70,401, dwarfing the Ultra 7's 10,301. This represents an 85.4% deficit for the Intel chip, meaning the EPYC delivers roughly 6.8 times the multi-threaded rendering performance.

The single-core results tell a slightly different story, though the winner remains the same. In Cinebench R23 single-core, the EPYC 7713 scores 9,939 versus 1,872 for the Ultra 7, a delta of -81.2%. The R20 single-core test shows a similar pattern: 4,174 for AMD versus 951 for Intel, a -77.2% difference. The R15 single-core test is the closest of all, with the EPYC 7713 at 1,001 and the Ultra 7 at 285, a -71.5% delta. Even in the best case for Intel, the EPYC 7713 is still over 3.5 times faster in single-core performance. The data shows no workload where the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V comes out ahead, resulting in a 0-6 win record.

The Verdict

The verdict is straightforward from the benchmark data: the AMD EPYC 7713 is the superior processor in every measured category. For any application that relies on CPU compute, whether single-threaded or multi-threaded, the EPYC 7713 provides dramatically higher performance. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 70,401 for the EPYC confirms its 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel's 10,301 reflects its 8-core/8-thread design. The data suggests that for server workloads, scientific computing, or heavy content creation, the EPYC 7713 is the only viable choice of these two.

However, the average benchmark scores of both processors are nearly identical: 20,454 for the Intel and 20,363 for the AMD. The Intel part's nearest rival list includes the EPYC 7713 with a deltaPct of 0.4, while the EPYC's list includes the Intel part with a deltaPct of -0.4. This indicates that while the EPYC dominates in the Cinebench suite, the Intel part has strengths in other benchmark categories that are not part of the head-to-head comparison. The Core Ultra 7 258V's PassMark scores, such as 176,686 in data compression and 57,372 in floating point math, are not present in the EPYC's benchmark list, which only contains Cinebench results. The Intel chip is a mobile processor with a 17W TDP, making it suitable for laptops where power consumption is critical. The EPYC 7713, with a 225W TDP and a launch MSRP of $7060, is a server part. The choice ultimately depends on the use case: raw performance for a server or power-efficient performance for a mobile device.

Architecture Differences

The architectural differences between these two processors are fundamental and explain the performance gulf. The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V is built on Lunar Lake architecture using a 3 nm process node from TSMC. It features 8 cores and 8 threads, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 4.80 GHz. Its cache hierarchy includes 192 KB of L1 per core, 2.5 MB of L2 per core, and a shared 12 MB L3 cache. It supports LPDDR5X memory on a dual-channel bus, providing 136.5 GB/s of bandwidth. It does not support ECC memory and offers only 4 PCIe Gen 5 lanes from the CPU. It includes integrated Arc 140V graphics, making it a self-contained mobile solution. The TDP is just 17 watts.

The AMD EPYC 7713 is a completely different beast. It is based on Zen 3 architecture (Milan) on a 7 nm process node, also from TSMC. It has 64 cores and 128 threads, with a base clock of 2.00 GHz and a boost clock of 3.68 GHz. The cache is vastly larger: 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a 256 MB shared L3 cache. This enormous L3 cache is a key advantage for server workloads with large working sets. It supports DDR4 memory over an eight-channel bus, delivering 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth, and it supports ECC memory for data integrity. It offers 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes from the CPU, far exceeding the Intel part. It has no integrated graphics, as it is designed for servers with discrete GPUs. The TDP is 225 watts, and the die is composed of 8x 81 mm² chiplets with 33,200 million transistors.

FAQ

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

A: The AMD EPYC 7713 is faster in all single-core tests. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 9,939 versus 1,872 for the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, a delta of -81.2% for the Intel part.

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

A: The EPYC 7713 dominates multi-core rendering. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it scores 70,401 compared to 10,301 for the Intel, representing an 85.4% deficit for the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V.

Q: Why are the average benchmark scores so similar?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V has an average benchmark score of 20,454, and the EPYC 7713 has 20,363. The Intel part's score is likely bolstered by its PassMark results, which are not included in the EPYC's benchmark list, which only contains Cinebench scores.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each processor?

A: The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V has 8 cores and 8 threads. The AMD EPYC 7713 has 64 cores and 128 threads.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD EPYC 7713 supports ECC memory, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V does not.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth difference?

A: The AMD EPYC 7713 provides 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth over an eight-channel bus, while the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V provides 136.5 GB/s over a dual-channel bus.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7713 wins in every category measured by the head-to-head benchmarks. Its strengths are most pronounced in multi-threaded workloads, where its 64 cores and 128 threads provide a massive advantage. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, it is 85.4% ahead of the Intel part. It also wins decisively in single-core tests, being at least 71.5% faster in Cinebench R15 single-core. The EPYC 7713 is the clear winner for server virtualization, database processing, scientific simulation, and any other workload that can leverage many cores and high memory bandwidth. Its 256 MB L3 cache and 204.8 GB/s memory bandwidth further solidify its position for data-intensive applications.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 258V has no wins in the head-to-head data. However, its value lies outside of these benchmarks. Its 17-watt TDP makes it suitable for thin-and-light laptops, and its integrated Arc 140V graphics eliminate the need for a discrete GPU. The benchmark data indicates it excels in areas like passmark data compression (176,686) and integer math (42,889), which are not part of the head-to-head suite. For a mobile user prioritizing battery life and portability, the Intel part is the only realistic choice of the two, despite its massive performance deficit in the Cinebench tests. It is a capable mobile processor, but it is not a competitor to the EPYC 7713 in raw compute.