AMD EPYC 7742 vs AMD Ryzen 5 4600H Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 7742 has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H has 6 cores and 12 threads. The EPYC offers over ten times the core count.

Q: Do both processors use the same architecture?

A: Yes, both are built on Zen 2 architecture. The Ryzen 5 4600H uses the Renoir codename, while the EPYC 7742 uses the Rome codename. Both are manufactured on a 7 nm process by TSMC.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: The AMD EPYC 7742 supports ECC memory, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H does not. This makes the EPYC suited for server and workstation environments where data integrity is critical.

Q: What are the memory channel configurations?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H uses dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, while the AMD EPYC 7742 uses eight-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The EPYC has four times the memory bandwidth.

Q: Which processor has integrated graphics?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H includes Radeon RX Vega 6 integrated graphics. The AMD EPYC 7742 has no integrated graphics, which is typical for server processors that rely on discrete GPUs or headless operation.

Q: How do their average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD EPYC 7742 has an average benchmark score of 16998, while the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H scores 16341. The difference is about 4%, which is small considering the vast difference in core counts.

Q: What market segments are these processors designed for?

A: The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H targets the mobile segment, fitting into AMD Socket FP6. The AMD EPYC 7742 targets the server/workstation segment, using AMD Socket SP3.

Where Each One Wins

The benchmark data shows a clear split between these two processors based on workload type.

The AMD EPYC 7742 wins every head-to-head benchmark recorded in the database. In Cinebench R15 multicore, it scores 5923 versus 1425 for the Ryzen 5 4600H. In Cinebench R23 multicore, the EPYC scores 58769 versus 8072. These are enormous margins that reflect the EPYC's 64-core design. For rendering, scientific computing, virtualization, database workloads, and any task that scales with thread count, the EPYC 7742 is the dominant choice.

The single-core results also favor the EPYC, which is notable given the Ryzen's higher boost clock. The EPYC scores 836 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 176 for the Ryzen, and 8296 in Cinebench R23 single-core versus 1142.5. This means the EPYC wins even in lightly threaded tasks, not just heavily parallel ones.

The AMD Ryzen 5 4600H wins in portability and power envelope. It has a 45 W TDP versus 225 W for the EPYC 7742. The Ryzen is a mobile processor with integrated Radeon RX Vega 6 graphics, making it suitable for laptops where space, cooling, and battery life matter. The EPYC requires a server platform with substantial cooling and power delivery.

The Ryzen also offers a broader set of benchmark data points in the database, including 3DMark tests, Geekbench, and Passmark workloads. It scores 4387 in 3DMark with 16 threads, 2543 with 4 threads, and 675 in single-thread. These results are not comparable directly to the EPYC since the EPYC lacks those specific benchmark entries, but they show the Ryzen is a capable all-round mobile processor.

Architecture Differences

Both processors share the Zen 2 architecture and the 7 nm TSMC process node, but they diverge significantly in implementation.

The Ryzen 5 4600H uses the Renoir codename and is built for mobile. It has 6 cores and 12 threads, with a base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost clock of 4.00 GHz. Its cache layout includes 64 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 8 MB of shared L3 cache. The processor uses 9,800 million transistors on a 156 mm² die.

The EPYC 7742 uses the Rome codename and is built for servers. It has 64 cores and 128 threads, with a base clock of 2.25 GHz and boost clock of 3.40 GHz. Its cache layout includes 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a massive 256 MB of shared L3 cache. The processor uses 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die.

The transistor and die size numbers are counterintuitive at first glance. The EPYC reports fewer transistors and a smaller die size than the Ryzen, which reflects the chiplet-based design of Rome. The EPYC uses multiple chiplets, each with 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die, combined with separate I/O dies to reach 64 cores. The Ryzen's Renoir design is a monolithic die with 9,800 million transistors on 156 mm².

The EPYC supports PCIe Gen 4, while the Ryzen supports PCIe Gen 3. The EPYC also supports ECC memory and uses eight-channel memory, while the Ryzen uses dual-channel memory without ECC.

Specification Differences

The core counts differ dramatically: 6 cores and 12 threads for the Ryzen 5 4600H versus 64 cores and 128 threads for the EPYC 7742.

Clock speeds: the Ryzen has a base clock of 3.00 GHz and boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The EPYC has a base clock of 2.25 GHz and boost clock of 3.40 GHz. The Ryzen has higher clocks per core, but the EPYC compensates with far more cores.

TDP: the Ryzen uses 45 W, the EPYC uses 225 W. This is a fivefold difference in power draw, which explains the different cooling and platform requirements.

Memory: the Ryzen supports dual-channel DDR4 with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth. The EPYC supports eight-channel DDR4 with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth. The EPYC also supports ECC memory, which the Ryzen does not.

Cache: the Ryzen has 64 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 8 MB shared L3. The EPYC has 96 KB L1 per core, 512 KB L2 per core, and 256 MB shared L3.

PCIe: the Ryzen uses Gen 3, the EPYC uses Gen 4.

Integrated graphics: the Ryzen includes Radeon RX Vega 6, the EPYC has none.

Sockets: the Ryzen uses AMD Socket FP6, the EPYC uses AMD Socket SP3.

Release dates: the Ryzen was released on 2020-01-05, the EPYC on 2019-08-06.

Both processors are listed as Active in production status. Neither has a launch MSRP recorded in the database. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The database records four direct head-to-head comparisons, all in Cinebench tests. The EPYC 7742 wins all four.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the EPYC scores 5923 against 1425 for the Ryzen. This is a 75.9% difference in favor of the EPYC. The EPYC delivers more than four times the multicore performance.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the EPYC scores 836 against 176. The delta is 78.9%. Even with the Ryzen's higher boost clock of 4.00 GHz versus 3.40 GHz, the EPYC's single-core performance is far ahead.

In Cinebench R23 multicore, the EPYC scores 58769 against 8072. The delta is 86.3%. This is the largest margin in the head-to-head set, reflecting the scaling advantage of 64 cores in a modern rendering workload.

In Cinebench R23 single-core, the EPYC scores 8296 against 1142.5. The delta is 86.2%. The EPYC is over seven times faster in this test.

The pattern is consistent: the EPYC 7742 dominates across every recorded benchmark. The Ryzen 5 4600H does not win a single head-to-head comparison in the database. The wins counter shows 0 wins for the Ryzen and 4 wins for the EPYC.

Beyond the head-to-head set, the Ryzen has additional benchmark entries in the database. Its Geekbench multicore score is 5521 and single-core is 1259. Its Passmark multithread score is 14228 and single-thread is 2418. These results place the Ryzen in the 70th percentile of all CPUs, with an average benchmark score of 16341. The EPYC also sits in the 70th percentile, with an average score of 16998.

The Verdict

The data supports a straightforward choice based on platform and workload.

Pick the AMD EPYC 7742 if you are building or populating a server or workstation. It wins every recorded benchmark against the Ryzen 5 4600H, with margins ranging from 75.9% to 86.3%. Its 64 cores, 128 threads, 256 MB of L3 cache, eight-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth, PCIe Gen 4, and ECC memory support make it a serious compute platform. The 225 W TDP and Socket SP3 requirement mean it belongs in a proper server chassis with adequate cooling and power delivery.

Pick the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H if you need a mobile processor for a laptop. Its 45 W TDP, integrated Radeon RX Vega 6 graphics, and Socket FP6 design make it suitable for portable systems. It has higher clock speeds per core than the EPYC (4.00 GHz boost versus 3.40 GHz) and still delivers solid benchmark results in its class, with an average score of 16341 and a 70th percentile ranking.

Do not choose the Ryzen for heavy parallel workloads. The EPYC's multicore scores are in a different league. Do not choose the EPYC for a laptop; its power draw and platform requirements make that impossible.

The Ryzen's nearest rivals in the database include the Intel Core i7-1260U with an average score of 16320 and a delta of 0.1%, the AMD EPYC 7543P at 16395 with a delta of -0.3%, the Intel Core i5-10600KF at 16228 with a delta of 0.7%, and the Intel Core i7-10850H at 16204 with a delta of 0.8%. The EPYC's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i7-1260P at 17007 with a delta of -0.1%, the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 at 17035 with a delta of -0.2%, the Intel Core i5-1240U at 16957 with a delta of 0.2%, and the AMD EPYC 7702 at 16932 with a delta of 0.4%.

Both processors occupy the 70th percentile of all CPUs in the database, which means they sit at similar overall performance levels relative to the full range of recorded processors. The EPYC's average score of 16998 is only 4% higher than the Ryzen's 16341, despite the massive core count advantage. This reflects that the database's average benchmark score includes single-threaded and lightly threaded tests where the Ryzen's higher clocks help close the gap.

The verdict is simple: the EPYC 7742 for server workloads, the Ryzen 5 4600H for mobile systems. The benchmark data does not support any other conclusion.