AMD EPYC 7742 vs Intel Core i3-12100E Comparison

The AMD EPYC 7742 and Intel Core i3-12100E represent opposite ends of the computing spectrum: a 64-core server behemoth versus a 4-core desktop part. The benchmark data presents a stark, one-sided picture, with the EPYC 7742 dominating every single test in the head-to-head comparison. However, the underlying architecture and market positioning reveal that these processors are designed for entirely different workloads, making the raw score differences only part of the story.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The data shows a complete sweep for the AMD EPYC 7742 across all six Cinebench tests, with the deltas being remarkably consistent. In the multicore tests, the EPYC 7742 scores 5,923 points in Cinebench R15 versus the Core i3-12100E's 1,164 points, a delta of 408.8%. This pattern repeats in Cinebench R20, where the EPYC 7742 posts 24,682 points against the i3's 4,854 points (408.5% delta), and in Cinebench R23, where the scores are 58,769 versus 11,559 (408.4% delta).

The single-core results are equally lopsided, which might surprise given the Core i3's higher clock speeds. The EPYC 7742 scores 836 in Cinebench R15 single-core versus 164 for the i3-12100E, a 409.8% advantage. In R20 single-core, the margin is 3,484 versus 685 (408.6%), and in R23 single-core, it is 8,296 versus 1,631 (also 408.6%). The consistency of these deltas—hovering around 408-410%—suggests that the performance gap is structural rather than workload-dependent.

Beyond the head-to-head, the EPYC 7742's average benchmark score of 16,998 places it at the 70th percentile of all CPUs, with nearest rivals including the Intel Core i7-1260P (delta of -0.1%) and AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (delta of -0.2%). The Core i3-12100E also sits at the 70th percentile with an average score of 16,853, but its nearest rivals are different: the AMD Ryzen 3 7335U (0.2% higher) and Intel Core i5-1235U (0.5% lower). This indicates that while the EPYC 7742 competes with mid-range desktop and mobile parts on average, the i3-12100E is in a similar overall performance tier despite its vastly inferior Cinebench scores.

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the AMD EPYC 7742 wins all six head-to-head benchmarks with deltas exceeding 408% in every case. For any workload that relies heavily on Cinebench-style rendering or multi-threaded CPU computation, the EPYC 7742 is the only choice between these two. Its 64 cores and 128 threads provide a level of parallel throughput that the 4-core, 8-thread Core i3-12100E cannot approach.

However, the verdict is not simply "the EPYC is better." The Core i3-12100E has its own role. It is a desktop processor with integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), a 60W TDP, and support for DDR4 and DDR5 memory. The EPYC 7742 has no integrated graphics, a 225W TDP, and requires an AMD Socket SP3 server platform. The data shows that the i3-12100E's average benchmark score of 16,853 is within 1% of the EPYC's 16,998, meaning that in the broader benchmark suite (which includes PassMark tests not in the head-to-head), the i3-12100E is competitive on average. This suggests that for single-threaded or lightly-threaded tasks, the i3-12100E's higher base clock of 3.20 GHz and boost clock of 4.20 GHz provide adequate performance without the massive power and platform requirements of the EPYC.

Who should pick which? Strictly from the data, anyone needing maximum multi-core throughput for server, workstation, or rendering workloads should pick the EPYC 7742. Anyone needing a low-power desktop processor with integrated graphics for basic computing tasks should pick the Core i3-12100E, accepting that it will be roughly five times slower in Cinebench multicore tests but will consume far less power and require a simpler platform.

Architecture Differences

The architectural divide between these two processors is fundamental. The AMD EPYC 7742 uses the Zen 2 architecture on a 7nm process node from TSMC, with a die size of 74 mm² and 3,800 million transistors. It is part of the EPYC 7002 series, codenamed Rome, and fits into the AMD Socket SP3. The Intel Core i3-12100E uses the Alder Lake architecture on Intel's 10nm process, with a die size of 163 mm², and fits into Intel Socket 1700.

Cache hierarchies differ substantially. The EPYC 7742 has 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 cache per core, and a massive 256 MB of shared L3 cache. The Core i3-12100E has 80 KB of L1 per core, 1.25 MB of L2 per core, and only 12 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC's 256 MB L3 cache is likely a key factor in its Cinebench performance, as it can hold far more working data for the 64 cores.

Memory support also diverges. The EPYC 7742 supports DDR4 memory with an eight-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s, plus ECC memory support. The Core i3-12100E supports both DDR4 and DDR5, but only has a dual-channel memory bus and does not support ECC. The EPYC also features PCIe Gen 4, while the Core i3 offers PCIe Gen 5 with 20 lanes from the CPU.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores?

A: The AMD EPYC 7742 has 64 cores and 128 threads, while the Intel Core i3-12100E has 4 cores and 8 threads.

Q: What is the performance difference in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The EPYC 7742 scores 58,769 points, which is 408.4% higher than the Core i3-12100E's 11,559 points.

Q: Do both processors support ECC memory?

A: No. The EPYC 7742 supports ECC memory, while the Core i3-12100E does not.

Q: Which processor has a higher boost clock?

A: The Core i3-12100E has a boost clock of 4.20 GHz, which is higher than the EPYC 7742's 3.40 GHz boost clock.

Q: What integrated graphics does the Core i3-12100E have?

A: The Core i3-12100E includes Intel UHD Graphics 730, while the EPYC 7742 has no integrated graphics.

Q: What is the memory bandwidth of the EPYC 7742?

A: The EPYC 7742 has an eight-channel memory bus providing 204.8 GB/s of memory bandwidth, while the Core i3-12100E has a dual-channel bus with no listed bandwidth figure.

Where Each One Wins

The AMD EPYC 7742 wins all six head-to-head Cinebench benchmarks, with deltas ranging from 408.4% to 409.8%. This makes it the clear winner for multi-threaded rendering, scientific computing, and any workload that can utilize 128 threads. The 256 MB of shared L3 cache and eight-channel memory bandwidth provide a substantial advantage for data-intensive server workloads.

The Intel Core i3-12100E wins in areas not covered by the head-to-head tests. It has integrated graphics (UHD Graphics 730), which the EPYC 7742 lacks entirely. It also has a lower TDP of 60W versus 225W, making it suitable for compact or energy-efficient desktop systems. The Core i3 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory, offering platform flexibility, and features PCIe Gen 5 connectivity, which is newer than the EPYC's Gen 4. Its higher boost clock of 4.20 GHz may give it an edge in single-threaded tasks that are not well-represented by the Cinebench single-core tests, where the EPYC still won due to its architecture.

The average benchmark scores tell a nuanced story: the EPYC 7742 averages 16,998 points, while the Core i3-12100E averages 16,853 points, a difference of less than 1%. This suggests that in a broader benchmark suite, the two processors perform similarly on average, despite the EPYC's dominance in Cinebench. The Core i3's PassMark scores (e.g., 40,885 in integer math, 31,919 in floating point math) show it is not a slouch in general computing tasks, even if it falls far behind in rendering.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 7742 | Intel Core i3-12100E |

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

| Cores | 64 | 4 |

| Threads | 128 | 8 |

| Base Clock | 2.25 GHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.40 GHz | 4.20 GHz |

| TDP | 225 W | 60 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP3 | Intel Socket 1700 |

| Architecture | Zen 2 | Alder Lake |

| Codename | Rome | Alder Lake-S |

| Process Node | 7 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Transistors | 3,800 million | Not specified |

| Die Size | 74 mm² | 163 mm² |

| 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 5, 20 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | None | UHD Graphics 730 |

| Market Segment | Server/Workstation | Desktop |

| Release Date | 2019-08-06 | 2022-01-03 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $125 |

| Part Number | 100-000000053 | SRL6U |

| Multiplier Unlocked | No | No |