AMD EPYC 7773X vs AMD Ryzen 5 5500 Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 5500 and AMD EPYC 7773X are both Zen 3 designs from AMD, but they sit at opposite ends of the product stack. The Ryzen 5 5500 is a 6-core desktop processor with a 65 W TDP, while the EPYC 7773X is a 64-core server/workstation processor with a 280 W TDP. In the database's direct head-to-head set, the EPYC wins 7 of 8 tests, while the Ryzen takes the remaining single-core Geekbench test. The two chips share a 7 nm TSMC process, but their core counts, cache sizes, memory paths, and platform features diverge sharply.

The Verdict

The EPYC 7773X is the clear choice for workloads that scale across many cores. It wins every Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 test, both multi-core and single-core, and it also wins Geekbench multi-core. The Ryzen 5 5500 wins only Geekbench single-core, with a score of 1730 versus 1536, a delta of 12.6%. For users who need maximum multi-threaded throughput, the EPYC's 64 cores, 128 threads, and 768 MB shared L3 cache make it the decisive pick. For users who need a desktop part with lower power and a single-thread Geekbench advantage, the Ryzen is the better fit.

The database lists an average benchmark score of 19593 for the Ryzen and 18979 for the EPYC. Both sit at the 73rd percentile among all CPUs. The Ryzen's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-12500 (19668, delta -0.4) and Intel Core i7-10700F (19499, delta 0.5). The EPYC's nearest rivals include the Intel Core i5-1335U (18982, delta 0) and Intel Core i5-12400F (19039, delta -0.3). The direct head-to-head comparison is unambiguous: the EPYC dominates.

Architecture Differences

Both processors use the Zen 3 architecture and are manufactured on a 7 nm process at TSMC. The Ryzen 5 5500 is part of the 5000 series with the Cezanne codename, while the EPYC 7773X is part of the EPYC 7003 series with the Milan-X codename. The Ryzen has 6 cores and 12 threads; the EPYC has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Ryzen's base clock is 3.60 GHz and boost clock is 4.20 GHz; the EPYC's base clock is 2.20 GHz and boost clock is 3.50 GHz. TDP is 65 W versus 280 W.

The Ryzen contains 10,700 million transistors on a 180 mm² die. The EPYC contains 33,200 million transistors across 8x 81 mm² dies. Both have 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core, but the L3 cache differs dramatically: 16 MB on the Ryzen versus 768 MB shared on the EPYC.

Both support DDR4 memory, but the Ryzen uses a dual-channel bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. The EPYC uses an eight-channel bus with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and supports ECC memory. The Ryzen uses PCIe Gen 3; the EPYC uses PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The Ryzen is on AMD Socket AM4, while the EPYC is on AMD Socket SP3. The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier; the EPYC is locked. The Ryzen is a desktop part, while the EPYC is a server/workstation part. Release dates are 2022-04-03 for the Ryzen and 2022-03-21 for the EPYC.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The EPYC 7773X has 64 cores and 128 threads. The Ryzen 5 5500 has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: Why does the EPYC win multi-threaded benchmarks despite lower clock speeds?

A: The EPYC's base and boost clocks are lower (2.20 GHz and 3.50 GHz versus 3.60 GHz and 4.20 GHz), but it has 64 cores versus 6, 128 threads versus 12, 768 MB shared L3 versus 16 MB, and eight-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth versus dual-channel 51.2 GB/s. Those advantages drive its multi-threaded wins.

Q: Which processor wins single-thread performance?

A: It depends on the test. In Geekbench single-core, the Ryzen wins with 1730 versus 1536, a delta of 12.6%. In Cinebench R15, R20, and R23 single-core, the EPYC wins with 1104 versus 233, 4603 versus 973, and 10960 versus 2319 respectively.

Q: What are the memory differences?

A: Both support DDR4, but the Ryzen uses dual-channel memory with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth and no ECC. The EPYC uses eight-channel memory with 204.8 GB/s bandwidth and supports ECC.

Q: How much L3 cache does each processor have?

A: The Ryzen has 16 MB L3. The EPYC has 768 MB shared L3. Both have 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core.

Q: What platform features differ?

A: The Ryzen uses AMD Socket AM4 and PCIe Gen 3, while the EPYC uses AMD Socket SP3 and PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes (CPU only). The Ryzen has an unlocked multiplier; the EPYC is locked. The Ryzen is a desktop part, and the EPYC is a server/workstation part.

Specification Differences

| Field | AMD Ryzen 5 5500 | AMD EPYC 7773X |

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

| Series | 5000 series | EPYC 7003 series |

| Generation | Ryzen 5 (Zen 3 (Cezanne)) | EPYC (Zen 3 (Milan)) |

| Codename | Cezanne | Milan-X |

| Cores | 6 | 64 |

| Threads | 12 | 128 |

| Base clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 4.20 GHz | 3.50 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 280 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket SP3 |

| Transistors | 10,700 million | 33,200 million |

| Die size | 180 mm² | 8x 81 mm² |

| L3 cache | 16 MB | 768 MB (shared) |

| Memory bus | Dual-channel | Eight-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 204.8 GB/s |

| ECC memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 4, 128 Lanes(CPU only) |

| Market segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release date | 2022-04-03 | 2022-03-21 |

| Multiplier unlocked | Yes | No |

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

| Test | Ryzen 5 5500 | EPYC 7773X | Winner | Delta |

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

| Cinebench R15 multi-core | 1656 | 7825 | EPYC | -78.8% |

| Cinebench R15 single-core | 233 | 1104 | EPYC | -78.9% |

| Cinebench R20 multi-core | 6900 | 32608 | EPYC | -78.8% |

| Cinebench R20 single-core | 973 | 4603 | EPYC | -78.9% |

| Cinebench R23 multi-core | 16429 | 77639 | EPYC | -78.8% |

| Cinebench R23 single-core | 2319 | 10960 | EPYC | -78.8% |

| Geekbench multi-core | 7976 | 15554 | EPYC | -48.7% |

| Geekbench single-core | 1730 | 1536 | Ryzen | 12.6% |

The EPYC wins 7 of 8 head-to-head tests. The largest margins appear in Cinebench, where the EPYC's scores are multiples of the Ryzen's. For example, Cinebench R23 multi-core shows 77639 versus 16429, a delta of -78.8%. Cinebench R15 single-core shows 1104 versus 233, a delta of -78.9%. Geekbench multi-core is closer but still decisive: 15554 versus 7976, a delta of -48.7%. The only Ryzen win is Geekbench single-core, 1730 versus 1536, a delta of 12.6%.

The EPYC's single-core Cinebench wins are notable because the Ryzen has a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz versus 3.50 GHz). The EPYC's core count and cache size overcome that clock disadvantage in every Cinebench test.

Where Each One Wins

Based on the recorded head-to-head results, the EPYC 7773X wins in every multi-threaded test and in all three Cinebench single-core tests. That makes it the choice for rendering, scientific computing, and other heavily threaded server/workstation workloads. The Ryzen 5 5500 wins only Geekbench single-core, so it is the choice for that specific single-thread metric.

The Ryzen also has a lower TDP (65 W versus 280 W), a higher boost clock (4.20 GHz versus 3.50 GHz), and an unlocked multiplier, which suit desktop use. The EPYC counters with ECC memory, eight-channel memory, PCIe Gen 4 with 128 lanes, and 768 MB shared L3, which suit server memory and I/O demands. In the database's head-to-head set, the EPYC records 7 wins and the Ryzen records 1 win.