AMD EPYC 8124P vs Intel Core i7-14700F Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The benchmark data presents a clear picture of two very different processors with distinct strengths. The Intel Core i7-14700F wins 12 of the 17 recorded comparisons, while the AMD EPYC 8124P takes 5. But the margin of victory matters as much as the count.

The most striking result is in single-thread performance. In Passmark single-thread testing, the i7-14700F scores 4257 against 2271 for the EPYC 8124P, a 87.5% advantage. That is an enormous gap, and it reflects the fundamental design priorities of each chip. The Intel part boosts to 5.40 GHz, while the AMD server processor tops out at 3.00 GHz. For any workload that depends on a single core, the Intel processor is in a different league.

The Cinebench suite reinforces this pattern. Across all six Cinebench tests, the Intel part wins by 14.7% or 14.8%. In Cinebench R23 multi-core, the i7-14700F scores 35122 against 30611 for the EPYC, a 14.7% lead. Single-core R23 shows 4958 versus 4321, again 14.7%. The consistency of these deltas across both single and multi-threaded workloads suggests a balanced advantage rather than a niche one.

Floating point math is where Intel runs away with it. The Passmark floating point score is 107005 for Intel versus 72395 for AMD, a 47.8% lead. Integer math also favors Intel: 155808 against 123513, a 26.1% margin. These are substantial computational wins that will matter for scientific and engineering workloads.

Passmark multi-thread shows the Intel part at 41317 versus 36014, a 14.7% advantage. Data compression follows with 505885 against 468411, an 8% lead. These results are interesting because the EPYC 8124P has fewer cores (16 versus 20) but more threads (32 versus 28). Despite the thread count advantage for AMD, the Intel processor still comes out ahead in most multi-threaded tests.

However, the EPYC 8124P has its own pockets of strength. The largest Intel loss is in Passmark physics, where AMD scores 3356 against 2455 for Intel, a 26.8% lead for the EPYC. Random string sorting also favors AMD at 64067 versus 55918 for Intel, a 26.8% margin. Find prime numbers goes to AMD by 20.7% (222 versus 176). Data encryption shows a narrower 1.9% AMD win (30743 versus 30743), and extended instructions shows a 3.7% AMD win (29666 versus 28564).

The pattern in Passmark physics is worth investigating. The EPYC more than doubles Intel in that specific test. This suggests the AMD architecture handles certain types of physics simulations more efficiently, even with lower clock speeds. Random string sorting and prime number generation follow similar paths. These are specialized workloads where raw clock speed matters less than the efficiency of the instruction pipeline.

The average benchmark scores in the database place these chips close together overall. The Intel i7-14700F has an average benchmark score of 53620, while the EPYC 8124P sits at 52121. Both sit at the 91st percentile of all CPUs recorded. The nearest rivals for the Intel part include the Intel Xeon 6505P (53701, a 0.2% gap), the AMD Ryzen 9 7900X (53288, 0.6%), and the AMD EPYC 7313P (53206, 0.8%). For the EPYC 8124P, its closest competitors include the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX (52073, 0.1%), the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X (51947, 0.3%), and the Intel Core i7-14700 (52301, a 0.3% gap). These near-identical average scores hide the very different performance profiles underneath.

FAQ

Q: Which processor wins more benchmark comparisons?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700F wins 12 of the 17 recorded head-to-head benchmarks, while the AMD EPYC 8124P wins 5.

Q: How large is the single-thread performance gap?

A: In Passmark single-thread testing, the Intel Core i7-14700F scores 4257 versus 2271 for the AMD EPYC 8124P, a 87.5% advantage for Intel.

Q: Does the EPYC 8124P win any benchmark categories?

A: Yes. The AMD EPYC 8124P wins in Passmark physics (3356 versus 2455, a 26.8% lead), random string sorting (64067 versus 55918, a 12.7% lead), find prime numbers (222 versus 176, a 20.7% lead), data encryption (30743 versus 30144, a 1.9% lead), and extended instructions (29666 versus 28564, a 3.7% lead).

Q: What is the overall average benchmark score for each processor?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700F has an average benchmark score of 53620, and the AMD EPYC 8124P has an average benchmark score of 52121. Both are at the 91st percentile of all CPUs.

Q: How do the two processors compare in Cinebench R23 multi-core?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700F scores 35122, while the AMD EPYC 8124P scores 30611. Intel leads by 14.7%.

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The Intel Core i7-14700F has 20 cores and 28 threads. The AMD EPYC 8124P has 16 cores and 32 threads.

Architecture Differences

The architectural gulf between these two processors is wide. The Intel Core i7-14700F uses Raptor Lake architecture, specifically the Raptor Lake-R refresh, built on Intel's 10 nm process. The AMD EPYC 8124P uses Zen 4c architecture, codenamed Siena, built on TSMC's 5 nm process. This process difference matters: the AMD part packs 17,750 million transistors across two 73 mm² dies, while the Intel part uses a single 257 mm² die.

The cache hierarchies differ significantly. The Intel part offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 33 MB of shared L3 cache. The AMD part provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a much larger 64 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC's larger L3 cache likely contributes to its wins in data-heavy workloads like random string sorting.

Memory support diverges sharply. The Intel processor supports both DDR4 and DDR5 memory in a dual-channel configuration. The AMD EPYC supports DDR5 only, but in a six-channel configuration with a recorded memory bandwidth of 230.4 GB/s. The EPYC's wider memory bus is a server-focused design choice.

PCI Express connectivity also separates these chips. The Intel part provides Gen 5 with 16 lanes from the CPU. The AMD EPYC provides Gen 5 with 96 lanes, a massive difference for server expansion. Both support ECC memory, and neither has integrated graphics.

The market segments tell the story: the Intel part is a desktop processor, while the AMD part targets server and workstation use. The EPYC 8124P uses AMD Socket SP6, while the i7-14700F uses Intel Socket 1700. The Intel part has a 65 TDP, the AMD part a 125 TDP. Neither has an unlocked multiplier.

Release dates differ by several months. The Intel Core i7-14700F launched on 2024-01-07, while the AMD EPYC 8124P launched on 2023-09-17. The launch MSRP for the Intel part is $359, and for the AMD part it is $639.

Specification Differences

The core and thread counts differ. The Intel Core i7-14700F has 20 cores and 28 threads. The AMD EPYC 8124P has 16 cores and 32 threads. The AMD part offers more threads despite fewer cores, which reflects its simultaneous multithreading design.

Clock speeds favor Intel decisively. The i7-14700F has a base clock of 2.10 GHz and a boost clock of 5.40 GHz. The EPYC 8124P has a base clock of 2.45 GHz and a boost clock of 3.00 GHz. Intel's boost advantage of 2.40 GHz explains its dominance in single-threaded benchmarks.

Power consumption differs. The Intel part has a TDP of 65, while the AMD part has a TDP of 125. This is notable given that the Intel part delivers higher performance in most benchmarks despite a lower TDP.

Process nodes differ. Intel uses 10 nm, while AMD uses 5 nm from TSMC. The AMD part also has a different die configuration: two 73 mm² dies versus a single 257 mm² die for Intel.

Cache configurations differ in size. The Intel part has 80 KB L1 per core, 2 MB L2 per core, and 33 MB shared L3. The AMD part has 64 KB L1 per core, 1 MB L2 per core, and 64 MB shared L3.

Memory channels differ. Intel supports dual-channel DDR4 and DDR5. AMD supports six-channel DDR5 with a memory bandwidth of 230.4 GB/s. PCIe lanes also differ: 16 for Intel, 96 for AMD.

The part numbers and sockets differ as expected: Intel Socket 1700 with part number SRN3Z for Intel, AMD Socket SP6 with part number 100-000001135 for AMD.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-14700F is the clear choice for single-threaded and general computing workloads. Its 87.5% lead in Passmark single-thread performance, along with consistent 14.7% wins across all Cinebench tests, makes it dominant for everyday applications, desktop productivity, and any software that relies on a few fast cores rather than many slower ones.

The Intel part also wins in floating point math (47.8% lead), integer math (26.1% lead), data compression (8% lead), and multi-thread workloads (14.7% lead). These results suggest it handles a broad range of computational tasks with higher throughput. The 20 cores running at up to 5.40 GHz give it a versatility that the EPYC cannot match in most scenarios.

The AMD EPYC 8124P wins in specific, specialized workloads. Its 26.8% lead in Passmark physics, 20.7% lead in find prime numbers, and 12.7% lead in random string sorting point to a different computational profile. These are workloads where the Zen 4c architecture's efficiency and the larger 64 MB L3 cache provide advantages.

The EPYC also edges out Intel in data encryption (1.9% lead) and extended instructions (3.7% lead). These wins, while modest, indicate that certain server-oriented instruction paths are more efficient on the AMD part.

The EPYC's six-channel memory bus with 230.4 GB/s bandwidth and 96 PCIe Gen 5 lanes make it the better foundation for memory-intensive server deployments. The Intel part, with dual-channel memory and 16 PCIe lanes, is not designed for such expansion.

For a desktop user seeking maximum clock speed and single-thread performance, the Intel part wins decisively. For a server operator running specific workloads like physics simulations, prime number calculations, or data sorting, the EPYC's specialized strengths matter more.

The Verdict

The data tells a clear story. The Intel Core i7-14700F is the stronger overall processor in most benchmark categories. It wins 12 of 17 comparisons, including every Cinebench test and the most important general-purpose Passmark tests. Its average benchmark score of 53620 exceeds the EPYC's 52121. The 87.5% single-thread advantage alone makes it the obvious choice for any workload that values per-core performance.

The AMD EPYC 8124P is not without merit. Its 5 benchmark wins are concentrated in specialized areas: physics, prime numbers, random string sorting, encryption, and extended instructions. The larger L3 cache and six-channel memory bandwidth serve these workloads well. For server operators running these specific task types, the EPYC's strengths are relevant.

The launch MSRP for the Intel Core i7-14700F is $359, and for the AMD EPYC 8124P it is $639. The Intel part also consumes less power with a 65 TDP versus 125 for AMD.

For a desktop builder, the Intel Core i7-14700F is the data-supported pick. It wins the majority of benchmarks, has far higher clock speeds, and delivers better average performance. For a server operator whose workloads match the EPYC's five wins, the AMD part offers a specialized advantage, particularly with its 96 PCIe lanes and six-channel memory. Both processors sit at the 91st percentile, so neither is a weak choice. But the benchmark record favors Intel in most scenarios.