AMD EPYC 8124P vs Intel Core i9-13980HX Comparison

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head data shows a clear split between the two processors, with the Intel Core i9-13980HX winning 12 of 17 benchmark comparisons, while the AMD EPYC 8124P takes 5 wins. However, the margins tell a more nuanced story than the raw win count.

The Intel part dominates in raw throughput tests. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, Intel scores 4717 against AMD's 3085, a 34.6% advantage. Cinebench R20 multi-core shows Intel ahead by 20.6% (16187 vs 12856). PassMark integer math favors Intel by 25.8% (166455 vs 123513), and floating point math shows an even larger gap at 39% (118645 vs 72395). PassMark multi-thread puts Intel at 46409 versus 36014, a 22.4% lead.

The AMD EPYC 8124P strikes back in specific workloads. Cinebench R23 multi-core is nearly a tie, with AMD at 30611 and Intel at 30273, a 1.1% edge for AMD. The single-core Cinebench results are remarkable: AMD wins R15 single-core by 42.9% (435 vs 304.5) and R23 single-core by an enormous 104.8% (4321 vs 2110). PassMark physics goes to AMD by 30.3% (3356 vs 2575), and find prime numbers favors AMD by 16.2% (222 vs 191).

The remaining tests show Intel ahead with varying margins. Data compression goes to Intel by 20.4% (588306 vs 468411), encryption by 13% (35332 vs 30743), extended instructions by 12.4% (33868 vs 29666), and random string sorting by a slim 3.1% (66125 vs 64067). PassMark single-thread shows Intel at 4252 versus AMD's 2271, a 46.6% advantage, though this contrasts sharply with the Cinebench single-core results where AMD leads decisively.

Overall average benchmark scores place the EPYC 8124P at 52121 versus 50398 for the Core i9-13980HX. The EPYC sits at the 91st percentile among all CPUs, while the Core i9 ranks at the 90th percentile. The nearest rivals for the EPYC include the Intel Core Ultra 5 235HX at 52073 (0.1% behind), the AMD Ryzen 9 5950X at 51947 (0.3% behind), and the Intel Core i7-14700 at 52301 (0.3% ahead). For the Core i9, the AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370 sits 0.1% ahead at 50448, and the AMD Ryzen 9 5900XT is 0.6% ahead at 50718.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core Cinebench R23 score?

A: The AMD EPYC 8124P edges out the Intel Core i9-13980HX in Cinebench R23 multi-core, scoring 30611 versus 30273, a 1.1% difference. This is the closest multi-core result between the two.

Q: How do the two compare in single-core Cinebench R20?

A: Intel wins Cinebench R20 single-core with 2285 points against AMD's 1814, a 20.6% advantage. However, the pattern reverses in Cinebench R15 and R23 single-core, where AMD leads by 42.9% and 104.8% respectively.

Q: What is the PassMark multi-thread score difference?

A: Intel scores 46409 in PassMark multi-thread, which is 22.4% higher than AMD's 36014. This aligns with Intel's broader wins across PassMark integer math, floating point math, and data compression.

Q: Which chip has better performance in PassMark physics?

A: AMD wins PassMark physics with 3356 points versus Intel's 2575, a 30.3% advantage. This is one of AMD's strongest wins in the PassMark suite.

Q: How do the average benchmark scores compare?

A: The AMD EPYC 8124P has an average benchmark score of 52121, while the Intel Core i9-13980HX averages 50398. AMD also holds a slightly higher percentile ranking at 91st versus Intel's 90th.

Q: What is the largest single benchmark margin in either direction?

A: The largest margin is AMD's 104.8% win in Cinebench R23 single-core, where AMD scores 4321 against Intel's 2110. The second largest is Intel's 46.6% lead in PassMark single-thread (4252 vs 2271).

Architecture Differences

The AMD EPYC 8124P uses the Zen 4c architecture under the Siena codename, built on a 5 nm process at TSMC. It packs 17,750 million transistors across two 73 mm² dies. The Intel Core i9-13980HX uses Raptor Lake architecture (Raptor Lake-HX codename) on Intel's 10 nm process, with a single 257 mm² die. The transistor count for Intel is not recorded in the database.

Cache configurations differ substantially. The EPYC provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 64 MB of shared L3. The Core i9 offers 80 KB of L1 per core, 2 MB of L2 per core, and 36 MB of shared L3. AMD's larger L3 pool (64 MB vs 36 MB) supports its server-oriented workload profile, while Intel's larger per-core L1 and L2 caches reflect a mobile-focused design.

Memory architecture is another major split. The EPYC supports DDR5 with a six-channel memory bus and a recorded memory bandwidth of 230.4 GB/s. The Core i9 supports both DDR4 and DDR5 with a dual-channel bus, but its memory bandwidth is not recorded in the database. Both support ECC memory.

PCIe connectivity differs sharply. AMD provides Gen 5 with 96 lanes (CPU only), while Intel provides Gen 5 with 20 lanes (CPU only). The EPYC also lacks integrated graphics, while the Core i9 includes UHD Graphics 770.

The socket and market positioning are entirely different. AMD uses Socket SP6 for the server/workstation segment, while Intel uses BGA 1964 for mobile. The EPYC has a locked multiplier, while the Core i9 has an unlocked multiplier.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD EPYC 8124P | Intel Core i9-13980HX |

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

| Cores | 16 | 24 |

| Threads | 32 | 32 |

| Base clock | 2.45 GHz | 2.20 GHz |

| Boost clock | 3.00 GHz | 5.60 GHz |

| TDP | 125 W | 55 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket SP6 | Intel BGA 1964 |

| Process node | 5 nm | 10 nm |

| Foundry | TSMC | Intel |

| Die size | 2x 73 mm² | 257 mm² |

| L1 cache | 64 KB (per core) | 80 KB (per core) |

| L2 cache | 1 MB (per core) | 2 MB (per core) |

| L3 cache | 64 MB (shared) | 36 MB (shared) |

| Memory support | DDR5 | DDR4, DDR5 |

| Memory bus | Six-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory bandwidth | 230.4 GB/s | Not recorded |

| PCIe | Gen 5, 96 Lanes | Gen 5, 20 Lanes |

| Integrated graphics | None | UHD Graphics 770 |

| Multiplier unlocked | No | Yes |

| Launch MSRP | $639 | $668 |

The core count difference is notable: Intel has 24 cores versus AMD's 16, yet both present 32 threads. The EPYC's base clock is higher at 2.45 GHz versus 2.20 GHz, but Intel's boost clock reaches 5.60 GHz versus 3.00 GHz, reflecting the mobile part's aggressive single-core boosting strategy. TDP is dramatically different: 125 W for the server chip versus 55 W for the mobile chip.

The Verdict

The data supports a clear division of purpose. The Intel Core i9-13980HX wins the majority of head-to-head benchmarks (12 of 17), with particularly strong showings in PassMark workloads: integer math (25.8% ahead), floating point math (39% ahead), multi-thread (22.4% ahead), and data compression (20.4% ahead). Its Cinebench R20 multi-core lead of 20.6% and R15 multi-core lead of 34.6% reinforce a pattern of general-purpose throughput dominance.

The AMD EPYC 8124P, despite fewer wins, shows exceptional strength in specific areas. Its Cinebench R23 single-core score of 4321 is more than double Intel's 2110, and its physics benchmark advantage of 30.3% suggests specialized compute efficiency. The near tie in Cinebench R23 multi-core (1.1% edge for AMD) is notable given Intel's 24-core versus AMD's 16-core configuration.

For users prioritizing raw multi-threaded throughput across diverse workloads, the Intel Core i9-13980HX is the data-backed choice. Its PassMark multi-thread score of 46409 versus 36014 and floating point advantage of 39% are difficult to ignore. For workloads that stress single-core Cinebench performance or physics calculations, the AMD EPYC 8124P delivers superior results. The database places AMD slightly higher in average score (52121 vs 50398) and percentile (91st vs 90th), but the head-to-head results favor Intel in most tests.

Where Each One Wins

Intel Core i9-13980HX wins in: Cinebench R15 multicore (4717 vs 3085), Cinebench R20 multicore (16187 vs 12856), Cinebench R20 singlecore (2285 vs 1814), PassMark data compression (588306 vs 468411), PassMark data encryption (35332 vs 30743), PassMark extended instructions (33868 vs 29666), PassMark floating point math (118645 vs 72395), PassMark integer math (166455 vs 123513), PassMark multithread (46409 vs 36014), PassMark random string sorting (66125 vs 64067), PassMark single thread (4252 vs 2271), and PassMark singlethread (4252 vs 2271).

AMD EPYC 8124P wins in: Cinebench R15 singlecore (435 vs 304.5), Cinebench R23 multicore (30611 vs 30273), Cinebench R23 singlecore (4321 vs 2110), PassMark find prime numbers (222 vs 191), and PassMark physics (3356 vs 2575).

The Intel part is the choice for encryption, compression, and math-heavy tasks where its PassMark leads range from 12.4% to 39%. The AMD part is the choice for Cinebench R23 single-core workloads, prime number calculations, and physics simulations, where its margins range from 16.2% to 104.8%. The two processors essentially tie in Cinebench R23 multi-core, with AMD holding a 1.1% edge that falls within a narrow margin. Data compression and random string sorting are close as well, with Intel leading by 20.4% and 3.1% respectively.