AMD EPYC 9274F vs AMD Ryzen 5 2600E Comparison

The AMD Ryzen 5 2600E and the AMD EPYC 9274F occupy opposite ends of the performance spectrum, yet their average benchmark scores are surprisingly close. The Ryzen 5 2600E posts an average benchmark score of 18230, while the EPYC 9274F scores 18189, a negligible difference of 0.2%. Both processors sit at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs. However, this overall parity masks a complete divergence in workload characteristics. The data reveals a 6-core desktop chip from 2018 and a 24-core server processor from 2022 that, while averaging similar scores, deliver vastly different raw capabilities across specific tests.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The head-to-head comparison is entirely one-sided. Across all six Cinebench tests, the AMD EPYC 9274F wins decisively, with a consistent deltaPct of -83.3% against the Ryzen 5 2600E in every single test. This means the EPYC scores roughly six times higher in each workload.

In Cinebench R15 multicore, the EPYC 9274F scores 6338 against the Ryzen's 1057. The single-core test shows a similar ratio: 894 for the EPYC versus 149 for the Ryzen. The pattern holds in Cinebench R20, where the EPYC's multicore score of 26411 dwarfs the Ryzen's 4407, and its single-core score of 3728 far exceeds the Ryzen's 622. The gap becomes most pronounced in Cinebench R23, the most demanding test. The EPYC 9274F achieves 62884 in multicore performance, while the Ryzen 5 2600E manages only 10494. In R23 single-core, the EPYC scores 8877 against the Ryzen's 1481.

The consistency of the -83.3% delta across all tests is notable. It indicates that the performance advantage is not workload-specific but rather a fundamental capability gap. The EPYC's dominance is uniform whether the test loads one core or all cores. This suggests an architectural superiority that scales linearly across different thread counts and instruction mixes.

Despite this overwhelming defeat in every measured benchmark, the average scores of the two processors are nearly identical. This is because the Ryzen 5 2600E has a richer set of benchmark data points, including PassMark tests, while the EPYC 9274F only has Cinebench results in its profile. The Ryzen's additional scores in data compression, encryption, and math operations pull its average up to parity with the server chip.

Where Each One Wins

The Ryzen 5 2600E wins nowhere in the direct head-to-head Cinebench comparison. It loses all six tests. However, its benchmark profile includes data that the EPYC lacks, offering some insight into its strengths relative to other CPUs in its class. The Ryzen 5 2600E achieves a PassMark single-thread score of 2297, which indicates capable per-core performance for a 12 nm processor. Its multithread score of 12346 shows it can handle moderate parallel workloads.

The EPYC 9274F wins every available comparison test. Its strengths are most evident in heavily threaded environments. The Cinebench R23 multicore score of 62884 is roughly six times the Ryzen's 10494, reflecting the EPYC's 24 cores and 48 threads. The single-core advantage is equally stark, with 8877 versus 1481 in R23, suggesting that even a single Zen 4 core outperforms a Zen+ core by a massive margin.

The EPYC's real-world advantage lies in its memory subsystem. It supports DDR5 with a twelve-channel memory bus and a memory bandwidth of 460.8 GB/s. The Ryzen 5 2600E is limited to dual-channel DDR4. For memory-intensive server workloads, this bandwidth difference is likely decisive, though no direct memory benchmark appears in the data.

The Ryzen 5 2600E has a niche in desktop applications where its 65-watt thermal design power and lower core count make it a more modest fit. Its PassMark data compression score of 173653 and integer math score of 39781 show it can handle everyday computing tasks. The EPYC, with its 320-watt TDP, is clearly oriented toward sustained server workloads rather than desktop responsiveness.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different eras of AMD design. The Ryzen 5 2600E uses the Zen architecture on a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, with a die size of 192 mm² and 4,800 million transistors. It is built on the Zen+ microarchitecture, specifically the Pinnacle Ridge generation, and fits the AMD Socket AM4 platform.

The EPYC 9274F uses the Zen 4 architecture on a 5 nm process from TSMC, with a multi-chip design of 8x 72 mm² dies totaling 52,560 million transistors. It belongs to the Genoa generation of the EPYC 9004 series and requires the AMD Socket SP5 platform.

Core and cache configurations differ substantially. The Ryzen 5 2600E has 6 cores and 12 threads, while the EPYC 9274F has 24 cores and 48 threads. The Ryzen offers 96 KB of L1 cache per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and 16 MB of shared L3 cache. The EPYC provides 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and a massive 256 MB of shared L3 cache.

Clock speeds also differ. The Ryzen 5 2600E has a base clock of 3.10 GHz and a boost clock of 4.00 GHz. The EPYC 9274F runs at a base clock of 4.05 GHz and boosts to 4.30 GHz. Despite having four times the cores, the EPYC maintains a higher base clock, indicating a more advanced process node that allows for higher frequencies at higher power envelopes.

Memory support is another major divergence. The Ryzen 5 2600E uses dual-channel DDR4 without ECC support. The EPYC 9274F uses twelve-channel DDR5 with ECC support and a specified memory bandwidth of 460.8 GB/s. The EPYC also supports PCIe Gen 5 with 128 lanes from the CPU, while the Ryzen's PCIe configuration is not listed in the data.

FAQ

Q: Which processor has more cores and threads?

A: The AMD EPYC 9274F has 24 cores and 48 threads, while the AMD Ryzen 5 2600E has 6 cores and 12 threads.

Q: How much faster is the EPYC in Cinebench R23 multicore?

A: The EPYC scores 62884 versus the Ryzen's 10494, a delta of -83.3% relative to the EPYC.

Q: Does the Ryzen 5 2600E win any benchmark in the head-to-head comparison?

A: No. The EPYC 9274F wins all six Cinebench tests, with zero wins for the Ryzen.

Q: What memory types do the two processors support?

A: The Ryzen 5 2600E supports dual-channel DDR4, while the EPYC 9274F supports twelve-channel DDR5 with ECC and 460.8 GB/s bandwidth.

Q: Are the average benchmark scores similar despite the performance gap?

A: Yes. The Ryzen 5 2600E averages 18230, and the EPYC averages 18189, a difference of only 0.2%.

Q: What are the process nodes for each chip?

A: The Ryzen 5 2600E uses a 12 nm process from GlobalFoundries, while the EPYC 9274F uses a 5 nm process from TSMC.

The Verdict

The data points to a clear conclusion: the AMD EPYC 9274F is the superior processor in every measured category. It wins all six head-to-head benchmarks with a consistent -83.3% delta, meaning it delivers roughly six times the performance of the Ryzen 5 2600E in Cinebench tests. For any workload that benefits from high core counts, high clock speeds, or large cache, the EPYC is the obvious choice.

The Ryzen 5 2600E is not without merit, but its strengths are relative to its own class. It achieves an average benchmark score of 18230, placing it at the 72nd percentile of all CPUs, alongside rivals like the Intel Core i7-8700 and the Intel Core i7-9700. Its PassMark scores, including a single-thread score of 2297 and a multithread score of 12346, indicate it is a capable desktop processor for its era.

Pick the EPYC 9274F if you need maximum processing power for server or workstation tasks. Its 24 cores, 48 threads, 256 MB of L3 cache, and twelve-channel DDR5 memory support make it suitable for demanding parallel workloads. The EPYC's launch MSRP of $3060 reflects its enterprise positioning.

Pick the Ryzen 5 2600E if you are building a desktop system on a modest scale and prefer a 65-watt processor with a smaller footprint. Its dual-channel DDR4 support and lack of ECC memory limit its server applicability, but its 6-core, 12-thread configuration handles standard desktop tasks adequately. The average scores of both chips are nearly identical, but that parity is an artifact of incomplete benchmark data for the EPYC, not a reflection of comparable real-world performance.

Specification Differences

| Specification | AMD Ryzen 5 2600E | AMD EPYC 9274F |

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

| Cores | 6 | 24 |

| Threads | 12 | 48 |

| Base Clock | 3.10 GHz | 4.05 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 4.00 GHz | 4.30 GHz |

| TDP | 65 W | 320 W |

| Socket | AMD Socket AM4 | AMD Socket SP5 |

| Architecture | Zen (Zen+) | Zen 4 (Genoa) |

| Process Node | 12 nm | 5 nm |

| Foundry | GlobalFoundries | TSMC |

| Transistors | 4,800 million | 52,560 million |

| Die Size | 192 mm² | 8x 72 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 96 KB (per core) | 64 KB (per core) |

| L2 Cache | 512 KB (per core) | 1 MB (per core) |

| L3 Cache | 16 MB (shared) | 256 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR4 | DDR5 |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Twelve-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | Not specified | 460.8 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Not specified | Gen 5, 128 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Market Segment | Desktop | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2018-09-18 | 2022-11-09 |

| Launch MSRP | Not specified | $3060 |

| Part Number | Not specified | 100-100000794 |