AMD EPYC 7402P

The AMD EPYC 7402P is a 24-core, 48-thread server processor built on the Zen 2 (Rome) architecture, targeting the Server/Workstation segment. It holds a 70th percentile position among all CPUs in the benchmark database, with an average benchmark score of 9529. Released on August 6, 2019, this processor remains in active production, and its launch MSRP is $1280. The data shows a chip designed for heavy multi-threaded workloads, with a modest single-thread showing that places it close to several consumer and mobile parts in aggregate performance.

Platform and Compatibility

The EPYC 7402P uses the AMD Socket SP3 platform, which is the foundation for the EPYC 7002 series. It supports DDR4 memory across an eight-channel bus, yielding a peak memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. ECC memory is enabled, making it suitable for error-sensitive server and workstation environments. For expansion, the processor provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only), allowing extensive I/O for storage controllers, network adapters, and accelerators. The architecture is Zen 2, fabricated on TSMC's 7 nm process with 3,800 million transistors on a 74 mm² die. The L3 cache is 128 MB shared, with 96 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 per core. As part of the EPYC 7002 series, the 7402P fits into the same socket generation as other Rome processors, though upgrade paths beyond this family are not indicated by the data. The multiplier is locked, so overclocking is not an option.

Power and Thermals

The EPYC 7402P carries a TDP of 180 W. This places it in a high-power class that requires a robust cooling solution, typically a large tower air cooler or a liquid cooling loop capable of dissipating that level of heat. The 7 nm process helps manage thermal density, but the sheer core count and sustained load demand a cooling tier well beyond what a stock low-profile cooler can handle. In a server chassis, this usually means high-static-pressure fans and optimized airflow. The locked multiplier means no voltage or frequency tuning is possible, so thermal management relies entirely on the platform's cooling design and the processor's default power envelope.

Benchmark Performance

Benchmark results show a processor that excels in multi-threaded tasks while delivering moderate single-thread performance. In Cinebench R23, the EPYC 7402P scores 37,195 multi-core and 5,251 single-core. The R20 run yields 15,621 multi and 2,205 single, while R15 produces 3,749 multi and 529 single. Geekbench results are 10,476 multi-core and 1,204 single-core. The average benchmark score across the database is 9,529.

Compared to its four nearest rivals, the EPYC 7402P sits within a narrow performance band. It is 0.3% higher than the Intel Core i7-7700HQ (avg score 9,498) and 1.3% higher than the Intel Xeon Platinum 8180 (avg score 9,406). Conversely, it is 0.9% lower than the Intel Core i5-1135G7 (avg score 9,620) and 1.7% lower than the Intel Core i5-1035G1 (avg score 9,691). These deltas are small, indicating that the EPYC 7402P's aggregate performance is comparable to a set of very different processors, ranging from a mobile quad-core to a high-end server chip. The multi-core scores, however, reveal its true strength: the Cinebench R23 multi-core result is over seven times the single-core figure, a scaling ratio consistent with a 24-core, 48-thread design.

How It Compares

Intel Core i7-7700HQ: This mobile quad-core processor averages 9,498 in the benchmark database, putting it 0.3% behind the EPYC 7402P. The difference is negligible, but the EPYC's multi-thread advantage is vast, its R23 multi-core score of 37,195 dwarfs what a 4-core/8-thread part can achieve. The i7-7700HQ's single-thread performance is likely closer to the EPYC's, but the overall average masks the massive core-count disparity.

Intel Core i5-1135G7: The i5-1135G7, a low-power mobile chip, posts an average score of 9,620, which is 0.9% higher than the EPYC 7402P. This is surprising given the EPYC's 24 cores, but the i5's higher single-thread speed and efficient design allow it to edge out the server part in aggregate. The EPYC's multi-thread workload advantage is still decisive for parallel tasks, but for lightly threaded applications, the i5-1135G7 holds a slight lead.

Intel Xeon Platinum 8180: This 28-core server processor averages 9,406, placing it 1.3% below the EPYC 7402P. The EPYC outperforms the Xeon in the benchmark aggregate, despite having fewer cores (24 vs 28). This suggests the Zen 2 architecture's IPC and memory bandwidth advantages are enough to overcome the core deficit. The EPYC's 204.8 GB/s eight-channel memory bandwidth and 128 MB L3 cache contribute to its strong multi-thread showing.

Intel Core i5-1035G1: Another mobile part, the i5-1035G1, averages 9,691, which is 1.7% higher than the EPYC 7402P. Like the i5-1135G7, this chip benefits from a higher single-thread clock and lower latency, but its multi-core performance is nowhere near the EPYC's. The EPYC's average score is pulled down by its modest single-thread results, yet for server workloads that scale across cores, the EPYC is in a different class.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The EPYC 7402P's single-thread scores are modest: 5,251 in Cinebench R23, 2,205 in R20, 529 in R15, and 1,204 in Geekbench. These numbers are typical of a server-oriented chip with a base clock of 2.80 GHz and a boost clock of 3.35 GHz. In contrast, the multi-thread scores are exceptional, 37,195 in R23, 15,621 in R20, 3,749 in R15, and 10,476 in Geekbench. The ratio between multi and single in R23 is roughly 7.1x, indicating excellent scaling across the 24 cores and 48 threads. For real workloads, this means the processor is far better suited to heavily threaded tasks such as virtualization, database queries, 3D rendering, and scientific simulation. Single-thread-bound applications, like many legacy games or single-threaded productivity tools, will not see the same benefit; the EPYC's performance there is adequate but not outstanding, as evidenced by its single-core scores that are comparable to mid-range consumer parts.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the AMD EPYC 7402P use?

A: It uses the AMD Socket SP3.

Q: Does it support ECC memory?

A: Yes, ECC memory is supported.

Q: How many PCIe lanes does it provide?

A: It provides 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes (CPU only).

Q: What is the TDP of the EPYC 7402P?

A: The TDP is 180 W.

Q: What is the launch MSRP of this processor?

A: The launch MSRP is $1280.

Q: What is the average benchmark score of the EPYC 7402P?

A: The average benchmark score is 9,529.

Who Should Consider It

The EPYC 7402P is best suited for workloads that demand massive multi-threaded throughput. Its 24 cores and 48 threads, combined with 128 MB of L3 cache and eight-channel DDR4 memory, make it a strong choice for server virtualization, large-scale data processing, and compute-heavy scientific applications. The Cinebench R23 multi-core score of 37,195 and Geekbench multi-core score of 10,476 indicate that any parallel task will see substantial benefit. For gaming, the modest single-thread scores (e.g., 5,251 in R23 single) suggest that a consumer desktop CPU with higher clock speeds would be more appropriate, though the EPYC could still handle gaming if paired with a capable GPU and a workload that uses multiple cores. Office productivity and general desktop use would be underutilized, as the processor's strengths lie in scaling across many threads rather than in quick single-thread responses. Users in the server/workstation segment who can leverage all 48 threads will find the EPYC 7402P a capable and balanced performer, especially given its active production status and established platform.