AMD EPYC 7452

The AMD EPYC 7452 is a 32-core, 64-thread server processor from the EPYC 7002 series, built on the Zen 2 architecture and codenamed Rome. With a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost clock of 3.35 GHz, it targets multi-threaded enterprise workloads. Benchmark data places it in the 71st percentile of all CPUs in the database, with an average benchmark score of 11279. The following analysis examines its platform, competitive positioning, power envelope, and workload behavior using the available benchmark results.

Platform and Compatibility

The EPYC 7452 uses the AMD Socket SP3, the same socket that serves the entire EPYC 7002 series. This is a server-grade platform, and the processor is listed with a market segment of "Server/Workstation." It supports DDR4 memory in an eight-channel configuration, yielding a peak memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s. ECC memory is supported, which is critical for data integrity in server environments. The processor also provides PCIe Gen 4 connectivity, enabling high-speed peripheral and storage interfaces. There is no integrated graphics, so a discrete GPU or a server management controller is required for display output. The processor was released on 2019-08-06 and remains in active production, indicating continued availability and platform support.

The underlying silicon is manufactured by TSMC on a 7 nm process node. The die contains 3,800 million transistors and measures 74 mm². Cache is organized with 96 KB of L1 per core, 512 KB of L2 per core, and a shared 128 MB L3 cache. This large L3 is typical for the Zen 2 architecture and helps reduce memory latency in multi-threaded workloads. The memory bus is eight-channel, and the total memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s is a key specification for memory-intensive server tasks. The socket is not overclockable, the multiplier is locked, so performance tuning is limited to platform-level settings such as memory frequency and power management.

The upgrade path is straightforward for systems already on the EPYC 7002 series: the EPYC 7452 can be swapped with other SP3-compatible processors from the same series, though the data does not specify which models are compatible. The production status of "Active" means the part is still available for new builds or replacements. The lack of an integrated GPU means that the platform requires a separate graphics solution, which is standard for server processors.

How It Compares

The nearest rivals in the benchmark database provide a tight cluster of performance around the EPYC 7452. The average benchmark score for the EPYC 7452 is 11279, and the four nearest competitors are all within roughly 1% of that figure.

The AMD EPYC 7402 has an average score of 11312, which is 0.3% higher than the EPYC 7452. This difference is negligible in practice; the two processors perform essentially identically in the aggregate benchmark suite. The EPYC 7402 is a slightly lower-clocked part, but the data shows no meaningful gap.

The Intel Core i3-1305U scores 11225 on average, which is 0.5% lower than the EPYC 7452. Despite being a consumer-oriented low-power processor, the i3-1305U lands in the same performance band in this benchmark set. This is surprising given the different market segments, but the data is clear: the EPYC 7452 holds a marginal edge.

The AMD EPYC 73F3 scores 11334, which is 0.5% higher than the EPYC 7452. Again, the difference is within the noise of typical benchmark variation. The EPYC 73F3 is a later-generation part, but the aggregate scores are nearly identical.

The Intel Xeon Gold 6336Y scores 11191, which is 0.8% lower than the EPYC 7452. This is the largest gap among the nearest rivals, but still under 1%. The EPYC 7452 leads this specific comparison, but the overall picture is one of very close competition.

In the broader context, the 71st percentile ranking indicates that the EPYC 7452 outperforms the majority of CPUs in the database, but it is not near the top. The average score of 11279 places it in a crowded mid-to-high tier where many server and workstation parts converge.

Power and Thermals

The EPYC 7452 has a TDP of 155 watts. This is a fixed specification that defines the maximum amount of heat the cooling system must dissipate under sustained load. For a 32-core processor, 155W is a moderate power envelope, reflecting the efficiency of the 7 nm process. The data does not specify a particular cooler type, but a TDP of 155W typically requires a robust server-grade air cooler or a liquid cooling solution capable of handling that thermal load. In a server chassis, this is usually addressed by high-static-pressure fans and heat sinks designed for the SP3 socket. The lack of an unlocked multiplier means that power draw is not user-adjustable through overclocking, but the processor may support platform power management features that can lower power consumption during idle or light loads.

The 7 nm process node and the 3,800 million transistor count suggest that the power efficiency is a design priority, but no efficiency metrics are provided in the data. The TDP of 155W is the only power-related number available, and it serves as the primary guide for thermal design.

FAQ

Q: What socket does the AMD EPYC 7452 use?

A: The EPYC 7452 uses the AMD Socket SP3.

Q: What memory type and channel configuration does it support?

A: It supports DDR4 memory in an eight-channel configuration, with a peak memory bandwidth of 204.8 GB/s and ECC support.

Q: What PCIe generation is available?

A: The processor provides PCIe Gen 4 connectivity.

Q: How many cores and threads does the EPYC 7452 have?

A: It has 32 cores and 64 threads.

Q: What is the size of the L3 cache?

A: The L3 cache is 128 MB shared across all cores.

Q: When was the EPYC 7452 released, and is it still in production?

A: It was released on 2019-08-06, and its production status is currently "Active."

Who Should Consider It

The benchmark data points to a processor that excels in multi-threaded workloads. In Cinebench R23, the EPYC 7452 scores 38993 in multi-core and 5505 in single-core. The multi-core score is roughly seven times the single-core score, indicating strong scaling across its 32 cores. This makes the EPYC 7452 well suited for rendering, scientific computing, virtualization, and other parallel tasks that can utilize many threads.

For content creation, the high multi-core scores in Cinebench R15 (3930), R20 (16377), and R23 (38993) suggest that it can handle heavy 3D rendering and video encoding efficiently. The large 128 MB L3 cache also helps with datasets that fit within that capacity.

For gaming, the single-core scores are moderate, Cinebench R23 single-core is 5505, which is lower than the multi-core score. Games that rely on a few fast cores may not see a significant advantage from the EPYC 7452, though the high thread count can assist with background tasks. However, the server-oriented platform lacks integrated graphics and is not designed for consumer gaming systems.

Office and general productivity workloads that are lightly threaded will not fully utilize the processor's capabilities. The single-thread performance is adequate, but the EPYC 7452 is best deployed where its 64 threads can be put to work. Organizations running database servers, enterprise applications, or virtualized environments will benefit from the high memory bandwidth and ECC support.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The split between single-thread and multi-thread performance is the defining characteristic of the EPYC 7452. Across all three Cinebench versions, the multi-core score is approximately 7.1 times the single-core score: R15 gives 3930/554 = 7.1, R20 gives 16377/2312 = 7.1, and R23 gives 38993/5505 = 7.1. This consistent ratio shows that the processor scales almost linearly with core count when the workload is parallelizable.

The single-thread scores themselves are not exceptional, R23 single-core of 5505 is modest compared to high-end desktop processors, but they are sufficient for typical server tasks. The architecture prioritizes throughput over latency, with a base clock of 2.20 GHz and a boost of 3.35 GHz. The relatively low base clock is common for high-core-count server parts to stay within the 155W TDP.

In real-world terms, a workload that is fully parallel will see near-linear speedups up to 32 cores. However, workloads that depend on a single thread will be limited by the per-core performance. This means that the EPYC 7452 is not a good fit for lightly threaded applications, but it shines in environments where many processes or threads run concurrently. The benchmark data confirms this: the multi-core scores are among the highest in the database, while the single-core scores place it in the lower half of the percentile ranking when isolated. The overall 71st percentile reflects the balance between these two extremes, with the multi-thread performance pulling the average upward.