Intel Core i9-7900X vs AMD EPYC 7281

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CPU comparison with benchmarks

-VS-

CPU lineage

Intel Core i9-7900X or Intel Core i9-7900X – which processor offers superior performance? In this comparison, we examine disparities and assess which of these two CPUs outperforms the other. We delve into technical specifications and benchmark outcomes.
The Intel Core i9-7900X features 10 processor cores and has the capability to manage 20 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q2/2017 and belongs to the 7 generation of the Intel Core i9 series.
To use the Intel Core i9-7900X, you'll need a motherboard with a LGA 2066 socket.
The AMD EPYC 7281 features 16 processor cores and has the capability to manage 32 threads concurrently.
It was released in Q3/2017 and belongs to the 1 generation of the AMD EPYC series.
To use the AMD EPYC 7281, you'll need a motherboard with a SP3 socket.
Desktop / Server Segment Desktop / Server
Intel Core i9-7900X Name AMD EPYC 7281
Intel Core i9 Family AMD EPYC
7 Generation 1
Intel Core i 7000X Group AMD EPYC 7001
 
 

CPU Cores and Base Frequency

The Intel Core i9-7900X has 10 CPU cores and can calculate 20 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the Intel Core i9-7900X is 3.3 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 4.3 GHz.
The number of CPU cores greatly affects the speed of the processor and is an important performance indicator.
The AMD EPYC 7281 has 16 CPU cores and can calculate 32 threads in parallel.
The clock frequency of the AMD EPYC 7281 is 2.2 GHz
and turbo frequency for one core is 2.7 GHz.
4.3 GHz Turbo Frequency (1 core) 2.7 GHz
Yes Overclocking No
normal Core architecture normal
3.3 GHz Frequency 2.2 GHz
20 Threads 32
Yes Hyperthreading Yes
10 CPU Cores 16
10x Cores 16x
 
 

Internal Graphics

The Intel Core i9-7900X does not have integrated graphics.
The AMD EPYC 7281 does not have integrated graphics.
-- GPU frequency --
-- Release date --
-- Direct X --
GPU name
-- Technology --
-- Max. displays --
-- Shaders --
0 bytes Max. GPU Memory 0 bytes
-- Execution units --
-- Generation --
-- GPU (Turbo) --
 
 

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

-- AI specifications --
-- AI hardware --
 
 

Hardware codec support

A photo or video codec that is accelerated in hardware can greatly accelerate the working speed of a processor and extend the battery life of notebooks or smartphones when playing videos.
-- AVC --
-- VC-1 --
-- VP9 --
-- h265 / HEVC (10 bit) --
-- h264 --
-- VP8 --
-- h265 / HEVC (8 bit) --
-- JPEG --
-- AV1 --
 
 

Memory & PCIe

The processor supports a maximum memory capacity of 128.0 GB distributed across 4 memory channels. It offers a peak memory bandwidth of 85.4 GB/s. Both the type and quantity of memory can have a substantial impact on the overall system performance.
4 Memory channels 8
128.0 GB Max. Memory 0 bytes
pci PCIe pci
Yes AES-NI Yes
No ECC Yes
85.4 GB/s Bandwidth 170.6 GB/s
DDR4-2666 Memory type DDR4-2666
 
 

Thermal Management

The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 140 W watts.
TDP indicates the cooling solution needed to effectively manage the processor's heat. It generally provides an approximate indication of the actual power consumption of the CPU itself.
The processor has a thermal design power (TDP) of 170 W watts.
-- Tjunction max --
140 W TDP (PL1 / PBP) 170 W
 
 

Technical details

The Intel Core i9-7900X is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
A smaller manufacturing process indicates a more contemporary and energy-efficient CPU.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 14.0 MB cache.
A substantial cache can significantly enhance the processor's performance, particularly in scenarios like gaming.
The AMD EPYC 7281 is manufactured using a 14 nm process.
In total, this processor boasts a generous 32.0 MB cache.
Q2/2017 Release date Q3/2017
-- Part Number --
0 bytes L2-Cache 0 bytes
VT-x, VT-x EPT, VT-d Virtualization AMD-V, SVM
SSE4.1, SSE4.2, AVX2, AVX-512 ISA extensions SSE4a, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, FMA3, AVX2
Monolithic Chip design Chiplet
Skylake X Architecture Naples (Zen)
14 nm Technology 14 nm
LGA 2066 Socket SP3
Windows 10, Linux Operating systems Windows 10, Linux
989 $ Release price 625 $
Technical data sheet Documents Technical data sheet
x86-64 (64 bit) Instruction set (ISA) x86-64 (64 bit)
14.0 MB L3-Cache 32.0 MB
 
 

Benchmarks

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
41255
41255
AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
35367
35367

Estimated results for PassMark CPU Mark

AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
21988
21988
Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
21190
21190

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
10199
10199
AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
2098
2098

Geekbench 6 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
9120
9120
AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
2136
2136

Geekbench 3, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
4876
4876
AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
3175
3175

Cinebench R15 (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
2194
2194
AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
2033
2033

Geekbench 6 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
1410
1410
AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
713
713

Geekbench 5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
1133
1133
AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
664
664

Cinebench R15 (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
188
188
AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
119
119

Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Multi-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
24.1
24.1
AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
20.6
20.6

Cinebench R11.5, 64bit (Single-Core)

Intel Core i9-7900X
10C 20T @ 3.3 GHz
2.2
2.2
AMD EPYC 7281
16C 32T @ 2.2 GHz
1.5
1.5