Core i7-13850HX vs EPYC 7303P

Intel

Core i7-13850HX

20 Cores28 Thrd55 WWMax: 5.3 GHz2023

Popular choices:

VS
AMD

EPYC 7303P

16 Cores32 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

Popular choices:

Performance Spectrum - CPU

About PassMark

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Head-to-Head Verdict, Benchmarks, Value & Long-Term Outlook

This comparison brings together gaming FPS, productivity performance, platform differences, power efficiency, pricing context, and upgrade path so you can see which CPU actually makes more sense.

Core i7-13850HX

2023

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +11.4% higher average FPS across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Draws 55W instead of 130W, a 75W reduction.
  • Newer platform on FCBGA1964 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
  • Integrated graphics onboard with Intel UHD Graphics, while EPYC 7303P needs a discrete GPU.

Trade-offs

  • Lower PassMark (36,409 vs 36,487).
  • Smaller total L3 cache (30 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7303P, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7303P

2023

Why buy it

  • +0.2% higher PassMark.
  • +113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
  • Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 20.
  • 540% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 20) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core i7-13850HX across 4 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Launch MSRP is still $594 MSRP, while Core i7-13850HX mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
  • 136.4% higher power demand at 130W vs 55W.
  • Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core i7-13850HX moves to FCBGA1964 and DDR5.
  • No integrated graphics, while Core i7-13850HX can still boot and troubleshoot without a discrete GPU.

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-13850HX better than EPYC 7303P?
Not in a simple one-size-fits-all way. EPYC 7303P makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-13850HX is the better mainstream desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and day-to-day practicality.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, EPYC 7303P is the better fit. You are getting 0.2% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads. It also carries the larger cache pool with 113.3% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 30 MB).
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core i7-13850HX is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 7303P makes more sense if price matters more than absolute performance. Core i7-13850HX is at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $594 MSRP, and it gives you a 11.4% average FPS lead across 4 shared CPU game tests in our data. The trade-off is that EPYC 7303P is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 0.2% better PassMark. EPYC 7303P is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (61.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it is easier to justify for price-conscious builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core i7-13850HX is the more future-proof choice for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a healthier platform with FCBGA1964 and DDR5 instead of SP3. That should give you a better long-term upgrade path for motherboard, RAM, and future CPU swaps.

Games Benchmarks

Paired with RTX 4090

To accurately isolate CPU performance, all benchmarks below use an NVIDIA RTX 4090 as the reference GPU. This eliminates GPU-side bottlenecks and highlights pure processing throughput differences between the CPUs.

Note: Real-world results may vary based on your actual GPU. CPU performance impact is more visible in processing-intensive titles and high-refresh-rate gaming scenarios.

Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2

PresetCore i7-13850HXEPYC 7303P
1080p
low291 FPS159 FPS
medium284 FPS130 FPS
high229 FPS109 FPS
ultra192 FPS86 FPS
1440p
low233 FPS141 FPS
medium203 FPS113 FPS
high159 FPS89 FPS
ultra139 FPS71 FPS
4K
low161 FPS68 FPS
medium140 FPS57 FPS
high108 FPS45 FPS
ultra95 FPS37 FPS
Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2

PresetCore i7-13850HXEPYC 7303P
1080p
low348 FPS390 FPS
medium298 FPS346 FPS
high251 FPS283 FPS
ultra227 FPS225 FPS
1440p
low303 FPS329 FPS
medium270 FPS297 FPS
high228 FPS251 FPS
ultra195 FPS192 FPS
4K
low179 FPS203 FPS
medium163 FPS186 FPS
high155 FPS158 FPS
ultra136 FPS127 FPS
League of Legends

League of Legends

PresetCore i7-13850HXEPYC 7303P
1080p
low647 FPS644 FPS
medium530 FPS526 FPS
high467 FPS469 FPS
ultra405 FPS411 FPS
1440p
low590 FPS499 FPS
medium491 FPS406 FPS
high427 FPS356 FPS
ultra370 FPS310 FPS
4K
low433 FPS368 FPS
medium373 FPS286 FPS
high338 FPS244 FPS
ultra289 FPS197 FPS
Valorant

Valorant

PresetCore i7-13850HXEPYC 7303P
1080p
low910 FPS885 FPS
medium851 FPS806 FPS
high735 FPS696 FPS
ultra660 FPS610 FPS
1440p
low799 FPS696 FPS
medium712 FPS608 FPS
high615 FPS521 FPS
ultra542 FPS446 FPS
4K
low548 FPS498 FPS
medium497 FPS445 FPS
high444 FPS390 FPS
ultra388 FPS337 FPS

Technical Specifications

Side-by-side comparison of Core i7-13850HX and EPYC 7303P

Intel

Core i7-13850HX

The Core i7-13850HX is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 4 January 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture. It features 20 cores and 28 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 5.3 GHz. L3 cache: 30 MB (total). L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1964. Thermal design power (TDP): 55 Watt. Memory support: DDR4, DDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 36,409 points. Launch price was $428.

AMD

EPYC 7303P

The EPYC 7303P is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 5 September 2023 (2 years ago). It is based on the Milan (2021−2023) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.4 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 130 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 36,487 points. Launch price was $594.

Processing Power

The Core i7-13850HX packs 20 cores / 28 threads, while the EPYC 7303P offers 16 cores / 32 threads — the Core i7-13850HX has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.3 GHz on the Core i7-13850HX versus 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303P — a 43.7% clock advantage for the Core i7-13850HX (base: 2.1 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The Core i7-13850HX uses the Raptor Lake-HX (2023) architecture (Intel 7 nm), while the EPYC 7303P uses Milan (2021−2023) (7 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-13850HX scores 36,409 against the EPYC 7303P's 36,487 — a 0.2% lead for the EPYC 7303P. L3 cache: 30 MB (total) on the Core i7-13850HX vs 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303P.

FeatureCore i7-13850HXEPYC 7303P
Cores / Threads
20 / 28+25%
16 / 32
Boost Clock
5.3 GHz+56%
3.4 GHz
Base Clock
2.1 GHz
2.4 GHz+14%
L3 Cache
30 MB (total)
64 MB (total)+113%
L2 Cache
2 MB (per core)+300%
512 kB (per core)
Process
Intel 7 nm
7 nm
Architecture
Raptor Lake-HX (2023)
Milan (2021−2023)
PassMark
36,409
36,487
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core i7-13850HX uses the FCBGA1964 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 7303P uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches 5600 on the Core i7-13850HX versus 3200 on the EPYC 7303P — the Core i7-13850HX supports 54.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7303P supports up to 4096 of RAM compared to 192 182.1% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core i7-13850HX) vs 8 (EPYC 7303P). PCIe lanes: 20 (Core i7-13850HX) vs 128 (EPYC 7303P) — the EPYC 7303P offers 108 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Raptor Lake-HX (Core i7-13850HX) and SP3 (EPYC 7303P).

FeatureCore i7-13850HXEPYC 7303P
Socket
FCBGA1964
SP3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
5600+75%
3200
Max RAM Capacity
192
4096+2033%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
20
128+540%
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Core i7-13850HX has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Both support AVX-512 instructions, benefiting scientific computing, AI inference, and encryption workloads. Virtualization support: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-13850HX) vs AMD-V, IOMMU (EPYC 7303P). The Core i7-13850HX includes integrated graphics (Intel UHD Graphics), while the EPYC 7303P requires a dedicated GPU. Direct competitor: Core i7-13850HX rivals Ryzen 7 8845HS; EPYC 7303P rivals Xeon Gold 6330.

FeatureCore i7-13850HXEPYC 7303P
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Intel UHD Graphics
None
Unlocked
Yes
No
AVX-512
Yes
Yes
Virtualization
VT-x, VT-d
AMD-V, IOMMU