Core Ultra 9 285 vs EPYC 7552

Intel

Core Ultra 9 285

24 Cores24 Thrd65 WWMax: 5.5 GHz2025
VS
AMD

EPYC 7552

48 Cores96 Thrd200 WWMax: 3.3 GHz2019

Core Ultra 9 285 vs EPYC 7552 Performance Spectrum

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.

Core Ultra 9 285 vs EPYC 7552 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core Ultra 9 285 vs EPYC 7552: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core Ultra 9 285

2025

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +38.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…Costs $3,436 less on MSRP ($589 MSRP vs $4,025 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 583.7% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 97.5 vs 14.3 PassMark/$ ($589 MSRP vs $4,025 MSRP).
  • βœ…Draws 65W instead of 200W, a 135W reduction.
  • βœ…Newer platform on LGA1851 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 192 MB).
  • ❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7552, which brings 48 cores / 96 threads and 128 PCIe lanes.

EPYC 7552

2019

Why buy it

  • βœ…+433.3% larger total L3 cache (192 MB vs 36 MB).
  • βœ…Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 48 cores / 96 threads, plus 128 PCIe lanes vs 24.
  • βœ…433.3% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 24) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Core Ultra 9 285 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Lower PassMark (57,414 vs 57,442).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 14.3 vs 97.5 PassMark/$ ($4,025 MSRP vs $589 MSRP).
  • ❌207.7% higher power demand at 200W vs 65W.
  • ❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Core Ultra 9 285 moves to LGA1851 and DDR5.

Quick Answers

So, is Core Ultra 9 285 better than EPYC 7552?
Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7552 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core Ultra 9 285 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Core Ultra 9 285 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 38.6% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core Ultra 9 285 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 24 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Core Ultra 9 285 is the better buy right now. Core Ultra 9 285 comes in $3,436 cheaper on MSRP at $589 MSRP versus $4,025 MSRP, and it still gives you a 38.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 583.7% better value on MSRP (97.5 vs 14.3 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Core Ultra 9 285 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2025 vs 2019), a healthier platform with LGA1851 and DDR5 instead of SP3, and more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 24 threads instead of 48/96. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

Core Ultra 9 285 vs EPYC 7552 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Intel

Core Ultra 9 285

The Core Ultra 9 285 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in Janeiro 2025 (recentemente). It is based on the Arrow Lake-S (2024βˆ’2025) architecture. It features 24 cores and 24 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 5.5 GHz. L3 cache: 36 MB (total). L2 cache: 3 MB (per core). Built on 3 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1851. Thermal design power (TDP): 65 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-6400. Passmark benchmark score: 57,442 points. Launch price was $579.

AMD

EPYC 7552

The EPYC 7552 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017βˆ’2020) architecture. It features 48 cores and 96 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 3.3 GHz. L3 cache: 192 MB (total). L2 cache: 512 kB (per core). Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 200 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 57,414 points. Launch price was $4,025.

⚑

Processing Power

The Core Ultra 9 285 packs 24 cores / 24 threads, while the EPYC 7552 offers 48 cores / 96 threads β€” the EPYC 7552 has 24 more cores. Boost clocks reach 5.5 GHz on the Core Ultra 9 285 versus 3.3 GHz on the EPYC 7552 β€” a 50% clock advantage for the Core Ultra 9 285 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The Core Ultra 9 285 uses the Arrow Lake-S (2024βˆ’2025) architecture (3 nm), while the EPYC 7552 uses Zen 2 (2017βˆ’2020) (7 nm, 14 nm). In PassMark, the Core Ultra 9 285 scores 57,442 against the EPYC 7552's 57,414 β€” a 0% lead for the Core Ultra 9 285. L3 cache: 36 MB (total) on the Core Ultra 9 285 vs 192 MB (total) on the EPYC 7552.

FeatureCore Ultra 9 285EPYC 7552
Cores / Threads
24 / 24
48 / 96+100%
Boost Clock
5.5 GHz+67%
3.3 GHz
Base Clock
2.5 GHz+14%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
36 MB (total)
192 MB (total)+433%
L2 Cache
3 MB (per core)+500%
512 kB (per core)
Process
3 nm-57%
7 nm, 14 nm
Architecture
Arrow Lake-S (2024βˆ’2025)
Zen 2 (2017βˆ’2020)
PassMark
57,442
57,414
Cinebench R23 Multi
40,000
β€”
Geekbench 6 Single
3,000
β€”
Geekbench 6 Multi
20,000
β€”
🧠

Memory & Platform

The Core Ultra 9 285 uses the LGA1851 socket (PCIe 5.0), while the EPYC 7552 uses SP3 (PCIe 4.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR5-6400 on the Core Ultra 9 285 versus 3200 on the EPYC 7552 β€” the Core Ultra 9 285 supports 100% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7552 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 192 GB β€” 2033.3% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 2 (Core Ultra 9 285) vs 8 (EPYC 7552). PCIe lanes: 24 (Core Ultra 9 285) vs 128 (EPYC 7552) β€” the EPYC 7552 offers 104 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: Intel 800 Series (Core Ultra 9 285) and SP3 (EPYC 7552).

FeatureCore Ultra 9 285EPYC 7552
Socket
LGA1851
SP3
PCIe Generation
PCIe 5.0+25%
PCIe 4.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR5-6400+100%
3200
Max RAM Capacity
192 GB
4096 GB+2033%
RAM Channels
2
8+300%
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
24
128+433%
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: Yes (Core Ultra 9 285) vs VT-x, VT-d (EPYC 7552). The Core Ultra 9 285 includes integrated graphics (Arc Graphics), while the EPYC 7552 requires a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Core Ultra 9 285 targets High-End Gaming. Direct competitor: EPYC 7552 rivals Xeon Platinum 8362.

FeatureCore Ultra 9 285EPYC 7552
Integrated GPU
Yes
No
IGPU Model
Arc Graphics
None
Unlocked
No
No
AVX-512
No
No
Virtualization
Yes
VT-x, VT-d
Target Use
High-End Gaming
β€”
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the Core Ultra 9 285 was priced at $589, while the EPYC 7552 came in at $4025. On launch pricing ($589 vs $4025), Core Ultra 9 285 was $3436 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core Ultra 9 285 delivers 97.5 pts/$ vs 14.3 pts/$ for the EPYC 7552 β€” making the Core Ultra 9 285 the 149% better value option.

FeatureCore Ultra 9 285EPYC 7552
MSRP
$589-85%
$4025
Performance per Dollar
97.5+582%
14.3
Release Date
2025
2019

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