EPYC 7261 vs Xeon E5-4627 v3

AMD

EPYC 7261

8 Cores16 Thrd155 WWMax: 2.9 GHz2018
VS
Intel

Xeon E5-4627 v3

10 Cores10 Thrd135 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2015

EPYC 7261 vs Xeon E5-4627 v3 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.

EPYC 7261 vs Xeon E5-4627 v3 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.

EPYC 7261 vs Xeon E5-4627 v3: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7261

2018

Why buy it

  • βœ…Better for gaming: +9.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • βœ…+28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
  • βœ…Costs $1,724 less on MSRP ($501 MSRP vs $2,225 MSRP).
  • βœ…Delivers 336.5% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 22.3 vs 5.1 PassMark/$ ($501 MSRP vs $2,225 MSRP).

Trade-offs

  • ❌Lower PassMark (11,149 vs 11,344).

Xeon E5-4627 v3

2015

Why buy it

  • βœ…+1.7% higher PassMark.
  • βœ…Draws 135W instead of 155W, a 20W reduction.
  • βœ…100+% more PCIe lanes (40 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • ❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7261 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • ❌Smaller total L3 cache (25 MB vs 32 MB).
  • ❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 5.1 vs 22.3 PassMark/$ ($2,225 MSRP vs $501 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7261 better than Xeon E5-4627 v3?
It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 7261 is ahead with a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4627 v3 pulls ahead with 1.7% better PassMark. EPYC 7261 also has the bigger cache pool with 28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB).
Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?
For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon E5-4627 v3 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.7% better PassMark, backed by 10 cores and 10 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
EPYC 7261 is the better buy right now. EPYC 7261 comes in $1,724 cheaper on MSRP at $501 MSRP versus $2,225 MSRP, and it still gives you a 9.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon E5-4627 v3 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 1.7% better PassMark. It is also 336.5% better value on MSRP (22.3 vs 5.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
EPYC 7261 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2018 vs 2015) and 28% larger total L3 cache (32 MB vs 25 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

EPYC 7261 vs Xeon E5-4627 v3 Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7261

The EPYC 7261 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Naples (2017βˆ’2018) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 2.5 GHz, with boost up to 2.9 GHz. L3 cache: 32 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 170 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 11,149 points. Launch price was $800.

Intel

Xeon E5-4627 v3

The Xeon E5-4627 v3 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2015-01-01. It is based on the Haswell-EP (2014βˆ’2015) architecture. It features 10 cores and 10 threads. Base frequency is 2.6 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 25 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2011. Thermal design power (TDP): 135 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 11,344 points. Launch price was $800.

⚑

Processing Power

The EPYC 7261 packs 8 cores / 16 threads, while the Xeon E5-4627 v3 offers 10 cores / 10 threads β€” the Xeon E5-4627 v3 has 2 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.9 GHz on the EPYC 7261 versus 3.2 GHz on the Xeon E5-4627 v3 β€” a 9.8% clock advantage for the Xeon E5-4627 v3 (base: 2.5 GHz vs 2.6 GHz). The EPYC 7261 uses the Naples (2017βˆ’2018) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E5-4627 v3 uses Haswell-EP (2014βˆ’2015) (22 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7261 scores 11,149 against the Xeon E5-4627 v3's 11,344 β€” a 1.7% lead for the Xeon E5-4627 v3. L3 cache: 32 MB (total) on the EPYC 7261 vs 25 MB (total) on the Xeon E5-4627 v3.

FeatureEPYC 7261Xeon E5-4627 v3
Cores / Threads
8 / 16
10 / 10+25%
Boost Clock
2.9 GHz
3.2 GHz+10%
Base Clock
2.5 GHz
2.6 GHz+4%
L3 Cache
32 MB (total)+28%
25 MB (total)
L2 Cache
512K (per core)+100%
256K (per core)
Process
14 nm-36%
22 nm
Architecture
Naples (2017βˆ’2018)
Haswell-EP (2014βˆ’2015)
PassMark
11,149
11,344+2%
Geekbench 6 Single
β€”
970
Geekbench 6 Multi
β€”
6,500
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7261 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon E5-4627 v3 uses LGA2011 (PCIe 3.0) β€” making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

FeatureEPYC 7261Xeon E5-4627 v3
Socket
SP3
LGA2011
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
β€”
DDR4-2133
Max RAM Capacity
β€”
768 GB
RAM Channels
β€”
4
ECC Support
β€”
Yes
PCIe Lanes
β€”
40
πŸ”§

Advanced Features

Virtualization: not specified (EPYC 7261) / Yes (Xeon E5-4627 v3).

FeatureEPYC 7261Xeon E5-4627 v3
Integrated GPU
β€”
No
AVX-512
β€”
No
Virtualization
β€”
Yes
πŸ’°

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7261 was priced at $501, while the Xeon E5-4627 v3 came in at $2225. On launch pricing ($501 vs $2225), EPYC 7261 was $1724 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7261 delivers 22.3 pts/$ vs 5.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E5-4627 v3 β€” making the EPYC 7261 the 125.4% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7261Xeon E5-4627 v3
MSRP
$501-77%
$2225
Performance per Dollar
22.3+337%
5.1
Release Date
2018
2015

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