EPYC 7282 vs Xeon Gold 5220R

AMD

EPYC 7282

16 Cores32 Thrd120 WWMax: 3.2 GHz2019
EPYC family
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VS
Intel

Xeon Gold 5220R

24 Cores48 Thrd150 WWMax: 4 GHz2020
Similar parts
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EPYC 7282 vs Xeon Gold 5220R 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 7282 vs Xeon Gold 5220R 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 7282 vs Xeon Gold 5220R: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7282

2019

Why buy it

  • +79% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 36 MB).
  • Costs $1,130 less on MSRP ($650 MSRP vs $1,780 MSRP).
  • Delivers 172.3% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 46.5 vs 17.1 PassMark/$ ($650 MSRP vs $1,780 MSRP).
  • Draws 120W instead of 150W, a 30W reduction.
  • 166.7% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

  • Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon Gold 5220R across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • Lower PassMark (30,201 vs 30,372).
  • No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 5220R

2020

Why buy it

  • Better for gaming: +6.1% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
  • AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

  • Smaller total L3 cache (36 MB vs 64 MB).
  • Lower PassMark per dollar, at 17.1 vs 46.5 PassMark/$ ($1,780 MSRP vs $650 MSRP).
  • 25% higher power demand at 150W vs 120W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Gold 5220R better than EPYC 7282?
Yes. Xeon Gold 5220R is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 0.6% better PassMark, and the stronger long-term platform, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.
Which one is better for gaming?
If gaming is the priority, Xeon Gold 5220R is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 6.1% 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, Xeon Gold 5220R is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.6% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.
Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?
Xeon Gold 5220R is still the faster CPU overall, but EPYC 7282 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. Xeon Gold 5220R comes in 173.8% more expensive on MSRP at $1,780 MSRP versus $650 MSRP, and it still gives you a 6.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. EPYC 7282 is also 172.3% better value on MSRP (46.5 vs 17.1 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.
Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?
Xeon Gold 5220R makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2020 vs 2019), more multi-core headroom with 24 cores / 48 threads instead of 16/32, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

EPYC 7282 vs Xeon Gold 5220R Technical Specifications

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

AMD

EPYC 7282

The EPYC 7282 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 7 August 2019 (6 years ago). It is based on the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.8 GHz, with boost up to 3.2 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB. L2 cache: 8 MB. Built on 7 nm, 14 nm process technology. Socket: SP3. Thermal design power (TDP): 120 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 30,201 points. Launch price was $650.

Intel

Xeon Gold 5220R

The Xeon Gold 5220R is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 February 2020 (5 years ago). It is based on the Cascade Lake (2019−2020) architecture. It features 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 4 GHz. L3 cache: 35.75 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2667. Passmark benchmark score: 30,372 points. Launch price was $1,555.

Processing Power

The EPYC 7282 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 5220R offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Gold 5220R has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.2 GHz on the EPYC 7282 versus 4 GHz on the Xeon Gold 5220R — a 22.2% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 5220R (base: 2.8 GHz vs 2.2 GHz). The EPYC 7282 uses the Zen 2 (2017−2020) architecture (7 nm, 14 nm), while the Xeon Gold 5220R uses Cascade Lake (2019−2020) (14 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7282 scores 30,201 against the Xeon Gold 5220R's 30,372 — a 0.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 5220R. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,086 vs 1,327, a 20% lead for the Xeon Gold 5220R that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 64 MB on the EPYC 7282 vs 35.75 MB on the Xeon Gold 5220R.

FeatureEPYC 7282Xeon Gold 5220R
Cores / Threads
16 / 32
24 / 48+50%
Boost Clock
3.2 GHz
4 GHz+25%
Base Clock
2.8 GHz+27%
2.2 GHz
L3 Cache
64 MB+79%
35.75 MB
L2 Cache
8 MB
24 MB+200%
Process
7 nm, 14 nm-50%
14 nm
Architecture
Zen 2 (2017−2020)
Cascade Lake (2019−2020)
PassMark
30,201
30,372
Cinebench R23 Multi
13,500
Geekbench 6 Single
1,086
1,327+22%
Geekbench 6 Multi
7,638
🧠

Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7282 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 5220R uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7282 versus DDR4-2667 on the Xeon Gold 5220R — the EPYC 7282 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The EPYC 7282 supports up to 4096 GB of RAM compared to 1024 GB 300% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7282) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 5220R). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7282) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 5220R) — the EPYC 7282 offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3,Rome (EPYC 7282) and C620 (Xeon Gold 5220R).

FeatureEPYC 7282Xeon Gold 5220R
Socket
SP3
LGA3647
PCIe Generation
PCIe 4.0+33%
PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed
DDR4-3200+20%
DDR4-2667
Max RAM Capacity
4096 GB+300%
1024 GB
RAM Channels
8+33%
6
ECC Support
Yes
Yes
PCIe Lanes
128+167%
48
🔧

Advanced Features

Only the Xeon Gold 5220R supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SEV (EPYC 7282) vs Yes (Xeon Gold 5220R). Primary use case: EPYC 7282 targets Edge Server / Entry Server. Direct competitor: EPYC 7282 rivals Xeon Silver 4216.

FeatureEPYC 7282Xeon Gold 5220R
Integrated GPU
No
No
Unlocked
No
AVX-512
No
Yes
Virtualization
AMD-V, SEV
Yes
Target Use
Edge Server / Entry Server
💰

Value Analysis

At launch, the EPYC 7282 was priced at $650, while the Xeon Gold 5220R came in at $1780. On launch pricing ($650 vs $1780), EPYC 7282 was $1130 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the EPYC 7282 delivers 46.5 pts/$ vs 17.1 pts/$ for the Xeon Gold 5220R — making the EPYC 7282 the 92.6% better value option.

FeatureEPYC 7282Xeon Gold 5220R
MSRP
$650-63%
$1780
Performance per Dollar
46.5+172%
17.1
Release Date
2019
2020

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