EPYC 7301 vs M2

EPYC 7301 vs M2 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7301

16 / 32

14,991

+0.4%

Ryzen AI 9 HX PRO 370

Ryzen 9 8940HX

Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Ryzen Threadripper 9960X

M2

8 / 8

14,933

0.0%

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 7301 vs M2 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 7301 vs M2: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7301

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +12.3% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Better for workstations and heavier parallel workloads: 16 cores / 32 threads.

Trade-offs

❌750% higher power demand at 170W vs 20W.
❌Older platform position on TR4 with DDR4, while M2 moves to none and DDR5.

M2

2022

Why buy it

✅Draws 20W instead of 170W, a 150W reduction.
✅Newer platform on none with DDR5 support instead of TR4 and DDR4.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than EPYC 7301 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower PassMark (14,933 vs 14,991).
❌Less compelling for workstation-style loads than EPYC 7301, which brings 16 cores / 32 threads.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7301 better than M2?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. EPYC 7301 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while M2 is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, EPYC 7301 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 12.3% 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, EPYC 7301 is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.4% better PassMark, backed by 16 cores and 32 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

EPYC 7301 still makes the most sense overall. EPYC 7301 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 12.3% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

M2 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2022 vs 2017) and a healthier platform with none and DDR5 instead of TR4. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7301 vs M2 Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7301

The EPYC 7301 is manufactured by AMD. It was released in 29 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. It features 16 cores and 32 threads. Base frequency is 2.2 GHz, with boost up to 2.7 GHz. L3 cache: 64 MB (total). L2 cache: 512K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: TR4. Thermal design power (TDP): 170 Watt. Memory support: DDR4 Eight-channel. Passmark benchmark score: 14,991 points. Launch price was $825.

M2

The M2 is manufactured by Apple. It was released in 10 June 2022 (3 years ago). It features 8 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 2.424 GHz, with boost up to 3.48 GHz. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 5 nm process technology. Socket: none. Thermal design power (TDP): 20 Watt. Memory support: LPDDR5. Passmark benchmark score: 14,933 points. Launch price was $149.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7301 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the M2 offers 8 cores / 8 threads — the EPYC 7301 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 2.7 GHz on the EPYC 7301 versus 3.48 GHz on the M2 — a 25.2% clock advantage for the M2 (base: 2.2 GHz vs 2.424 GHz). The EPYC 7301 is built on the Naples (2017−2018) architecture. In PassMark, the EPYC 7301 scores 14,991 against the M2's 14,933 — a 0.4% lead for the EPYC 7301.

Feature	EPYC 7301	M2
Cores / Threads	16 / 32+100%	8 / 8
Boost Clock	2.7 GHz	3.48 GHz+29%
Base Clock	2.2 GHz	2.424 GHz+10%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)	—
L2 Cache	512K (per core)+2460%	20 MB
Process	14 nm	5 nm-64%
Architecture	Naples (2017−2018)	—
PassMark	14,991	14,933