EPYC 7303 vs Xeon Gold 6148

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7303

16 Cores32 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

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Xeon Gold 6148

20 Cores40 Thrd150 WWMax: 3.7 GHz2017

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EPYC 7303 vs Xeon Gold 6148 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7303

16 / 32

28,572

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Xeon Gold 6148

20 / 40

29,021

+1.6%

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 7303 vs Xeon Gold 6148 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 7303 vs Xeon Gold 6148: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

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

EPYC 7303

2023

Why buy it

✅+56.3% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.
✅+132.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 28 MB).
✅Draws 130W instead of 150W, a 20W reduction.
✅166.7% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 48) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Cinebench R23 multi-core (18,000 vs 18,500).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Gold 6148

2017

Why buy it

✅+2.8% higher Cinebench R23 multi-core.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (1,254 vs 1,960).
❌Smaller total L3 cache (28 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $3,072 MSRP, while EPYC 7303 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌15.4% higher power demand at 150W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is EPYC 7303 better than Xeon Gold 6148?

It depends on what you want from the system. For gaming, EPYC 7303 is ahead with a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. For rendering, compiling, streaming, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6148 pulls ahead with 2.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. EPYC 7303 also has the bigger cache pool with 132.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 28 MB).

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Xeon Gold 6148 is the stronger fit. You are getting 2.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core, backed by 20 cores and 40 threads.

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

EPYC 7303 is still the faster CPU overall, but Xeon Gold 6148 is easier to justify if budget matters more than peak performance. EPYC 7303 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus $3,072 MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.2% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. The compromise is that Xeon Gold 6148 is still stronger for heavier multi-core work with 2.8% better Cinebench R23 multi-core. Xeon Gold 6148 is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (9.4 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), which is why it can still make sense for tighter-budget builds on paper.

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

EPYC 7303 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2023 vs 2017) and 132.7% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 28 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

EPYC 7303 vs Xeon Gold 6148 Technical Specifications

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

EPYC 7303

The EPYC 7303 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: 28,572 points. Launch price was $604.

Xeon Gold 6148

The Xeon Gold 6148 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 25 April 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Skylake (server) (2017−2018) architecture. It features 20 cores and 40 threads. Base frequency is 2.4 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 27.5 MB. L2 cache: 20 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 29,021 points. Launch price was $3,072.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7303 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Gold 6148 offers 20 cores / 40 threads — the Xeon Gold 6148 has 4 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Gold 6148 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Xeon Gold 6148 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.4 GHz). The EPYC 7303 uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Gold 6148 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7303 scores 28,572 against the Xeon Gold 6148's 29,021 — a 1.6% lead for the Xeon Gold 6148. Cinebench R23 multi-core: 18,000 vs 18,500 (2.7% advantage for the Xeon Gold 6148). Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,960 vs 1,254, a 43.9% lead for the EPYC 7303 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,000 vs 9,445 (15.2% advantage for the EPYC 7303). L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303 vs 27.5 MB on the Xeon Gold 6148.

Feature	EPYC 7303	Xeon Gold 6148
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	20 / 40+25%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	2.4 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+133%	27.5 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	20 MB+3900%
Process	7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Milan (2021−2023)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	28,572	29,021+2%
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,000	18,500+3%
Geekbench 6 Single	1,960+56%	1,254
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,000+16%	9,445

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7303 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Gold 6148 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7303 versus DDR4-2666 on the Xeon Gold 6148 — the EPYC 7303 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Gold 6148 supports up to 768 GB of RAM compared to 204 GB — 276.5% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7303) vs 6 (Xeon Gold 6148). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7303) vs 48 (Xeon Gold 6148) — the EPYC 7303 offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 platform (EPYC 7303) and C620 (Xeon Gold 6148).

Feature	EPYC 7303	Xeon Gold 6148
Socket	SP3	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	DDR4-2666
Max RAM Capacity	204 GB	768 GB+276%
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+167%	48

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Advanced Features

Only the EPYC 7303 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Gold 6148 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7303) vs VT-x, VT-d, EPT (Xeon Gold 6148). Primary use case: EPYC 7303 targets High-frequency Server Workloads, Xeon Gold 6148 targets Legacy Enterprise Workloads. Direct competitor: EPYC 7303 rivals Xeon Gold 6334; Xeon Gold 6148 rivals EPYC 7401.

Feature	EPYC 7303	Xeon Gold 6148
Integrated GPU	No	No
Unlocked	Yes	No
AVX-512	No	Yes
Virtualization	AMD-V, SVM	VT-x, VT-d, EPT
Target Use	High-frequency Server Workloads	Legacy Enterprise Workloads