EPYC 7303 vs Xeon Platinum 8160

EPYC 7303 vs Xeon Platinum 8160 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7303

16 / 32

28,572

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Xeon Platinum 8160

24 / 48

28,989

+1.5%

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 Platinum 8160 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 Platinum 8160: 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

✅+93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 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 PassMark (28,572 vs 28,989).
❌No AVX-512 support for niche heavy compute workloads where it can matter.

Xeon Platinum 8160

2017

Why buy it

✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (33 MB vs 64 MB).
❌15.4% higher power demand at 150W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon Platinum 8160 better than EPYC 7303?

Yes. Xeon Platinum 8160 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 1.5% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Xeon Platinum 8160 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 2.4% 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 Platinum 8160 is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.5% better PassMark, backed by 24 cores and 48 threads.

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

Xeon Platinum 8160 still makes the most sense overall. Xeon Platinum 8160 comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 2.4% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

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 93.9% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 33 MB). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

EPYC 7303 vs Xeon Platinum 8160 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 Platinum 8160

The Xeon Platinum 8160 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 24 cores and 48 threads. Base frequency is 2.1 GHz, with boost up to 3.7 GHz. L3 cache: 33 MB. L2 cache: 24 MB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA3647. Thermal design power (TDP): 150 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2666. Passmark benchmark score: 28,989 points. Launch price was $4,702.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7303 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon Platinum 8160 offers 24 cores / 48 threads — the Xeon Platinum 8160 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303 versus 3.7 GHz on the Xeon Platinum 8160 — a 8.5% clock advantage for the Xeon Platinum 8160 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 2.1 GHz). The EPYC 7303 uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon Platinum 8160 uses Skylake (server) (2017−2018) (14 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7303 scores 28,572 against the Xeon Platinum 8160's 28,989 — a 1.4% lead for the Xeon Platinum 8160. L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303 vs 33 MB on the Xeon Platinum 8160.

Feature	EPYC 7303	Xeon Platinum 8160
Cores / Threads	16 / 32	24 / 48+50%
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	3.7 GHz+9%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz+14%	2.1 GHz
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+94%	33 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	24 MB+4700%
Process	7 nm-50%	14 nm
Architecture	Milan (2021−2023)	Skylake (server) (2017−2018)
PassMark	28,572	28,989+1%
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,960	—
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,000	—

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7303 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon Platinum 8160 uses LGA3647 (PCIe 3.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7303 versus 2666 on the Xeon Platinum 8160 — the EPYC 7303 supports 20% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon Platinum 8160 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 Platinum 8160). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7303) vs 48 (Xeon Platinum 8160) — the EPYC 7303 offers 80 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 platform (EPYC 7303) and C621 (Xeon Platinum 8160).

Feature	EPYC 7303	Xeon Platinum 8160
Socket	SP3	LGA3647
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0+33%	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200+20%	2666
Max RAM Capacity	204 GB	768 GB+276%
RAM Channels	8+33%	6
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+167%	48

🔧

Advanced Features

Only the EPYC 7303 has an unlocked multiplier for overclocking — a significant advantage for enthusiasts seeking extra performance. Only the Xeon Platinum 8160 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7303) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon Platinum 8160). Primary use case: EPYC 7303 targets High-frequency Server Workloads. Direct competitor: EPYC 7303 rivals Xeon Gold 6334; Xeon Platinum 8160 rivals EPYC 7451.