EPYC 7303 vs Xeon w3-2525

CPU

GPU

EPYC 7303

16 Cores32 Thrd130 WWMax: 3.4 GHz2023

EPYC family

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Xeon w3-2525

8 Cores16 Thrd175 WWMax: 4.5 GHz2024

Similar parts

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EPYC 7303 vs Xeon w3-2525 Performance Spectrum

EPYC 7303

16 / 32

28,572

0.0%

Ryzen Threadripper 3990X

Ryzen Threadripper PRO 9965WX

Xeon w3-2525

8 / 16

28,641

+0.2%

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 w3-2525 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 w3-2525: 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

✅+184.4% larger total L3 cache (64 MB vs 23 MB).
✅Draws 130W instead of 175W, a 45W reduction.
✅100% more PCIe lanes (128 vs 64) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon w3-2525 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌Lower Geekbench multi-core (11,000 vs 15,000).
❌Older platform position on SP3 with DDR4, while Xeon w3-2525 moves to LGA4677 and DDR5.

Xeon w3-2525

2024

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +19.7% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Newer platform on LGA4677 with DDR5 support instead of SP3 and DDR4.
✅AVX-512 support for select workstation, AI, and scientific workloads.

Trade-offs

❌Smaller total L3 cache (23 MB vs 64 MB).
❌Launch MSRP is still $609 MSRP, while EPYC 7303 mostly shows up through inconsistent older-market listings.
❌34.6% higher power demand at 175W vs 130W.

Quick Answers

So, is Xeon w3-2525 better than EPYC 7303?

Yes. Xeon w3-2525 is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 19.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data, 36.4% better Geekbench multi-core, 0.2% higher 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 w3-2525 is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 19.7% 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 w3-2525 is the stronger fit. You are getting 36.4% better Geekbench multi-core, backed by 8 cores and 16 threads.

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

Xeon w3-2525 is the better buy right now. Xeon w3-2525 comes in at an unclear MSRP at $609 MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 19.7% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 100.0% better value on MSRP (47.0 vs 0.0 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

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

Xeon w3-2525 makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2024 vs 2023), a healthier platform with LGA4677 and DDR5 instead of SP3, more multi-core headroom with 8 cores / 16 threads instead of 16/32, and AVX-512 support for heavier modern compute workloads. That gives you a healthier platform runway for motherboard, RAM, and later CPU upgrades.

EPYC 7303 vs Xeon w3-2525 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 w3-2525

The Xeon w3-2525 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 24 August 2024 (1 year ago). It is based on the Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) architecture. It features 8 cores and 16 threads. Base frequency is 3.5 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 22.5 MB. L2 cache: 2 MB (per core). Built on Intel 7 nm process technology. Socket: LGA4677. Thermal design power (TDP): 175 Watt. Memory support: DDR5-4400. Passmark benchmark score: 28,641 points. Launch price was $609.

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Processing Power

The EPYC 7303 packs 16 cores / 32 threads, while the Xeon w3-2525 offers 8 cores / 16 threads — the EPYC 7303 has 8 more cores. Boost clocks reach 3.4 GHz on the EPYC 7303 versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon w3-2525 — a 27.8% clock advantage for the Xeon w3-2525 (base: 2.4 GHz vs 3.5 GHz). The EPYC 7303 uses the Milan (2021−2023) architecture (7 nm), while the Xeon w3-2525 uses Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024) (Intel 7 nm). In PassMark, the EPYC 7303 scores 28,572 against the Xeon w3-2525's 28,641 — a 0.2% lead for the Xeon w3-2525. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 1,960 vs 2,000, a 2% lead for the Xeon w3-2525 that directly translates to higher frame rates. Multi-core Geekbench: 11,000 vs 15,000 (30.8% advantage for the Xeon w3-2525). L3 cache: 64 MB (total) on the EPYC 7303 vs 22.5 MB on the Xeon w3-2525.

Feature	EPYC 7303	Xeon w3-2525
Cores / Threads	16 / 32+100%	8 / 16
Boost Clock	3.4 GHz	4.5 GHz+32%
Base Clock	2.4 GHz	3.5 GHz+46%
L3 Cache	64 MB (total)+184%	22.5 MB
L2 Cache	512 kB (per core)	2 MB (per core)+300%
Process	7 nm	Intel 7 nm
Architecture	Milan (2021−2023)	Sapphire Rapids (2023−2024)
PassMark	28,572	28,641
Cinebench R23 Multi	18,000	—
Geekbench 6 Single	1,960	2,000+2%
Geekbench 6 Multi	11,000	15,000+36%

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Memory & Platform

The EPYC 7303 uses the SP3 socket (PCIe 4.0), while the Xeon w3-2525 uses LGA4677 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard. Maximum memory speed reaches DDR4-3200 on the EPYC 7303 versus DDR5-4400 on the Xeon w3-2525 — the Xeon w3-2525 supports 37.5% faster memory, which can translate to measurable gains in memory-sensitive workloads. The Xeon w3-2525 supports up to 2 TB of RAM compared to 204 GB — 903.9% more capacity for professional workloads. Memory channels: 8 (EPYC 7303) vs 4 (Xeon w3-2525). PCIe lanes: 128 (EPYC 7303) vs 64 (Xeon w3-2525) — the EPYC 7303 offers 64 more lanes for additional GPUs or NVMe drives. Chipset compatibility: SP3 platform (EPYC 7303) and W790 (Xeon w3-2525).

Feature	EPYC 7303	Xeon w3-2525
Socket	SP3	LGA4677
PCIe Generation	PCIe 4.0	PCIe 5.0+25%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-3200	DDR5-4400+38%
Max RAM Capacity	204 GB	2 TB+904%
RAM Channels	8+100%	4
ECC Support	Yes	Yes
PCIe Lanes	128+100%	64

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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 w3-2525 supports AVX-512 instructions — important for machine learning and scientific applications. Virtualization support: AMD-V, SVM (EPYC 7303) vs VT-x, VT-d (Xeon w3-2525). Primary use case: EPYC 7303 targets High-frequency Server Workloads, Xeon w3-2525 targets Workstation. Direct competitor: EPYC 7303 rivals Xeon Gold 6334; Xeon w3-2525 rivals Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7945WX.